Ailin Perez

Backs the higher-output grappler over a bad style and location matchup, expecting the weight cut to sap the favorite's engine.

Perez fights behind constant forward pressure, using knees and volume to close in before latching onto a body lock that sets up her takedowns. Once she's on top she advances position well and isn't afraid to posture and strike even at the cost of giving up control, a trade she's comfortable making because she trusts her own conditioning over a full fight. That superior gas tank, plus a favorable style and location matchup, is the crux of the pick in her favor.

He frames it as a clear step up in competition for the debuting Perez, arguing Egger has already fought and beaten legitimate opposition while Perez has only looked good against overmatched opponents.

Perez enters her UFC debut having blown through a string of lesser opponents in eye-catching fashion, but the analyst is quick to note none of those opponents were particularly good, leaving her ceiling against real UFC talent untested. She's also facing a tougher assignment than originally booked after a late opponent change. Style-wise she's flagged as an unusually fun, high-energy fighter to watch, which could make her a name worth following regardless of Saturday's result.