Masvidal talks a big game about his stand-up but he's put on some boring AF fights against stand-up fighters and frankly fights best with a guy coming at him in exact right amount for him to fight at the pace he wants and has lost his last two such fights via decision (Thompson & Maia).
Ellenberger, Cerrone, and Pearson all gave him the kind of fight he wanted so he won, but Larkin and Henderson handed him losses as did Iaquinta in a fight the entire arena was booing.
I should probably be easier on Masvidal as his resume is full of tough, reputable names that are all in the upper echelon of the UFC.
I don't see him beating Till as Till will pressure him more than he would like and I think has the heat to pour it on if he senses and hesitation or fear in Masvidal.
Till via TKO in round 2.
Leon Edwards vs Gunnar Nelson
Edwards is a tough stand-up fight for anyone, but he isn't particularly volume based, nor is he one he puts together long combos, Gunnar will closed the distance after picking Edwards apart with his arsenal of kids and long/Karate stance. I haven't seen anything in Edwards takedown defense that will stop Nelson's wrestling and control once on top. Once on top he will give him the Oliveira treatment AKA mount, to punishment, to giving up the back, and loss via RNC.
Nelson by 1st round RNC.
Oezdemir vs Reyes - Oezdemir got his title shot but got the Cormier treatment in the form of takedown, punishment, giving up the back, palm to palm/short choke. Reyes is coming off of a win over Cannonier and OSP. He's got 3 stopapges out of his 4 UFC fights in a similarly convincing trajectory that Oezdemir followed in his UFC tenure that reached its zenith with a title shot. Oezdemir is coming off a loss to Anthony Smith (who has since fought a terribly lackluster non-fight fight against Jon Jones) and Daniel Cormier. Prior to that he had convincing wins over Manuwa, Cirkunov, and OSP.
This is tough, I think Oezdemir takes it as he's only lost to 2 of the most stoppage accumulating fighters in recent UFC memory.
Oezdemir by 2nd round KO.
Diakiase vs Duffy - Diakese is coming off of 3 losses. Duffy is 2-2 in his last 4 but has fought names like Poirier and Vick to his credit.
Duffy by unanimous decision.
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