Colby Thicknesse

Picked as a root-beer fight -- the analyst says he's a fan of both fighters and thinks either has a real chance to win.

A decent striker whose kicks land from either leg at any level -- ideally he fights from kicking distance, though staying there against a boxer who presses forward is genuinely uncertain. He also uses fake takedown entries as a striking wrinkle, shooting without real commitment just to pop back up and land something. Recovery is a real asset: he's absorbed hard shots more than once and snapped back quickly each time. As a grappler he's solid, with decent takedowns that would play up if he chased them harder -- instead he tends to let a failed attempt go rather than re-shoot. He's also a strong back-taker, leaning on the rear-naked choke so persistently that it wears on an opponent's attention even when the finish doesn't come. Long limbs give him good control on top and solid ground and pound, but his own takedown defense leaves something to be desired.