Denys Bondar

argues Bondar's recklessness cures Rodriguez's usual 'too patient' tendency and sets up counters; states outright he no longer trusts Bondar in any matchup.

Denys Bondar is a solid wrestler with powerful takedowns, good scrambles, back-taking and constant submission attacks, plus a good trip from the clinch. His striking is not polished but is powerful and kill-or-be-killed, with a big overhand and a good high guard defensively.

States plainly that Bondar is the pick and expects him to close it out early, but explicitly worries he may not be the same fighter coming off the long injury layoff -- a real outcome-level doubt, not just a method preference.

A go-for-broke wrestler with heavy, powerful takedown power, strong scrambling ability, a knack for taking the back, and a live finishing rate on the mat (11 of his 16 career wins by submission); clinch trips give him a backup entry too. Coming off a long layoff -- his last outing was a loss and he has been sidelined well over a year since, which the analyst worries could leave him a touch more hesitant than usual.