UFC Vegas 86: Hermansson vs Pyfer – 2.10.2024 – Fight Predictions and Analysis
Welcome to our collaborative coverage of UFC Vegas 86: Hermansson vs Pyfer. Las Vegas is on fire this week with fourteen fights leading into Super Bowl Sunday. Our analysis includes a pick for every bout from Dynes Sports contributors Anthony Marro and Nicholas Marro.
As coverage continues, we’ll keep our records up to date below. Be sure to check out our full reasoning for every pick though as records will not reflect confidence. We will be picking every fight, but likely only recommend betting on a select few.
Current Record
- Anthony: 21-14-0 (Last Year 307-199-6, 61%)
- Nick: 20-15-0 (Last Year 324-182-6, 64%)
*Fight odds were last updated from Bet99 on 2-9-2024 at 10pm EST
Preliminary Card- Starts 4:00pm EST
Daniel Marcos -270 vs Aoriqileng +210
- Anthony: The card today begins with bantamweights Aoriqileng and Daniel Marcos. While Marcos did struggle in his last fight with Davey Grant, a controversial decision went his way to keep secured an undefeated record. His striking is much more polished than that of Aoriqileng. He is very sound defensively with good head movement and some lethal counters. While Marcos may not hit quite as hard as Aoriqileng the power is certainly comparable. Aoriqileng keeps his head on the centerline much more than Marcos and I see him eating the first big shot in this fight. He will occasionally mix in some offensive wrestling but Marcos’ takedown defense is some of this division’s best. It is hard to feel confident betting Marcos at these odds but he’s certainly on the right side. I expect him to outclass Aoriqileng and win comfortably on the scorecards if a KO does not first materialize. Daniel Marcos by Decision
- Nick: Daniel Marcos is 15-0 professionally, coming off a narrow decision win over Davey Grant. Marcos is primarily a striker who does a good job throwing lengthy combinations. He’s a decent grappler, but on the mat he’s most content to try to work his way back to his feet (rather than try to advance position.) Eight of his professional wins have come via KO, and while he’s getting a relatively late start to his UFC career at 30-years old, it seems he’s still making major improvements from fight to fight. Aoriqileng is extremely aggressive, but when he faces highly technical strikers he sometimes puts himself in danger overexerting himself in exchanges and leaving himself open to counter shots. He throws a lot of volume, landing more than six significant strikes per minute. However, he also absorbs more than seven significant strikes per minute. He’s a kill or be killed type of fighter and his grappling is below average for the division. The line feels wide here as Marcos tends to fight to the level of his opponent, but he is the rightful favorite. He’s the sharper striker and I fully expect this fight to mostly take place on the feet. Daniel Marcos by Decision
Hyder Amil -200 vs Fernie Garcia +160
- Anthony: Next is a matchup at featherweight between Hyder Amil and Fernie Garcia. This is the UFC debut for Amil who enters the promotion at an undefeated 8-0. The 33-year-old had some tougher fights booked for this date but ultimately ended up facing a replacement in Garcia. At bantamweight Garcia went 0-3 in the promotion so perhaps a move up will yield better performances. He is a tough Mexican with good boxing, but a rather porous ground game. Garcia struggles to defend takedowns and Amil has the size and technique to control him if he does elect to grapple. Amil really does his best work pressuring forward and landing strikes. I would be happy to see him shoot for an early takedown but do not be surprised if this is a fight contested entirely on the feet. Amil’s more diverse attacks and a power advantage should give him the edge over Fernie. Hyder Amil by Decision
- Nick: Hyder Amil will be making his UFC debut here, coming off a Contender Series win over a tough out in Emrah Sonmez. He is 8-0 professionally, but getting a late start to his career as a 33-year old featherweight. He has quality experience coming into the promotion having primarily fought for Bellator and LFA. Still, it’s tough to gauge his skill level as he has yet to be tested extensively against top level competition. Amil is primarily a striker and he uses his range well. He has decent BJJ, but it’s tough to gauge how effective his grappling will be against UFC level opponents. Fernie Garcia is a pressure style boxer who does his best work on the feet. He’s a BJJ purple belt, but there is no denying he is most comfortable fighting at striking range. He is 0-3 in the UFC, and there’s a decent chance he’s fighting for his roster spot in this match-up. He fights out of a quality camp via Fortis MMA, but he’s struggled to find success at the UFC level. Amil’s forward pressure style should be difficult for Garcia to handle here. He’s going to have a major grappling advantage. He should stay a step ahead of Garcia here no matter where this one goes. Hyder Amil by Decision
Zac Pauga -120 vs Bogdan Guskov +100
- Anthony: Next is a bout at light heavyweight between Zac Pauga and Bogdan Huskov. After competing on The Ultimate Fighter at heavyweight, Pauga has started to settle into fights much better here at 205 pounds. This matchup should provide a great test in gauging the skill of both men. I deemed Guskov a can crusher prior to his UFC debut, a fight that saw him submitted in the first round by Volkan Oezdemir. He is a serious threat given his punching power but otherwise Guskov does not seem very skilled. Pauga is the more complete martial artist and I feel here he will build as this bout goes late. Guskov is often aggressive early and I think Pauga will be able to weather that early storm. The only knockout loss on Pauga’s record came against a much bigger Mohammed Usman. Zac Pauga by Round Three KO
- Nick: Zac Pauga is just 6-2 professionally, but he fights out of an excellent camp via Elevation Fight Team. He is one of the main training partners for heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes. Pagua lacks some power, but he is technically sound on the feet, he puts out decent volume, and he continues to show improvements in his grappling abilities. Bogdan Guskov is 14-3 professionally, with twelve of those fourteen wins coming via KO. As impressive as his finishing ability has been on the regional scene, he has only found marginal success against top level competition. He’s coming off a loss in his UFC debut, a brutal KO at the hands of Volkan Oezdemir. It seems he has decent BJJ, but there is no denying he looks to keep most fights on the feet. This is a relatively low level match-up which makes it a difficult fight to call. Guskov is the more potent finisher, but Pauga is the more well-rounded fighter and I expect he can weaponize his cardio here. Zac Pauga by Round Three KO
Jeremiah Wells -155 vs Max Griffin +130
- Anthony: This is a fight at welterweight between Jeremiah Wells and Max Griffin. Wells nearly extended winning streak to seven before getting finished in his last fight. Carlston Harris submitted Wells in round three, a fight that saw Wells with control for nearly ten full minutes of action. It is tough to trust Wells after falling into that anaconda choke but I will give him some credit for dominating early. I imagine that he will be looking to employ that grappling heavy attack here against Griffin. He rolls with the great team at Renzo Gracie Philly and Griffin doesn’t have the greatest takedown defense. The strong upper body of Wells may prove enough to get this fight to the mat. However, I trust the veteran Griffin to weather the early storm and stuff a few takedowns. He is the far more technical striker in this matchup and I like the value of him as a betting underdog. I think either way this ends up being a close decision. Max Griffin by Decision
- Nick: Jeremiah Wells is another fighter that likes to come out aggressive and try to end things quickly. He is 4-1 under the UFC banner and 12-3-1 professionally, most recently coming off a rough submission loss to Carlston Harris in a fight he was mostly dominated until he was caught in the third round. Wells’ defensive grappling has come a long way over his past few fights. He can be dangerous on the mat offensive, but he is certainly most content to stand and exchange on the feet. He has explosive power in both of his hands. In that loss against Harris, he overexerted himself in the first two rounds and fell victim to a depleting gas tank. Max Griffin is a well-rounded fighter, but his greatest strength is his athleticism. He has a very large frame for a welterweight and he’s shown solid strength against a variety of high level competition. He has notable wins over Carlos Condit, Tim Means, and Mike Perry. Griffin is the better technical striker in this match-up and he should be able to work behind his reach to avoid the bigger power shots from Wells. That being said, I do think Wells can carry his power into the later rounds where Griffin seems to be fading lately. A low confidence play, but I expect the favorite to get it done. He should be able to lean on his wrestling to wear on Griffin’s gas tank. Jeremiah Wells by Decision
Devin Clark -240 vs Marcin Prachnio +190
- Anthony: This is a matchup at light heavyweight between Devin Clark and Marcin Prachnio. I am interested to see these two division stalwarts clash despite neither man finding much success as of late. Both enter today coming off submission losses and defeats in 2 of their previous 3 appearances. Prachnio has fought considerably worse, starting to show his age a bit here at 35. While Prachnio had fought previously with more illusive movements and long range weapons, his offensive output has quickly declined. It appears that Prachnio is eating a lot more shots than he had in his early career and as a result, he is fighting less effectively. Clark is stronger and likely to beat Prachnio here with his physical presence and superior wrestling. He does not have to takedown Prachnio to win this fight, but I think Clark will get him down and find a finish inside of three rounds. Devin Clark by Round Two KO
- Nick: Devin Clark has some power in his strikes but his hands move slowly. As a result, his chance at a KO is generally slim against high-level competition. He does a good job slowing fights down and grinding his opponents up against the cage, but his grappling in the center of the cage (both offensively and defensively) are mediocre at best. Clark recently shifted camps to Elevation Fight Team in Colorado. Given his extensive training at high altitudes, I expect his endurance should continue to be a weapon for him moving forward. Prachnio is a decent striker at range, but he leaves himself open to counter shots. He is often there to be hit in lengthy exchanges, but at his best he does a good job fighting on the outside of the cage while circling away from the power of his opponents. Simply put, Clark should be better everywhere this one goes. His inconsistent tendencies make him difficult to back with confidence, but he is certainly the rightful favorite. I expect he can find a finish either on the feet or via ground-and-pound. Devin Clark by Round Two KO
Loma Lookboonmee -300 vs Bruna Brasil +240
- Anthony: This is a women’s strawweight fight with Loma Lookboonmee taking on Bruna Brasil. Lookboonmee has put together a great resume since joining the UFC and we are just now seeing her build into her prime. She enters this bout on a 4-1 streak having last fought at UFC 284, submitting Elise Reed. I could see Lookboonmee starting slow here in comparison to Brasil but over the course of this fight it will be evident that she is the more technical striker. Lookboonmee has excellent muay thai, doing her best work in the clinch. She is also aggressive in her pursuit of takedowns, helping lead her to victory in a lot of recent bouts. She is undersized when compared to Brasil and I believe that takedowns could come in handy here to nullify that advantage. Brasil will perform well in the first round of this bout but afterwards I expect it to be all Loma. Despite my confidence I am not sure I’ll get to the window with betting odds closing near -300. Loma Lookboonmee by Decision
- Nick: Lookboonmee is known for her advanced Muay-Thai fighting style. She’s a volume striker who throws at a consistent pace and most of her success comes exchanging in the clinch. She has shown continuous improvements at the UFC level, and she’s only lost close fights against top-level talent. Bruna Brasil is 9-3-1 professionally, with three of those wins coming via KO and two via submission. She’s coming off a decision win over Shauna Bannon, but this match-up with Lookboonmee represents a considerable step up in competition for her here. Brasil is strong with a large frame for the division. She’s shown a well-rounded skill set, and seems to make considerable improvements everytime we see her in the cage. Lookboonmee is the rightful favorite in this match-up. She has faced the higher level of competition, she’s far more experienced. The line feels wide, but I do see Lookboonmee doing enough to win at least two rounds. Loma Lookboonmee by Decision
Bolaji Oki -175 vs Timothy Cuamba +150
- Anthony: This is a short notice booking at lightweight between Bolaji Oki and Timothy Cuamba. It is the UFC debut for both fighters, each 8-1 and alumni of Dana White’s Contender Series. Oki was getting a favorable draw for his debut, set to face Damir Hadzovic here prior to the shakeup. He has performed exceptionally well in a career fighting in Europe. Oki has clean striking with exceptional skills in the clinch. I could see his length being a problem for Cuamba who is not quite as physically imposing. Cuamba does seem to have some potential with a clean resume of his own and some very good striking. However, Cuamba seems a bit underdeveloped in terms of finding his style. While he does throw his hands I do not like the cage presence that Cuamba tends to have. I do not trust him to perform here on very short notice. Bolaji Oki by Round Two KO
- Nick: We have a match-up here between two UFC debutants, with Timothy Cuamba taking this fight on less than a weeks’ notice as the replacement for Damir Hadžović. Bolaji Oki is coming off an impressive Contender Series KO of Dylan Salvador. He is 8-1 professionally with five of those wins coming via KO. He hasn’t lost a fight since his professional debut back in 2018. He’s extremely athletic, with explosive power and strength. He prefers to stand and strike and he’s shown a high-level understanding of mixing body shots into his combinations. Timothy Cuamba is also coming off a win, his being an impressive head kick KO of Michael Stack just over a week ago. Cuamba is 8-1 professionally and only 25-years old. He fights well at range and he has solid durability and cardio. Oki is going to come out aggressive and he’s very live to secure an early finish. However, if Cuamba can stay defensively sound I expect he can take over as this fight wears on. Timothy Cuamba by Decision
Carlos Prates -270 vs Trevin Giles +210
- Anthony: The featured prelim will see Carlos Prates face Trevin Giles at welterweight. Prates is a scary fighter coming from Vale Top Team. The man has won six straight fights by knockout and has tremendous size and length for this division. Giles will face this potent Brazilian striker after losing his last fight to then undefeated Brazilian grappler Gabriel Bonfim. Giles tapped inside of two minutes in that bout and clearly the promotion is not doing him favors with this matchmaking. Giles has some powerful counters that could end up getting through here but I think Prates leads the dance. He is going to hit much harder than Giles and put forth the more significant damage. Prates is quick with his jab and very creative in landing his power shots. Carlos Prates by Decision
- Nick: Carlos Prates will be making his UFC debut here, following a KO win over Mitch Ramirez on Contender Series. He is 30-years old with a 17-6 professional record. He hasn’t lost a fight since 2019, and he’s fought a decent level of competition compared to most UFC debutants. Prates is primarily a striker, with twelve of his seventeen professional wins coming via KO. He fights very loosely in his approach, he throws a lot of kicks, and his long frame can make it difficult for opponents to take him down. His striking defense seems solid, but he does move straight back at times which can leave him open to be damaged in exchanges. When he’s at his best he works well behind his jab. He fights at a torrid pace and his cardio and durability both seem quality as well. Trevin Giles is primarily a boxer. He has a powerful jab and does a good job using it to set up his power shots. As effective as he is offensively, he sometimes gets overconfident and leaves his hands down. He’s a competent grappler both offensively and defensively, but there is no denying he’s most comfortable fighting on the feet. He has notable wins over Roman Dolidze, James Krause, and Ryan Spann. However, he is wildly inconsistent and it seems he’s lost some of the speed and athleticism he had early in his career. Prates’ length is likely going to be difficult for Giles to deal with here. Prates should have a considerable speed advantage, and in spite of Giles’ experience advantage I expect Prates to be the better fighter no matter where this one goes. Carlos Prates by Round Two KO
Main Card- Starts 7:00pm EST
Rodolfo Vieira -115 vs Armen Petrosyan -105
- Anthony: The main card opens with a middleweight tilt between Rodolfo Vieira and Armen Petrosyan. This is a classic matchup of grappler and striker with Vieira desperately looking to get this bout onto the ground. Petrosyan has thus far defended just 36 percent of opponent takedowns since joining the UFC. He faced a striker in Christian Leroy Duncan his last bout but in the four fights prior for Petrosyan, he was taken down by each opponent no fewer than two times. Petrosyan is a lethally accurate striker with great kickboxing and a rather high output attack. It will be a one-sided fight regardless of the winner and I find that the likely reason for the even betting odds. The smaller octagon should favor him in this spot. I do not imagine Vieria will spend much time at all striking here. The takedown attempt should come very early and Petrosyan has proven an inability to properly defend. Vieira is always volatile but I find value betting him here given the great price we are getting. He is a lethal BJJ black belt that should slice through Petrosyan if he gets this fight onto the mat. Rodolfo Viera by Round One Submission
- Nick: Vieira is one of the most talented BJJ players in the UFC as a decorated Black belt and Five-time BJJ World Champion. He’s a Freestyle Wrestling and a Combat Sambo Master of sport, but he definitely leans on his jiu-jitsu as it’s far and away his greatest strength. Vieira’s striking is far from technical, but he’s a monster physically so he can put power behind his punches and close distance effectively enough to work opponents to the mat. As dangerous as he is, his cardio is a major liability. Petrosyan is a talented kickboxer with extremely powerful kicks and outstanding speed. He manages range well, has outstanding footwork, and five of his eight professional wins have come via KO. He is 3-1 under the UFC banner, most recently securing a convincing decision win over Christian Leroy Duncan. In many ways this is a striker vs. grappler match-up. On the feet Petrosyan should mostly dominate, but if he’s taken down there’s a high likelihood Vieria can finish him. This is a low confidence play, but I slightly prefer the grappler here, particularly in the small Apex cage. Rodolfo Vieria by Round One Submission
Michael Johnson -140 vs Darrius Flowers +115
- Anthony: Next is a fight at lightweight between Darrius Flowers and Michael Johnson. It is tough to predict this bout as both men have taken their fair share of losses. Johnson is an aged veteran, now 37 years old and coming off a bad knockout in his last octagon appearance. I thought Johnson was fighting well in that bout against Diego Ferreira but one big overhand landed and that was a wrap. Flowers came up short in his promotional debut, losing by submission against Jake Matthews. While Flowers does have solid skills he hasn’t put together a great resume, merely 12-6 with all six losses coming by way of finish. He will be the aggressor in this bout but if Johnson can fight smart and keep his distance, I like his chances of earning a win. Even at this age Johnson fires quick combinations and strikes with fight ending intent. He is going to be a step quicker than Flowers and benefit from a small edge in reach. Michael Johnson by Round Two KO
- Nick: Darrius Flowers is somewhat undersized for the division, but he has one-shot KO power on the feet and a solid understanding of wrestling fundamentals. He is 12-6-1 professionally, coming off a submission loss to Jake Matthews in his UFC debut. Michael Johnson was once considered a future title contender at 155. He has notable wins over Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Edson Barboza. That being said, there’s really no denying he’s a shell of the fighter he was in his prime. Johnson is a highly technical southpaw striker but his fight IQ and durability have deteriorated over the years. That being said, he does still occasionally show flashes of brilliance on the feet. In many ways, this is a classic striker vs. grappler match-up. Flowers should find success on the ground if he can secure takedowns here, but if he can’t then Johnson should pick him apart on the feet. This is a low confidence play with Johnson in the twilight of his career, but I see him as the rightful favorite. Michael Johnson by Decision
Gregory Rodrigues -260 vs Brad Tavares +200
- Anthony: This should be a good middleweight scrap with Gregory Rodrigues and Brad Tavares. If you have seen either of these men compete before you know to expect a great showing of effort and grit. Rodrigues is known for his constant pressure, marching forward and throwing heavy boxing combinations at his opponents. He is a cerebral fighter, timing his takedowns well and fighting smart while always prioritizing offense over defense. He is a generally durable guy but oftentimes Rodrigues will eat shots clean. Thankfully Tavares is not known for his power and instead fights with a style focused more on finesse. He will put together the better technical combinations in this bout against Rodrigues but I am doubtful that Tavares keeps up with the pace set by the Brazilian. The past several Tavares’ fights have been tough to watch as he slows down, but does not quit. The veteran of 23 UFC fights will struggle to stay in this bout against Rodrigues, whose stock continues to rise. Gregory Rodrigues by Round Two Submission
- Nick: Rodrigues has a BJJ black belt, but he’s found most of his success just standing and striking at range. He’s massive for the division, but he carries so much muscle that it seems he fades if his fights get into the later rounds. Rodrigues is extremely dangerous offensively, but he telegraphs many of his strikes which leads him open to be countered in chaotic exchanges. Regardless, he’s a potent finisher with a well-rounded overall game. Brad Tavares is a talented vet who has been ranked at middleweight for years. He does a good job mixing in leg kicks to keep his opponents at range. He works well behind his jab, he throws meaningful shots and we’ve seen his chin tested on multiple occasions. Tavares is a competent wrestler, especially defensively. He has a solid 82 percent takedown defense in the UFC. Tavares may be the more technically sound fighter in this match-up, but there is no denying he’s past his prime. I expect a competitive fight until Rodrigues eventually secures a finish. Gregory Rodrigues by Round Two KO
Robert Bryczek -160 vs Ihor Potieria +135
- Anthony: The featured bout comes at middleweight between Robert Bryczek and Ihor Potieria. This is a short notice booking after Potieria had originally been slated to face off with Albert Duraev. I do not believe the UFC future is bright for Potieria who has lost three of four appearances by knockout. He also missed weight for this matchup and looked terrible yesterday on the scales. Bryczek seems a bit unproven but the Polish fighter does have some serious hands. I am shocked Bryczek was able to pass drug testing for this bout as he looks shredded in comparison to Potieria. He is going to pack a much bigger punch than the lanky Potieria and I expect a knockout to quickly materialize. Potieria could win here thanks to his awkward style but I find it more likely that his chin gets touched once again. He will not be able to drag Bryczek to the mat or into deeper waters. Robert Bryczek by Round One KO
- Nick: Robert Bryczek will be making his UFC debut in this match-up, coming off five consecutive KO wins. Bryczek is 17-5 professionally, with eleven of his seventeen professional wins coming via KO. Bryczek has fought a quality level of regional opponents, primarily fighting for Oktagon MMA in the Czech Republic. Bryczek is a physical specimen with explosive power on the feet. He finds most of his success just overwhelming his opponents with strength and power. He can be hittable in exchanges, but he has a solid chin. His durability generally allows him to score a KO before he’s KO’d himself. Potieria is primarily a brawler with dangerous offensive striking ability. He is 20-5 professionally, but he really hasn’t been tested extensively at this level. He is explosive in open space and striking out of breaks, but he seems far from refined in terms of his footwork and head movement. His kill or be-killed style makes him dangerous as an underdog, but his technical abilities are far from refined. This is a low level and volatile match-up, but I expect Bryczek can get it done here. His power will likely be too much for Potieria with Potieria moving down a weight class. Robert Bryczek by Round One KO
Dan Ige -170 vs Andre Fili +145
- Anthony: The co-main event should be a banger at featherweight with Andre Fili facing Dan Ige. Fili had a massive win less than two months ago, knocking out Lucas Almeida in the very first round. His path to victory will be much different today, likely looking to outsmart Ige rather than stand and trade with him. When it comes to 145 pounds there are not many with the knockout power that Dan Ige possesses. Fili will want to use his long range weapons here to keep Ige from constantly pressing forward with his hands. Fili’s kicks are good but generally I see him losing even if this does end up being a point fight. Ige hits much harder than Fili and will dish out more physical damage. He will have the bigger moments in this fight and win by decision if the judge’s are involved. Dan Ige by Decision
- Nick: Dan Ige has an extremely high FIght IQ. He works well behind his jab on the feet, but he’s also comfortable grappling and wrestling as he has a very powerful base and excellent control of his weight/hips. He has surprising KO power for his frame, and it seems he only loses fights to the absolute best featherweights in the world. He’s coming off a hard fought decision loss to Bryce Mitchell, but prior to that he had secured impressive wins over Nate Landwehr and Damon Jackson. Andre Fili is a well-rounded fighter. He throws powerful punches, he has solid wrestling and his athleticism allows him to stay competitive against a wide range of top-level opponents. He’s an effective striker that uses his length well, but he’s relied on his grappling and wrestling in most of his professional victories. This is one of the better match-ups on the card, but Ige should be a bit better than Fili no matter where this one goes. I expect he can stay a step ahead and potentially find a late knockout. Dan Ige by Round Two KO
Joe Pyfer -20 vs Jack Hermansson +210
- Anthony: The main event is a fun matchup at middleweight between Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer. This will be a great test for the fast rising Pyfer who is already 3-0 in the UFC. The 27-year-old has developed into a very scary fighter, pairing great jiu jitsu with a potent offensive attack. You will see Pyfer blasting opponents with heavy kicks and putting combinations in front of a thrashing right hand. Hermansson has been knocked out before but this will not be an easy task for Pyfer. After more than a year off I expect Hermansson to be locked in here early, engaging Pyfer on the mat where he believes he can win. Hermansson’s awkward style could prove difficult for Pyfer to navigate, but I think he will need to find a submission if he is going to win here. After losing to Dolidze, I expect Hermansson to bounce back and come through as the gatekeeper today. It is a huge step up in competition for Pyfer and we are not yet certain how he will perform in a five round atmosphere. He is very aggressive and I expect him to engage with Hermansson very early. I consider Pyfer the rightful favorite here but my money is on Hermansson. He has never before been priced a bigger underdog than this +210. Jack Hermansson by Round One Submission
- Nick: Joe Pyfer fights out of an excellent camp in Renzo Gracie Philadelphia and he seems to be a personality the UFC hopes to feature and build moving forward. Pyfer is well-rounded, but his power certainly seems to be his greatest attribute. He is coming off three consecutive KO wins under the UFC banner, most recently over a tough out in Abdul Razak Alhassan. Nine of his twelve professional wins have come via KO. Jack Hermansson, is one of the best offensive grapplers in the UFC at Middleweight. His style is fairly unconventional, but he has more brute strength than most do on the mat so he can pull off Submissions that most others couldn’t. He can look awkward on the feet, but he throws powerful and accurate strikes and he does an excellent job circling away from the power of his opponents. His awkward style makes him a difficult target to find, and his striking seems much improved. Pyfer’s power is his greatest strength, and Hermansson’s chin is a bit of a concern so late in his career. The price here seems ridiculous given the gap between these two in experience, but I expect Pyfer can find Hermansson’s chin before his cardio becomes a factor. Additionally, I do expect Pyfer has solid enough submission defense that he can work his way back to his feet if he is taken down. Joe Pyfer by Round One KO
-Nick Marro
Twitter: @NickMarroDFS
-Anthony Marro
Twitter: @AnthonyMarro_
Photo: UFC.com