The MMA Guru — UFC 329 full-card predictions

Likes Alessandro Costa's recent body-shot finishing form and thinks Durden is vulnerable to exactly that kind of damage. He expects Costa's short, stocky frame to make the grappling difficult while his pressure creates a body-shot TKO.

“Second round body shot TKO.”

Trusts Gandra's power edge much more than Reese's durability. He sees Reese as hittable enough that Gandra can land clean before the fight reaches the later grappling-heavy phases that would make the matchup more complicated.

“I'm going to go with Ryan Gandra KO in the first round.”

Explicitly accounts for Garza stepping in on six days' notice. He expects Garza's size and danger to make it competitive, but sees Basharat's deeper UFC experience and MMA grappling as enough to win the final two rounds on the cards.

“Getting this one done by a competitive decision where he wins the final two rounds.”

Leans to Pinas' explosiveness and athleticism, with enough power to hurt Almeida and win key exchanges. He still expects Almeida to be durable enough to survive the scary moments and force a competitive decision.

“I'll say decision. I'll weirdly say decision here.”

Sees Wang as the far better striker and thinks her improved defensive grappling keeps Cortez from banking enough control. Once Wang keeps enough exchanges at range, he expects her speed and punching to produce a finish.

“To get this one done by TKO finish.”

Respects Kamaka as a live, well-rounded opponent, but thinks Riley's boxing advantage is too sharp. He expects Riley to read the kicks, answer with hands and find a knockout once he gets comfortable.

“I'm going with KO. Luke Riley, first or second round over Kamaka.”

Reads Garbrandt as a diminished version of himself whose confidence and willingness to engage are no longer reliable. He trusts Yanez's jab, boxing and composure to keep touching Garbrandt until the stoppage arrives.

“I'm going with Cody Garbrandt losing by KO in the first or second round.”

Thinks Ellison is an undersized and inexperienced UFC heavyweight debut opponent for this spot. He expects Steveson's athleticism, wrestling threat and power to be enough for a quick TKO, while noting it would not prove top-level heavyweight readiness yet.

“By TKO in the first round.”

Gives Krylov the power-and-swarm path, but thinks Whittaker is far too technical and composed if the fight stays in striking layers. He expects Whittaker's shot selection to punish Krylov's entries and produce a first- or second-round knockout.

“KO first or second round over Krylov. Nasty finish.”

Thinks Bautista's physicality, cage pressure and wrestling optics are enough to win close rounds. He expects Sandhagen to be dangerous and creative, but not damaging enough to clearly outweigh Bautista's control and aggression on the judges' cards.

“I think this is too much to overcome.”

Backs Pimblett despite acknowledging Saint Denis' pressure and early danger. His final read is that Pimblett hurts Saint Denis on the feet first, then uses the scramble or knockdown sequence to finish by second-round submission.

“Submission second round after hurting him on the feet.”

Gives McGregor the opening-round danger, but thinks the long layoff and fading pop make it hard for him to hold Holloway off. He expects Holloway's pressure, jab, body-head follow-ups and pace to take over late and force a stoppage.

“I'm going to go with Max Holay getting this one done”