Madlab Michael Lurato actually endorsed Irina Alekseeva at –275, saying she deserves the price tag unlike Mullins in the previous matchup. Alekseeva at least owns a signature scarf-hold submission of judo veteran Stephanie Egger and carries legitimate upper-body takedown offense—tools Claudia Sagula lacks. Sagula has been arm-locked three times in amateur and pro action and shows no standout skill that translates to UFC success. Unless Alekseeva comes in flat or commits a massive error, Lurato sees her grinding Sagula to the mat and either replicating the scarf-hold or winning a lopsided decision. He is comfortable using Alekseeva as a small parlay enhancer or laying straight chalk, rating Sagula a short-timer on the roster.

Kyzer Del Busto grabbed Irina Alekseeva by KO/TKO at a juicy +900. He noted that Alekseeva—nicknamed ‘Russian Ronda’ for her judo base and aggressive clinch knees—faces Sagula, a newcomer who was just stopped via second-round strikes on the regional circuit and looked lost defending inside elbows. Del Busto argued the market often overvalues women’s MMA decisions, but Alekseeva already owns a 77-second kneebar submission in the UFC and throws fight-ending overhands whenever opponents exit tie-ups. Against a defensively porous striker on short notice, Del Busto expects Alekseeva to bully into the body lock, land knees and overhands, and secure the finish—making the near 10-to-1 price tag worth a stab.

Calling her the “Russian Ronda,” Bedtime MMA is taking Irina Alekseeva to submit Claudia Zegarra in the wee-hours women’s bout. He dismissed Zegarra as a can-crusher, whereas Alekseeva has shown legitimate finishing mechanics on the mat. He expects an early scramble to end with Alekseeva wrapping an arm or neck, making the submission prop his recommended angle.