Natan Levy

States plainly that Davis takes this one, with a small acknowledged-uncertainty hedge about Levy's layoff that doesn't rise to a real conceded route for Levy.

Good striker with a karate-style stance, long rangy kicks and clean straight punches, but with little for hooks/uppercuts once a fight reaches the pocket, and short on real power. Prefers grappling even though the analyst rates his striking as the stronger of his two games. Good at takedowns (single leg his best) with quick transitions and decent top pressure, but coming off a long, unwanted layoff against a clear step up.

Commits plainly, saying Levy handles this "no problem," but admits outright he has "no clue" about Rodriguez's ground game -- a genuine gap in the read rather than a hedge on the win itself.

A karate-background striker who has become more of a grappler than a striker in the cage. His kicks are flashy but light on power, and his hooks are inconsistent, though his straight shots and inside counter-hook are both credited as good. On the ground he carries a large toolbox and transitions quickly, most often working from a single-leg into side control via a guard-pull. The pick: he takes Levy's takedowns and ground work, plus kicks at range to keep Rodriguez from closing distance and landing his power.

States plainly that Levy should win, calling him safe enough to anchor a parlay, off an asymmetric mechanism (range control, superior counter striking, superior grappling/wrestling) with no weakness named that threatens the win. He separately recommends also playing Rodriguez's round-one knockout prop and says he will 'play Both Sides' -- recorded as wager/parlay-hedging strategy, not an outcome qualifier, and not used to set the grade.

Good striking built around karate-style kicks to control range, with nice straight shots and good, well-timed counters -- hooks are the one weak link. Low raw power. Oddly for a karate background, the analyst rates him the better grappler of the two: a large toolbox, quick to jump on openings, and good wrestling anchored by a strong single-leg takedown.

says he has zero confidence in this one and will not bet it, after switching his own pick late

A karate-based striker who would rather grapple and hunt submissions than box, chasing the finish aggressively even at the cost of position. He flags that Levy tends to back up on the feet, which he worries plays into Valdez's forward pressure.