Jonathan Pearce

He gives Pearce the edge because he expects Sabatini's confidence to be shaken by recent knockout losses, but explicitly hedges 'maybe I'm wrong' about reading Sabatini's own mindset, a speculative chain rather than a flat read of skill.

Not a power puncher, but durable and able to fight from either stance. Good wrestling with real takedown volume and ground-and-pound, good scrambles and back-control ability; good volume striking mixing kicks and hands, though his own striking defense isn't great.

Commits twice by name ('I'm gonna take Jonathan Pierce') and predicts a specific late finish, round three.

A good, high-volume wrestler with very good takedown volume, good ground-and-pound mixed with elbows, good scrambles, and a dangerous ability to take the back. His striking is also good - solid volume and kicks from either stance - though his striking defense is a real weak spot, and the analyst expects him to eat some shots and possibly get dropped once or twice. His durability and cardio-driven wrestling pressure are the stated path to a late finish.

He admits to reversing his own pick on this fight several times over before settling on Brito, and separately tells viewers the call is one that could easily go the other way for someone with a differing read -- a direct, repeated hedge on the win itself.

A high-volume striker who throws from either stance, with kicks as his best weapon, though he leaves himself open to be hit at times -- offset by being very durable. His wrestling is where he needs to win: good takedowns with heavy volume, good ground-and-pound, and a strong scramble/back-control game. His cardio is elite -- he never fully slows down.

repeatedly says he is tempted by the other side and that he can be swayed, final pick stated plainly

An underrated, well-rounded fighter he rates ahead of his record, with real pop on the feet and a strong ground-and-pound game once he gets on top. He flags takedown defense as the one hole in Pearce's game, which matters directly against a wrestler like Elkins, but still favors Pearce's speed and younger legs to win enough minutes on the cards.