Michael Bisping doubled-down on the violence angle for Paul Craig’s return to light-heavyweight, highlighting opponent Rodolfo Bellato’s back-to-back knockouts of Iho Petere (ground-and-pound) and Murtazza Talha on the Contender Series. Bisping framed the matchup as classic grappler-versus-striker but stressed that Craig fights rarely reach the judges because Craig either drags opponents into his guard to hunt triangles (a UFC-record four at 205) or gets clipped by heavy hitters. With Bellato’s 7 career KOs colliding with Craig’s six UFC submissions, Bisping urged bettors to target Inside-the-Distance or Under rounds props instead of money-line sides, predicting "explosive action" from the opening bell.

Bisping predicted an explosive, likely non-decision fight between submission savant Paul Craig and hulking Brazilian striker Rodolfo Bellato. Craig returns to 205 pounds with the weight cut behind him and brings a record six light-heavyweight submissions (four by triangle, a UFC-wide record). Bellato stands 6'3" with seven knockouts, recently fought Jimmy Crute to a draw, and owns a string of ground-and-pound KOs on Contender Series. Bisping believes the clash of Craig’s guard-pulling jiu-jitsu and Bellato’s power shots creates an almost binary outcome—either Craig snares a limb or Bellato lands a fight-ending bomb—making "Fight Doesn’t Go to Decision" or Under rounds props the sharp way to attack betting markets.

Michael Bisping framed Gilbert Burns as a dangerous underdog against 17-0 finisher Michael Morales. He conceded Morales’ advantages—youth, 12 knockouts, size and surging confidence—but stressed that Burns has rededicated himself after a string of losses. According to Bisping, the 38-year-old moved back into "living in the gym," shed outside distractions, regained his trademark Afro and legitimately looks ten years younger. Burns still carries fight-changing power, strong wrestling entries and world-class jiu-jitsu that produced wins over Jorge Masvidal, Stephen Thompson, Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia and even dropped Kamaru Usman multiple times in a title fight. Bisping’s tone suggested this version of Burns can neutralize Morales on the mat or clip him on the feet, making Burns an attractive plus-money play or DFS leverage option if bookmakers overreact to the age gap.

Michael Bisping said Navajo Stirling will extend his 6-0 start at UFC 315. Bisping highlighted Sterling’s size advantage, the fact he trains alongside Israel Adesanya, and his growing confidence as an undefeated prospect. He called Croatian striker Ivan Erslan "patient to a fault," predicting that tempo will let Stirling pick him apart at range. Because Stirling is, in Bisping’s words, "the better striker and the bigger guy," he expects Sterling to control exchanges and either score a late finish or win a clear decision. Bettors should back Sterling on the prelims.

Michael Bisping doubled-down on his earlier pick but got more specific, telling bettors to target the Belal Muhammad by-decision market. He noted Jack Della Maddalena’s reliance on upper-cut entries and warned that those punches naturally flow into underhooks—exactly the kind of tie-up Muhammad turns into takedowns. Bisping contrasted Gilbert Burns’ failure to keep JDM grounded with Belal’s relentless mat control, pointing out that once Muhammad plants opponents they “struggle to get back up.” He emphasized the champion’s legendary cardio, clean lifestyle (no alcohol, always in the gym) and a career trend: 8 of his last 11 wins have come on the scorecards. Because Muhammad rarely chases risky finishes and judges reward his positional dominance, Bisping believes a five-round grind is the most likely script and sees plus money on the decision prop as the best way to play it.

Bisping forecast Belal Muhammad retaining his welterweight strap by grounding Jack Della Maddalena. He praised Della Maddalena’s seven-fight UFC run and comeback KO of Gilbert Burns but underscored that Burns dominated early with wrestling—the very skill Muhammad excels at. Bisping called Belal’s cardio "endless," his wrestling "top-notch," and noted the champion’s lifestyle: no drinking, always in the gym. Echoing Teddy Atlas, he said champions become "30 percent better overnight" and believes Muhammad will secure repeat takedowns, deny scrambles, and turn Della Maddalena’s boxing angles into underhooks and mat time. Recommendation: back Muhammad, especially by decision or late finish.

Bisping predicted Valentina Shevchenko will shut down Manon Fiorot with well-timed doubles and top control. He reminded viewers the "Bullet" compiled eight title defenses and has "completed all the rubies" on her belt. Fiorot’s 12-1 mark and kickboxing acumen impressed him—she did beat Rose Namajunas—but he questioned whether she can stop Shevchenko’s takedowns for 25 minutes. Expect Shevchenko to abandon an extended striking duel, land reactive shots, and hunt a ground-and-pound TKO or cruise to a lopsided decision. Bisping’s advice: back Shevchenko by any wrestling-centric method.

Bisping acknowledged Father Time but still sided with Jose Aldo over Aiemann Zahabi. Aldo, 38, carries the miles of a former featherweight king yet retains elite takedown defense and crisp Muay Thai. Zahabi—brother of famed coach Firas—owns a 12-2 record and rides a five-fight streak, plus will have the Montreal crowd behind him. Even so, Bisping doubts Zahabi can replicate Marlon Vera’s fence-grinding blueprint and expects Aldo’s cleaner boxing and veteran savvy to steal rounds en route to a decision.

Bisping predicted Alexa Grasso will outclass lightning-quick prospect Natalia Silva. He pointed to Grasso’s three straight five-rounders with Valentina Shevchenko (win, draw, loss) as evidence she owns an edge in deep-water experience. While praising Silva’s flashy spinning-kick knockout of Tereza Bleda and her 18-5 record with seven subs, Bisping feels Grasso’s polished boxing, underrated wrestling, and Mexican grit will neutralize Silva’s movement and side-kicks. Expect the ex-champ to control pace, mix takedowns when needed, and cash as the favorite.

Bisping expects Mike Malott to notch another finish in Montreal. He reminded listeners that Malott had a four-fight UFC streak (including Contender Series) snapped by Neil Magny but immediately rebounded against Trevin Giles. With four knockouts and six submissions on his record, Malott is, per Bisping, "as well-rounded as they come." Charles Radke is riding high after a first-round stoppage of Matt Semelsberger and enters angry over Canadian fans booing the U.S. anthem, yet Bisping thinks Malott’s athleticism and submission threat will overwhelm Radke once fists start flying.

Bisping picked Modestas Bukauskas to out-point Ion "The Hulk" Cutelaba. He acknowledged Cutelaba’s trademark blitzes, "gigantic knockout power," and solid wrestling, but stressed that Bukauskas now trains daily with Tom Aspinall’s BJJ squad, giving him elite looks for both grappling and striking. Bisping expects Bukauskas to stay composed, mitigate early chaos, and turn the fight once Cutelaba starts to fade. The improved defensive wrestling and calmer shot selection should carry Bukauskas to a decision victory, making him Bisping’s side on the ESPN prelims.

Bisping predicted Ikram Aliskerov will be “too much” for Andre Muniz even after that brutal 1:49 knockout loss to Robert Whittaker. He reminded listeners Aliskerov was a 15-1 destroyer with Dagestani Sambo credentials, an 81 % finish rate and a plus-3 takedown differential before stepping in on short notice against a former champ. Muniz’s A-level jiu-jitsu is real—nine career submissions and the famous Jacare Souza arm-snap—but recent TKO losses to Paul Craig and rear-naked choke to Brendan Allen exposed durability and wrestling flaws; Muniz defends takedowns at only 37 %. Bisping expects Aliskerov to test the chin early with straight lefts, then change levels and punish from top where Muniz wilts under heavy elbows. He advised parlaying Aliskerov money-line and sprinkling KO/TKO because the Dagestani ground-and-pound could finish before Muniz hunts an armbar.

Bisping reluctantly sided with Nicolas Dalby over Randy Brown, stressing that Dalby owns “more ways to win.” Brown enters with 5-inch height and 6-inch reach advantages and lands 4.42 sig. strikes per minute, yet Bisping pointed out his 66 % takedown-defense continues to be his Achilles’ heel, citing the Jack Della Maddalena R1 choke. Dalby averages 1.46 takedowns per 15 and scrambles well enough to survive on bottom when he shoots recklessly. He is also 5-1 since returning to the UFC, showing cardio to push pace late and a willingness to mix clinch knees, body kicks and level changes. Bisping expects Brown to win early exchanges but predicted Dalby drags the Jamaican-born striker into dirty clinch exchanges, scores a couple of takedowns and sneaks a 29-28 decision. Bettors looking for plus money can target Dalby by decision props.

Bisping picked Abus Magomedov to stifle Michel Pereira, arguing Pereira’s trademark back-flips and burst entries often drain his gas tank after Round 1. Magomedov’s "no walk in the park" wrestling impressed Bisping in the Bruno Ferreira fight, where Abus shot a clean double, logged 4:12 of top control and finished with an arm-triangle. Pereira, meanwhile, has surrendered 1.73 takedowns per 15 minutes and visibly slowed in decision wins over Niko Price and Santiago Ponzinibbio. Although Magomedov has decision losses to Sean Strickland and Caio Borralho, Bisping believes a three-round format plus Abus’ 78 inch reach will let him jab, level-change and hold dominant positions en route to either a late submission or clear 29-28s. He recommended Magomedov money-line and sprinkle Sub Round 3 if the price is juicy.

Michael Bisping backed Giga Chikadze to starch David Onama, saying the Georgian’s "Giga-kick" liver shot and overall kick-boxing pedigree are levels above what Onama has seen. Bisping reminded viewers that Chikadze owns 7 UFC wins fueled by a 4.66 strikes-landed-per-minute rate and a +1.52 striking differential, while Onama has been out-landed in three of his four octagon appearances. He noted Onama’s best weapon is opportunistic wrestling, but Chikadze stuffs 66 % of takedowns and resets in space where his speed and angle changes shine. With Onama “not as slick on the feet” and absorbing 5.31 significant strikes per minute, Bisping forecasted a mid-fight body-kick or head-kick finish and urged bettors toward Chikadze KO/TKO props rather than the money-line at heavy juice.

Michael Bisping sided with Anthony Smith in what is billed as Smith’s retirement bout against Zhang Mingyang, stressing that the veteran’s clearest path is via grappling. Zhang enters on a 10-fight first-round finish streak with vicious boxing, but each of his pro losses came by submission—exactly where “Lionheart” excels. Bisping questioned whether the 26-year-old has a defensive ground game ready for Smith’s slick triangles and guillotines. He also thinks Smith will benefit from a full camp and Kansas City’s quasi-hometown atmosphere after several short-notice losses. The analyst admitted the first five minutes are dangerous—Zhang throws early heat and has two UFC knockouts inside one round—but argued that if Smith survives the initial storm, takedowns and top control can tilt the fight. Bisping did acknowledge the retirement-mindset variable—wondering aloud whether Smith pushed himself hard enough in the gym—yet ultimately projected a veteran savvy submission or decision victory and suggested bettors look at Smith money-line or sub props while respecting Zhang KO Round-1 as the hedge.

Michael Bisping said Carlos Prates is his official pick to finish Ian Garry by knockout. Bisping highlighted Prates’ 4-0 record with four stoppages in 2024, noting every UFC appearance has ended inside the distance. He praised the Brazilian’s diverse striking arsenal—knees, body kicks and heavy hands—and emphasized that Prates carries fight-ending power in every limb rather than relying on a single punch. Bisping contrasted that finishing ability with Garry’s decision-heavy resume, pointing out that common opponent Geoff Neal went the distance with Garry yet was iced in the first round by Prates. He also reminded listeners Garry has been wobbled by Song Yadong and Michael “Venom” Page, suggesting his chin can be touched. Over a five-round main-event tempo, Bisping expects Prates to methodically cut the cage, back the taller Garry to the fence and land something decisive before cardio becomes a factor. While admitting Prates’ two-pack-a-day cigarette habit could hurt him late, Bisping still labeled an early KO the likeliest outcome and advised bettors to target Prates inside-the-distance props rather than rely on the judges.

Michael Bisping strongly refuted Colby Covington's claim that Alexander Volkanovski lacks motivation and is coming back just for a paycheck. Bisping explained Volkanovski is a 'true fighter' with genuine motivation to reclaim the UFC title, emphasizing Volk is driven to end his career positively and does not want to finish with three losses out of four fights. Bisping noted that Volkanovski's impressive stoppage of Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 about two years ago highlights he still has elite skills. This insight makes Volkanovski an attractive betting and fantasy MMA pick due to his continued championship-level ability and real desire to return to the top.

Michael Bisping strongly doubts Michael Chandler will attempt takedowns against Paddy Pimblett, despite Chandler's high-level wrestling backgrounds. Chandler rarely utilizes wrestling offensively in fights, and Bisping suggests the recent performance of Bobby Green, quickly submitted by Pimblett, will dissuade Chandler further. Specifically, Bisping recalled how Paddy Pimblett cinched a tight triangle-armbar on Green after shooting in for a takedown, serving as a clear deterrent. Thus, Bisping concludes Chandler likely avoids offensive grappling altogether, preferring a striking-focused attack against Pimblett to limit submission risk.

Michael Bisping highlighted Paddy Pimblett's recently improved dieting and conditioning, factors that notably enhance Pimblett's ability to operate effectively across multiple rounds against Michael Chandler at UFC 314. Pimblett, known previously for excessive weight fluctuations between fights, has stayed lean and appeared in noticeably better shape going into this fight camp. Bisping believes these improvements in conditioning and professional discipline mark a higher level of preparation appropriate for fighting elite UFC competition, significantly improving his chances of a tactical, movement-heavy decision win over Chandler.

Michael Bisping sees Michael Chandler as a significant knockout threat against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. Even though Bisping ultimately predicts a decision loss for Chandler, he clarified that any stoppage in the fight would come from Chandler, due to his power, experience, and aggressive style. Chandler possesses strong knockout capabilities exemplified by significant performances against fighters like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira. Bisping highlights Chandler's straightforward punching as problematic against Pimblett's tendency to leave his chin exposed while throwing looping strikes. Although Bisping's official pick is Pimblett by decision, he warns there is a realistic scenario where Chandler closes distance effectively and lands a fight-ending right hand.

Michael Bisping predicts Paddy Pimblett will upset Michael Chandler at UFC 314, earning a decision victory through a disciplined striking approach. Bisping expects Pimblett to avoid exchanges in the pocket, similar to Ian Garry's performance, by maintaining distance, using movement, employing low calf kicks, and frustrating Chandler with strategic jab work. He emphasizes that Pimblett has cleaned up his diet, indicating improved conditioning and a potentially easier weight cut. Despite acknowledging Chandler as the more powerful fighter with straight punches, higher experience and stronger physicality, Bisping sees Pimblett's measured and cautious fight IQ being enough to win on points. He explicitly states Pimblett isn't likely to wrestle or get a stoppage victory, but rather out-point Chandler over the duration of the fight.

Michael Bisping confidently selects Alexander Volkanovski to successfully defend his featherweight title against Diego Lopes. Despite recent losses, Bisping highlights Volkanovski's unparalleled experience against elite opponents like Max Holloway and Islam Makhachev, along with exceptional takedown and submission defense demonstrated in previous fights. Although Lopes is younger, fast, and dangerous, coming off victories against Brian Ortega and riding strong momentum, Bisping believes Volkanovski's superior footwork, veteran savvy, striking precision, and comprehensive skill set will overcome Lopes' aggressiveness. Volkanovski's year-long break and renewed psychological focus further convince Bisping he's ready to defend his title decisively.

Michael Bisping picks Paddy Pimblett to secure a decision victory over Michael Chandler. He anticipates a frustrating strategy from Pimblett akin to Ian Garry, using constant movement to keep Chandler off balance. Bisping notes Chandler typically neglects cautious strategies, preferring to engage openly, but acknowledges Chandler might feel extra pressure and attempt a wrestling-heavy game plan. However, he ultimately expects Pimblett to implement a tactical, elusive approach, effectively neutralizing Chandler's explosive striking and holding advantages on the judges' scorecards.

Michael Bisping favors Jean Silva to defeat Bryce Mitchell, pointing out Silva's substantial striking advantage versus Mitchell's limited stand-up skills. While acknowledging Mitchell's clear wrestling advantage, Bisping argues Silva is training intensely with the Fighting Nerds to specifically counter Mitchell's wrestling-heavy style. He believes Silva can stop Mitchell's takedowns and, even if taken down, has the ground skills and jiu-jitsu proficiency to either stand back up or threaten Mitchell with submissions from the bottom. For betting and fantasy purposes, Silva's multiple paths to victory and improved defensive wrestling make him a valuable selection.

Michael Bisping strongly favors Yair Rodriguez over former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull due to Rodriguez's speed, unpredictable striking arsenal, and youth compared to Pitbull's age (37) and late UFC debut. Bisping emphasizes Pitbull's proven knockout power but notes he's slowing down significantly. Meanwhile, Rodriguez brings dynamic kicks, elbows, knees, and momentum into this bout. Additionally, he cited Rodriguez's motivation and recent statements regarding Diego Lopes, suggesting extra drive for Rodriguez coming into this fight. Overall, Bisping clearly favors Rodriguez for his agility, versatile striking and perceived edge in athleticism and competitive fire.

Michael Bisping predicts Nikita Krylov to defeat Dominick Reyes primarily due to Krylov's wrestling and submission abilities. Reyes, previously promising, has suffered brutal knockouts leading to concerns about his durability and chin. Although Reyes took time away and rebounded impressively against Anthony Smith and Dustin Jacoby, Bisping thinks Krylov's ground skill and ability to secure early takedowns and submissions, exemplified by his triangle choke victory over Ryan Spann, give him an important stylistic advantage. If Krylov achieves a takedown, Reyes could be in significant trouble, making Krylov Bisping's preferred pick.

Michael Bisping strongly supports Sean Woodson against Dan Ige, noting Woodson's substantial height and reach advantage at 6'3" as a featherweight. Bisping highlighted Woodson's tremendous boxing skill, excellent jab, footwork, and striking defense, gained from extensive amateur boxing experience and consistent MMA training. Although Bisping acknowledges the danger from Ige's potent overhand right, he expects Woodson's disciplined striking to enable him to maintain distance and pick apart Ige methodically for a probable victory, thus signaling value for betting and daily fantasy sports consideration.

Michael Bisping confidently picks Yan Xiaonan to defeat Virna Jandiroba, praising her crisp boxing accuracy and continuous improvement since training with Team Alpha Male and Urijah Faber. Although Yan previously struggled against ground specialists like Carla Esparza, Bisping observed notable improvements in her last fight in Macau. Due to her evolving skillset and her clear striking advantage in this matchup, Xiaonan is expected by Bisping to handle Jandiroba comfortably.

Michael Bisping strongly favors Chase Hooper over Jim Miller, referencing Miller's advanced age at 41 and Hooper's considerable physical advantages. Hooper is exceptionally large for the weight class standing at 6'1" and has demonstrated marked improvements with each UFC appearance, currently riding a four-fight winning streak. This streak includes notable submission victories over Jordan Leavitt and Clay Guida, showcasing an evolving striking game notably improved against striker Viacheslav Borshchev before submitting him too. Given Hooper's youth, recent dominance, notable size advantage, and Miller's declining trajectory, Bisping believes Hooper is the clear favorite in this matchup.