TheWeasle expects Ateba Gautier to "butcher" Robert Valentine via second-round KO. At 6'4" with an 81-inch reach, Gautier is as long as Israel Adesanya but twice as thick, yet still makes middleweight. He fights tall behind a jab, straight left and punishing low kicks, keeping his hands high on both offense and defense. Valentine’s best path is wrestling—his scrambles versus Ryan Loder were solid—but TheWeasle doubts he can penetrate Gautier’s distance management. With hand traps and constant defensive responsibility, Gautier should land heavy counters until Valentine crumbles.

Gumby Vreeland took a swing on +455 underdog Robert Valentin, arguing the market underrates his submission chops against knockout-minded Atiba Gauthier. Valentin owns six career subs and arm-barred Paddy McCrory on The Ultimate Fighter, yet his first two UFC bouts came against dedicated wrestlers who muted that strength. Gauthier, meanwhile, has starched six straight regional opponents but has never been tested on the mat. Vreeland likened the matchup to the upset he cashed with Yusaku Kinoshita over Oban Elliott, saying bettors are again overlooking a well-rounded grappler versus an unproven brawler. If Valentin can duck the early artillery and force clinch exchanges, Vreeland expects takedowns to come easily and a tap to follow, making the Swiss veteran a worthwhile flier.