Bedtime MMA — UFC 329 full-card predictions
Picks scorecard
7 of 8 decided picks correct
- Bedtime MMA: Called 121 of 171 resolved picks
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Pick Alessandro Costa · Decision
Result Alessandro Costa by Sub, R2 Hit
All analysts: 16 picks — 12 Costa · 4 Durden
Calls the opener closer than the market tone suggests and admits he nearly picked Durden. He still sides with Costa because the calf kicks, power, BJJ threats and harder pocket shots should offset Durden's pressure and wrestling looks.
“I'm going to go with Alessandro Costa to win this one.”
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Pick Ryan Gandra · KO/TKO · R1
Result Ryan Gandra by KO/TKO, R1 Perfect call
All analysts: 14 picks — 9 Gandra · 5 Reese
Picks Ryan Gandra by first-round knockout because he expects Gandra's pressure and real punching power to force Zachary Reese into exchanges. He respects Reese's length and kicking game, but thinks Reese is hittable once opponents close distance and does not have enough stopping power to keep Gandra off him.
“I'm going to say that Ryan Goundrey wins this one by knockout.”
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Pick Farid Basharat · Decision
Result Farid Basharat by Dec, R3 Perfect call
All analysts: 7 picks — 7 Basharat · 0 Garza
Acknowledges Garza's short-notice boxing upside and says Garza may have real moments pressuring Basharat. He still picks Basharat by a close 29-28 because the mobility, stance switching, kick setups, experience and fight IQ should carry enough rounds.
“I'm going to go with Fared Bash to win this one.”
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Pick Damian Pinas · KO/TKO · R2
Result Damian Pinas by KO/TKO, R1 Hit
All analysts: 15 picks — 10 Pinas · 5 Almeida
Backs Damian Pinas by round-two knockout while acknowledging Almeida as a skilled kickboxer who may start well. The read is that Pinas' length, explosiveness and straight right eventually find Almeida during a mostly striking fight.
“I'm going to go with Damen Penas by round two knockout”
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Pick Tracy Cortez · Decision
Result Wang Cong by Dec, R3 Miss
All analysts: 15 picks — 4 Cortez · 11 Wang
Takes Tracy Cortez by decision despite expecting Wang Cong to punish some clinch and takedown entries with elbows and knees. He thinks Cortez's chin, cardio, wrestling and top-position ground-and-pound let her bank enough control and damage for a close 29-28.
“I'm going to go with Tracy Cortez to win in by decision.”
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Pick Luke Riley · Decision
Result Luke Riley by KO/TKO, R1 Hit
All analysts: 16 picks — 15 Riley · 1 Kamaka III
Calls it close and expects Kai Kamaka to have moments, but leans Luke Riley by 29-28 decision. He thinks Riley's light movement, speed, body work and left hook make Kamaka's calf-kick game harder to establish over three rounds.
“We're going to go with Luke Riley by 29-28 decision.”
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Pick Adrian Yanez · KO/TKO
Result Adrian Yanez by KO/TKO, R1 Perfect call
All analysts: 13 picks — 1 Garbrandt · 12 Yanez
Picks Adrian Yanez by knockout because he no longer trusts Garbrandt's low-output style to keep up. He expects Yanez's combination boxing, jab and counters to back Garbrandt toward the fence and create the damaging right-hand or uppercut moments.
“I'm going with Adrian Yanez by knockout.”
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Pick Paddy Pimblett · Sub
Result Paddy Pimblett by Sub, R1 Perfect call
All analysts: 16 picks — 10 Pimblett · 6 Saint Denis
Picks Paddy Pimblett by submission while admitting Saint Denis' pressure and clinch work are dangerous early. His argument is that Saint Denis' takedown entries play into Pimblett's defensive grappling, reversals and submission threats, and that Pimblett can weather the early storm before finishing in a scramble.
“I'm picking Paddy Pimblett by submission.”