Wes Schultz

Picked against, but with real respect for his finishing tools and an acknowledged chance he wins via submission.

A technically sound but not especially powerful fighter whose best paths to winning run through the mat, including a real chance of a finish if he ever gets a hold of the right position.

Picked with real, stated uncertainty -- the analyst says the opponent flying across the world scares him and settles on this side without full confidence.

Carries genuine limitations -- power is light for a middleweight -- but the positives are real as well. His kicking is varied and reaches every level, aided by unusual flexibility that opens up awkward angles most guys can't kick from, and his straight punches, while similarly light on power, function mainly to set up the takedown. On the mat he's a legitimate threat, built on a solid BJJ foundation and genuine wrestling roots: he gets fighters down, returns them to the mat reliably, holds decent top control against the majority of opponents, likes working elbows once ground and pound starts, takes the back well, hunts for submissions, and never stops moving when he's underneath.

Picks the underdog on a clear grappling and cardio path, expecting him to wear the bigger puncher down and find a finish.

Schultz brings a varied kicking attack and straight punches he uses to set up his real strength: a strong grappling game built on good mat returns, top control, and a submission-heavy attack once he's on top or taking the back, plus real flexibility and activity even from his back. What he lacks is real power for his weight class, meaning the exchanges likely favor his opponent if the fight stays standing. As an underdog, he's picked to grind the fight down with wrestling and heart and find a finish before it's over.