Axel Sola

The analyst lays out a real path for Sola — turn it ugly, press forward, and make Ziam fight at a lower pace — but then admits he is not sure Sola can absorb what comes back, which undercuts the case for him.

Sola is a well-rounded, high-floor fighter — an accurate, long jab that changes levels, genuine toughness, and a willingness to stand and trade. He also brings a heavy kick to the leg and good footwork, plus a grappling game that mixes in takedowns and strong pressure against the cage. Even off his back he's dangerous, hunting leg locks and popping right back up if he's taken down. Nothing in his game is a standout, elite weapon, which is really the point — there isn't an obvious hole either, and his clearest route to winning is to make the fight ugly and pressure an opponent who can be prone to fighting at a lower output.

Picked because the analyst believes he has more grit than the more technically skilled opponent, explicitly saying he has to pick the fighter he thinks is less skilled but tougher.

A pretty good striker with a good long jab worked high and low, generally accurate, a heavy leg kick, and good movement. Genuinely durable -- cited for absorbing a beating without caring about his own safety in a prior fight. Grappling isn't his primary tool but he'll mix in takedowns, has a decent cage push, and works back to his feet using leg attacks to threaten space rather than actually finish them.

Favored the pressure fighter's ability to close range and turn the fight ugly over the technician's ability to keep it at distance.

Sola is the technician here — a long, accurate jab worked high and low, heavy leg kicks, and clean footwork that let him dictate range. On the mat he mostly plays off his back with leg attacks to create scrambles and get back up, though he can push opponents into the cage and stall effectively when he wants to slow the pace. His path to winning runs through keeping this fight at distance and picking his opponent apart from the outside.