MMA Experts — UFC Freedom 250 full-card predictions

AJ expects Lopes to survive Garcia's pressure behind the better chin, cleaner counters and grappling threat, then find a later-stage finish as Garcia walks into big shots.

“So, Diego Lopez over Steve Garcia later stage finish is going to be my pick.”

AJ does not trust Nickal after the de Ridder loss and thinks Daukaus is live enough with striking and MMA grappling resistance to turn the bout into a rough underdog upset.

“don't trust Bo Nickel. I'm going to pick Kyle Dawkins.”

AJ frames Ruffy as the obvious side: too precise, rangy and dangerous for a 40-year-old Chandler, who might clinch early but eventually gets destroyed on the feet.

“gets up and just destroys him on the feet. Chandler's getting knocked out. We're going Mauricio Ruffy by KO.”

AJ says the fan pick is Lewis by early bomb, but his analyst call is Hokit by second-round ground-and-pound after wrestling, wearing Lewis down and avoiding the pocket.

“Do. He's gonna chin Josh Hogit. But as the analyst, bro, I gotta pick Josh Hokit to win by second round TKO.”

AJ sees O'Malley as the faster, superior boxer against a 38-year-old Zahabi whose boxing style and limited grappling threat leave him open to a vintage knockout.

“getting knocked out. I'm going Shawn Ali by KO.”

AJ backs Pereira's power and cage pressure to catch Gane after the early movement slows, calling for Pereira to trap him and win by knockout.

“Alex Pereira. I'm going with Alex Pereira to beat Sirill Gan.”

AJ expects Topuria's sharper close-range boxing, head movement and counters to make Gaethje look too hittable, ending in a violent knockout inside the first 10 minutes.

“I think Taporia is gonna knock him out.”