Felipe Bunes

Settles on Chairez with a round-by-round mechanism (Bunes takes the opening round, Chairez takes over after), but closes by granting a genuine finish-risk scenario for Bunes that is left unrebutted, which demotes the grade per the confidence-bar rule.

A good striker with decent power, an effective leg kick, and a good straight-cross-into-lead-hook combination, though his volume is flagged as fading after the first round. A solid, well-rounded grappler who strikes his way into takedowns and brings a genuinely good submission arsenal - actively hunting finishes rather than settling for position, with a strong triangle/armbar sequence he can switch between easily. Called the better pure grappler in this matchup.

calls it a close, competitive fight, then sides with Estevam on minutes won via output and top position.

A clean, technical striker with decent power, a good leg kick and a sharp 2-3 combo, but his output is a real problem -- he just doesn't do enough of it. His grappling is the more complete side of his game: a jiu-jitsu-style player comfortable working off his back, with a diverse submission arsenal (triangle into armbar) that he hunts aggressively. He also strikes his way into his takedowns.

Gives two concrete reasons for the pick (expects Bunes to get takedowns and to stay on top against Johnson's back-heavy game) and commits without hedging on who wins; notes the underdog price only as context.

Good striker with decent power, a strong leg kick and a go-to two-three combination, though his own volume can let him down. Solid jiu-jitsu player who strikes his way into takedowns and is particularly good working the triangle-to-armbar submission sequence. Read as the likely better grappler in this matchup.

names Van plainly and repeats the pick with a stated mechanism (pressure, feet, stuffing takedowns); only hedge is on finish method, not the win itself.

Faces a short-notice replacement in Van. A good striker with decent power and effective kicks, helped by a sizable reach edge, but his output is thin. On the mat he is a live submission threat -- attacks subs aggressively, sets up a triangle into an armbar, and can strike his way into takedowns rather than just shooting.

Names Bunes as his pick purely as a formality, saying outright he has little confidence here, invoking the root-beer stay-away idiom, and warning viewers away from wagering on it at all.

A good striker with solid kicks and decent power but not enough volume to win a clean striking exchange. His submission grappling off his back is a real threat, but his takedown defense is poor -- 'not very good at all' -- and once taken down he is content to stay there rather than fight to get up. The taller, longer fighter in this matchup (71-inch reach).