HopperoMMA — UFC 329 full-card predictions

Picks Zachary Reese to rebound with his size, striking and finishing ability. He acknowledges Ryan Gandra looked good in his UFC arrival, but trusts Reese as the bigger, more rounded fighter with the power to end it early.

“I'm going to go with Zachary Ree to beat Ryan Gandra”

Sees Alessandro Costa as far too dangerous on the feet for Cody Durden. He expects Costa to keep the fight standing, punish Durden's defensive gaps and land the kind of power shot that ends the fight in round one.

“I'm going to go Aleandro Costa to knock out Cody Denon in the first round.”

Trusts Wang Cong's sharper striking and improved anti-grappling against Tracy Cortez's wrestling game. He expects Cortez to have moments, including possible takedowns, but thinks Wang keeps enough of the fight standing to win rounds.

“to go Wang Kong to beat Tracy Cortez by decision”

Rates Luke Riley's boxing, Cage Warriors experience and finishing power well above the threat Kai Kamaka brings. He expects Riley to handle the grappling well enough and land a heavy first-round shot.

“I'm going to go with Luke Riley by KO in the first round.”

Leans Adrian Yanez because Cody Garbrandt's recent durability and defensive lapses worry him against a cleaner offensive boxer. He gives Garbrandt a chance, but expects Yanez's hands to catch up to him and force a second-round finish.

“I'm going to go with Adrian to finish Cody Garin in the second round”

Backs Gable Steveson's Olympic wrestling and Jon Jones camp work to be too much for Elisha Ellison. He sees the matchup as designed for Steveson to get takedowns, control the fight and find an early submission.

“I'm going to go with Gable Stevenson to submit him in the first round”

Picks Robert Whittaker to win on skill despite moving up to light heavyweight. He sees Nikita Krylov as a fair first opponent at the weight and expects Whittaker's striking class and takedown defense to carry a three-round decision.

“And I am going to go with Whitaker to win this one by decision”

Sides with Lone'er Kavanagh's speed, kicking game and technical striking in a striker-friendly matchup. He respects Brandon Royval's elite experience and volume, but thinks Kavanagh is the smoother fighter over three rounds.

“I'm going to go with Lonnie Kavanaaugh to win this one by decision.”

Takes Mario Bautista as an underdog because he can threaten Cory Sandhagen in both striking and grappling phases. He thinks Sandhagen's elite schedule matters, but Bautista's all-around pressure gives Sandhagen more to solve than a one-discipline matchup.

“going to go with Mario Batista to beat Cory Sanding”

Calls it a close, low-confidence fight but picks Benoit Saint Denis for having more ways to win. He expects Saint Denis to punish Paddy Pimblett's striking defense, mix in his own grappling and do enough across three rounds.

“I'm going to go with Ben Saint to win this one”

Picks Max Holloway because McGregor's long layoff, lifestyle questions and repaired leg are too much to trust against an active elite striker. He gives McGregor a puncher's chance, but expects Holloway's pace and current form to overwhelm him in round two.

“I'm going to go with Max Holloway to win this one by TK on the second round”