Michael Aswell

picks the man he can "count on" for volume

A forward-walking volume striker who mostly works a one-two early and adds combinations as he gains confidence, countering immediately after being hit. His own striking defense is weak because he is constantly throwing, but he is credited with real toughness. His grappling is solid: decent takedown defense, trouble on a second takedown attempt, but good at working back to his feet and staying upright during his own ground-and-pound.

Declarative pick, with no method caveat: "Aswell should win."

Built around relentless forward pressure and output: a constant one-two backed by a jab rangefinder, with other combinations mixed in and real counter-punching when hit. That same always-throwing style leaves his own striking defense poor, but a sturdy chin and shown durability let him absorb shots without it mattering yet. His grappling is secondary; he stays on top of ground and pound rather than committing into guard, and his takedown defense is called decent.

backs Aswell as live underdog

A high-volume boxer who pumps the jab to find range before piling on hooks and uppercuts, with decent power and an unusual trait: he counters through punches rather than slipping them. He is durable, having absorbed a 'mountain of shots' from a hard hitter in a higher weight class and kept coming, with decent grappling, decent takedown defense, good submission defense, and a quick return to his feet off a second-effort takedown. Good cardio lets him sustain his pace from the opening bell.

He states plainly this will be 'an Asbell showcase', predicts Aswell overwhelms and finishes Almeida later in the fight -- no qualifier on the win itself, only on the method and round.

Solid, boxing-heavy striker who probes behind the jab before layering in a steady one-two and expanding into fuller combinations as rounds progress; carries real pop, is willing to counter, but eats a lot of return fire simply from being so busy on offense, and his general defense is a clear hole -- though he is durable, having moved up in weight and withstood heavier men's power before. Decent grappler: he hesitates to fully commit on top after a takedown, which cuts against getting smothered from guard; his first-shot takedown defense holds but a sustained, repeated attempt tends to break it. Regains his feet well and his submission defense is solid. His gas tank and output level are the real selling points.