The Weasle confidently predicts Alexander Volkanovski to regain the featherweight title by fifth-round TKO against Diego Lopes, highlighting Volkanovski's tremendous skillset, strategic IQ, elite-level conditioning, and relentless offensive pressure. Volkanovski has not only proven capable of throwing and landing massive volume—400 strikes thrown, over 200 landed in his third fight versus Max Holloway—but also consistently maintaining extraordinary pace into championship rounds. Against Lopes, a fighter historically fading after early rounds and lacking the proven five-round cardio on a UFC championship stage, Volkanovski's pace, aggression, distance management, and feints should systematically deplete Lopes' endurance. Late-round TKO appears almost inevitable if the fight reaches rounds four and five, emphasizing Volkanovski as highly undervalued at only -125 per the current betting lines due to recent knockout losses that could be skewing market perception.

The Weasle believes Diego Lopes has a very narrow path to victory against Alexander Volkanovski, primarily due to his cardio limitations. While Lopes has tremendous knock-out power, especially when counter-punching, his style tends to be reactive rather than proactive, making it harder for him to dictate pace and pressure necessary against a highly skilled and tactically superior opponent like Volkanovski. Historically, Lopes' significantly decreased output after the first round in UFC appearances raises concerns about his endurance over a five-round championship fight, especially with Volkanovski's relentless offensive pressure through feints, low kicks, body shots, and pace-setting jabs. Therefore, Lopes' realistic winning window exists predominantly in rounds one and two. If the fight extends beyond this, The Weasle foresees Volkanovski's elite cardio and output completely overwhelming Lopes, ultimately leading to Lopes' likely fifth-round stoppage loss.

The Weasle thinks Michael Chandler should defeat Paddy Pimblett via first-round knockout—but emphasizes this is contingent on Chandler fighting strategically and abandoning his recent reckless 'showmanship' style. Chandler possesses clear skill advantages: powerful punching, good wrestling, explosive athleticism, and effective pressure style—attributes particularly dangerous given Pimblett's mediocre striking defense, stationary stance, and lower-level wrestling. Chandler is desperate, coming off two consecutive losses and needing to protect his UFC career with a crucial win. Assuming Chandler recognizes the urgency and listens to his coaches, fighting disciplined instead of chasing entertainment, he should easily score a KO finish in the first round.

The Weasle predicts Jean Silva will beat Bryce Mitchell via second-round TKO, emphasizing Silva's significantly superior striking power and technique versus Mitchell's limited striking—one-dimensional boxing, average kicks, poor footwork, and weak distance management. Although Silva was previously taken down by Charles Jourdain, whose wrestling is inferior, that fight's takedown success was due largely to Silva not expecting grappling and thus not training takedown defense. Silva is expected to have prepared extensively for Mitchell's known wrestling threat. Silva's takedown defense and vastly superior striking advantage should lead to him landing frequent substantial blows on Mitchell, repeatedly dropping him before finally finishing via TKO in the second round.

The Weasle highlights Jim Miller as an intriguing betting underdog at +550 against Chase Hooper. Despite recognizing Hooper as likely to win the matchup primarily due to age, trajectory, and stylistic advantages, The Weasle feels the betting line severely undervalues Miller’s extensive UFC experience, durability, and veteran savvy. Miller has remained competitive across a long UFC tenure against top-level opponents and continues to demonstrate intelligent adaptability inside the octagon. Given the significant experience disparity, Hooper being priced so heavily at -800 creates a favorable opportunity to take a speculative flyer—a profitable longshot scenario—on Miller's considerably inflated odds.

The Weasle picks Yair Rodriguez by third-round TKO over Patricio Pitbull, citing Rodriguez's size and dynamic kicking style as severe stylistic mismatches. Pitbull, a natural bantamweight-framed fighter at just 5'4, faces pronounced physical disadvantages as Rodriguez is 5'11. Pitbull struggles against fighters who employ movement and kicking-based offenses, and Rodriguez is known precisely for elite movement, high-level kicks, and strong octagon navigation. While Pitbull possesses considerable knockout power, he's stationary with slower movement. Rodriguez's ability to fight well at long range combined with sizable height and mobility advantages positions him to overcome Pitbull by landing damaging head kicks likely resulting in a TKO finish in round three.

The Weasle sees Dominick Reyes defeating Nikita Krylov in a stylistically favorable match-up that should aid Reyes' resurgence. Krylov has limited head movement and thus presents an inviting target for Reyes’s powerful and precise left hand—a tool Reyes has efficiently utilized both aggressively and while countering off his back foot in recent performances. Additionally, Reyes's exceptional takedown defense, supported by his explosive athleticism and underhook proficiency, should deter Krylov’s grappling attacks, compelling the fight to remain standing where Reyes holds pronounced advantages. Krylov’s unique movement and kicking skills might pose challenges, yet Reyes’s strength in precision punching is viewed by The Weasle as decisive in granting him victory.

The Weasle picks Sean Woodson to win a decision over Dan Ige, heavily emphasizing Woodson's tremendous physical advantages—he stands 8 inches taller with a substantial 7-inch reach advantage. Woodson is precise at using his reach and footwork intelligently, capable of resetting the fight’s exchanges at will and dictating range effectively due to proficiency both from distance striking and in clinch scenarios. Contrasts starkly with Dan Ige, who lacks speed and likely will struggle significantly against these inherent physical disadvantages. The Weasle suggests that Woodson's control over exchanges and ability to keep distance comfortably positions him solidly for a decision victory through technical dominance.

The Weasle expects Julian Erosa to beat Darren Elkins by second-round submission. Highlighting Elkins' physical decline, notably slower movement, Erosa’s distinct advantage lies in his size, greater striking power, and significantly more dangerous submission game. Although Elkins holds a wrestling advantage stylistically, it is expected that this strength alone will be insufficient against Erosa’s aggressive, dangerous submission threats and striking. Given Elkins' reduced quickness and insufficient defensive striking acumen, Erosa should successfully capitalize in the exchanges and find a finishing submission in round two.

The Weasle predicts Michal Oleksiejczuk to defeat Sedriques Dumas by decision, primarily relying on his superior stand-up skills. Despite Dumas having recently improved his wrestling, his striking remains wild and defensively flawed, frequently dropping his hands. Oleksiejczuk's more technical striking, highlighted by a precise left straight from the southpaw stance and good right hooks combined with excellent footwork, should allow him to inflict substantial damage during stand-up exchanges. Though takedown attempts could present some risk, Oleksiejczuk's defensive grappling should sufficiently neutralize Dumas's improved wrestling, allowing him to accumulate points and secure a decision based on damage.

The Weasle anticipates Marco Tulio will finish Tresean Gore by second-round knockout due to a large gap in striking skills. Tulio is significantly slicker on the feet, possessing superior counter-striking. Gore leaves significant openings when throwing strikes, notably dropping his jab hand frequently, which aligns perfectly for Tulio's powerful counters. Although Gore shows decent submission threats, his wrestling isn't strong enough to consistently take down Tulio, who is also defensively competent in grappling exchanges. The Weasle believes Tulio's advantage in technical striking, counter opportunities, and defensive wrestling will set up a finishing sequence typically after countering Gore's exposed jab in round two.