Kyle Anthony

THE PLAY: Brunno Ferreira +164

This is a rematch from their fight back in 2023. In that matchup it was a back and forth slugfest as both fighters were landing. Brunno mixing it up well in round 1 then landing a big hook that brutally knocked out Rodriguez. It was a nice cash with Brunno as a sizeable +270 dog. This time around Brunno is still the dog and I'm happy to jump on the plus money again. Since that fight both have been on nice runs, with Brunno going 6-2 and Rodriguez on a 5-1 run. Sure, Gregory has solid boxing and high level grappling willing to exchange in the pocket, he's an aggressive fighter but consistently leaves his chin on the centerline to be hit. Over his career he's been susceptible to the knockout and has been hurt multiple times. Out of his 4 career losses 3 of which are by knockout and many other fights he's been rocked. While Brunno packs big time power always looking to walk his opponent down and brawl. What I like most about his striking is the footwork and movement. He's short for the division but relies on working angles then blitzing forward to enter the pocket. This is exactly how Ferreira was able to knock Rodriguez out in their first fight. Gregory is very flat footed with a plotting style walking opponents down and Brunno's explosiveness gave him problems. I fully expect the same issues to arise and that head of Rodriguez to be on a platter. Although Rodriguez has high level grappling he doesn't always utilize his wrestling and at times struggling getting the fight to the ground, over his last 3 fights he's 0-7 on takedowns. Even in their first fight Rodriguez took Brunno down for 10 seconds, Ferreira scrambled right back to his feet then put him out cold. Plus at weight in's Friday Brunno looked in fantastic shape and believe another knockout win is live. Sprinkling some on the knockout at +275 has value but I'm very comfortable with the moneyline play at solid plus money.