Matthieu Duclos

He builds a real technical case for Duclos -- projecting him as the more polished striker who keeps the fight standing -- but undercuts his own enthusiasm by admitting this whole stretch of the card leaves him lukewarm on both sides.

Duclos gets this opportunity partly because the card needed a name to fill out the Paris slot, though the analyst is clear that doesn't make the booking undeserved -- he calls him a genuinely good fighter. He's a well-rounded, switch-stance striker who kicks to every level, favors a strong leg kick, moves well, and counters effectively, and the analyst gives him the edge as the tidier, more technical striker in this particular pairing. His grappling grades out as decent across the board -- solid tripping ability and a top position he controls well on the occasions he opts to use it, though his takedown defense only rates as middling. The overall read has him controlling the striking exchanges and keeping the fight on the feet, which is the basis for the pick.