Rear Naked Locks

Malcolm Wellmaker sucks. #UFCVegas117🔒’s go 3-1 GREAT night…OUTSIDE of Wellmaker. What a loser. It’s fine. But we demand better. Onward!📈

@LMMA_03 Dawg💀

@LMMA_03 LMAO no brainer.😂🥊🔒

*Trying to get excited for PFL*

“Here comes the Crimson Chin!”

#UFCVegas117🔒’s: Cavalcanti/Vieira O2.5 Rds Malcolm Wellmaker ML Alice Ardelean ML Tommy Gantt ML (GO PACK) Cheers👊🏼 *These are LOCKS, NOT official bets* #UFC #MMA #MMATwitter

Allen vs. Costa #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Melquizael Costa Breakdown: Allen is a steady, technical striker who works in measured entries. He can land clean and exit safely when his rhythm is set, and he’s generally composed in exchanges. His game is built around efficiency and control rather than high-output pressure. Costa is more dynamic and active. He’s a well-rounded kickboxer with solid BJJ, comfortable mixing phases, and he stays busy in the cage. He doesn’t wait for the fight to come to him, he forces it to stay engaged. Over time, that can disrupt Allen’s rhythm and timing. This comes down to pace and initiative. If Allen can keep things structured and pick moments cleanly, he can edge rounds with precision. But if Costa maintains consistent activity, mixes striking with grappling threats, and keeps Allen reacting, he has the tools to take over stretches of the fight. In a close matchup, Costa’s output and versatility make him the live upset. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #ArnoldAllen #MelquizaelCosta

Choi vs. Santos #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Doo Ho Choi Breakdown: Choi is the more technical, measured operator. He can strike cleanly at range, manage exchanges with timing, and mix in grappling when needed without forcing chaos. His approach is more structured, which tends to keep him efficient across rounds. Santos brings the Chute Boxe mindset with pressure, intensity, and a willingness to make fights messy. He’s well-rounded, can strike and grapple, and becomes increasingly dangerous as the fight progresses and pace turns into attrition. If the fight gets extended into scrambles or high-tempo exchanges, he’s live to swing momentum late. The difference is early structure vs late chaos. Choi’s technical edge should allow him to bank cleaner exchanges and avoid unnecessary firefights early. Santos has the tools to make it ugly and dangerous as it wears on, but Choi’s discipline and cleaner work give him the more reliable path over three rounds. Choi gets the edge in a tighter, more technical fight. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #DooHoChoi #DanielSantos

Wellmaker vs. Diaz #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Malcolm Wellmaker Breakdown: Wellmaker is a pressure striker who builds momentum by staying active and forcing exchanges. He’s at his best when he’s walking opponents down, working behind volume, and keeping them reacting rather than initiating. Diaz is a more gritty yet defensively aware fighter who looks to pick spots and avoid getting drawn into extended brawls. He’s generally more comfortable in a slower, controlled rhythm where he can reset and manage range. The fight comes down to who dictates pace. If Diaz can consistently reset and keep Wellmaker at bay, he can make this competitive. But if Wellmaker gets into his rhythm and keeps pushing forward, his volume and pressure should start stacking rounds and forcing Diaz into uncomfortable exchanges. Over time, Wellmaker’s pace and forward pressure are the more reliable scoring tools. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #MalcolmWellmaker #JuanDiaz

Bukauskas vs. Edwards #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Modestas Bukauskas Breakdown: Bukauskas is a long, technical striker who does his best work at range. He’s measured, picks shots well, and can punish opponents who try to walk him down recklessly. He’s most effective when he can keep exchanges structured and avoid extended clinch or grappling sequences. Edwards is the more opportunistic, physical fighter. He’s willing to push pace, mix in grappling looks, and turn fights into scrambles where athleticism and aggression matter more than clean technique. His success usually comes from forcing reactions rather than winning clean exchanges. The fight likely comes down to distance control. If Bukauskas keeps it at range, he should be able to outpoint Edwards with cleaner striking and better structure. If Edwards can consistently crash the pocket, force clinches, or drag it into messy exchanges, he can make it competitive. But over three rounds, Bukauskas’ range management and cleaner striking give him the more reliable scoring path. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #ModestasBukauskas #ChristianEdwards

Veretennikov vs. Williams #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Khaos Williams Breakdown: Veretennikov is a durable, forward-leaning striker who looks to impose himself with power shots and consistent engagement. He’s willing to trade and doesn’t shy away from exchanges, but his game is largely built around striking without much secondary layer. Williams is a pure danger striker. He waits for reads, then explodes with fight-ending power once opponents’ hands start dropping or rhythms get predictable. He’s most dangerous in mid-range exchanges where small defensive lapses turn into big consequences. This is largely a striking matchup with little grappling threat to change the dynamic. That puts a premium on who lands first and who controls the exchanges. Veretennikov’s durability keeps him in it, but Williams is the more explosive, more punishing striker when openings appear. Over time, that power edge is the difference. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #NikolayVeretennikov #KhaosWilliams

Tokkos vs. Erslan #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Ivan Erslan Breakdown: Tokkos is a pressure-based grappler who uses striking to close distance and force clinch exchanges. He’s willing to walk through shots to get to his wrestling, and if he’s able to establish top position, he can slow fights down and control tempo effectively. Erslan is dangerous once exchanges open up. He changes looks on the feet fight to fight, but when he sees openings, he unloads aggressively and carries real finishing ability. His style can be volatile, but the power and instincts are there. Everything points toward Tokkos having opportunities to pressure, wrestle, and dictate position but that pressure comes with risks against someone willing to fire back hard in transitions and entries. If Tokkos has to absorb shots to close distance, Erslan will have chances to land something meaningful. Tokkos may control stretches of the fight, but I trust Erslan to find the shot that changes it. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #TucoTokkos #IvanErslan

Gantt vs. Minev #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Tommy Gantt Breakdown: Gantt is a long, composed striker who manages range well and builds his offense behind measured pressure. Underneath the striking, he’s a wrestler by nature capable of mixing in clean takedowns when opponents start settling into exchanges. Minev looks like a fairly balanced fighter overall. He’s willing to throw with intent on the feet, particularly head hunting in exchanges, and he appears comfortable enough grappling if scrambles open up. Still, there are more unknowns around how he handles sustained pressure and layered wrestling. The matchup favors Gantt’s structure. He has the cleaner range game, more reliable wrestling foundation, and more ways to dictate tempo if the striking stays competitive. If Minev starts loading up on shots, it should open opportunities for Gantt to change levels and control position. Minev has danger in exchanges, but Gantt feels like the steadier and more complete side here. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #TommyGantt #ArturMinev

Cuamba vs. Sopaj #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Bernardo Sopaj Breakdown: Cuamba is a clean, composed striker who does his best work at range. He keeps things technical, picks shots, and tries to stay defensively responsible rather than chasing chaos. He’s generally more comfortable when he can set the tempo and avoid extended exchanges in the pocket. Sopaj is the more aggressive, opportunistic fighter. He pushes pace, looks to force reactions, and is more willing to turn exchanges messy to create openings. Even if he’s not always the cleaner technician, he’s more likely to impose urgency and make the fight less comfortable. The key here is initiative. If Cuamba can control distance and keep it a disciplined striking match, he can edge moments. But if Sopaj consistently gets inside, forces exchanges, and turns it into a higher-tempo fight, he should be able to steal rounds with pressure and activity. In a close matchup, I trust Sopaj’s ability to impose chaos and keep Cuamba reacting. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #TimothyCuamba #BernardoSopaj

Vieira vs. Cavalcanti #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Ketlen Vieira Breakdown: Vieira is a strong, physical grappler with a disciplined approach. She uses clinch work, trips, and positional control to slow fights down, and she’s comfortable turning striking exchanges into cage pressure and takedown battles. Her ability to win minutes comes from control more than output. Cavalcanti is a cleaner, more technical striker who works well at range. She moves well, stays composed, and tends to be more active in open space. The challenge is that she can be backed up and tied down if opponents consistently force clinches and grappling exchanges. This fight likely comes down to where it takes place. If Vieira can consistently get Cavalcanti to the fence and turn it into a grinding, positional fight, she should be able to accumulate control time and edge rounds. If Cavalcanti keeps space and forces a striking match, she has the cleaner path to win moments. But over three rounds, Vieira’s clinch and control game is the more reliable scoring structure. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #KetlenVieira #JacquelineCavalcanti

Petroski vs. Brundage #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Andre Petroski Breakdown: Petroski is a pressure wrestler with a clear identity: close distance, force clinches, and grind opponents down with top control and steady positional work. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistent when he gets the fight where he wants it. Brundage is more of a scrappy, explosive all-rounder. He’s capable in grappling exchanges and can threaten in scrambles, but his defensive structure can break down when he’s forced to defend sustained pressure. On the feet, he has moments, but he’s not a high-volume or consistent outfighter. This comes down to who imposes wrestling first. If Petroski is able to dictate position and keep Brundage reacting, he should be able to bank control time and rounds. Brundage has a path in chaotic exchanges or quick scrambles, but over time Petroski’s pressure wrestling is the more reliable framework. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #AndrePetroski #CodyBrundage

Viana vs. Ardelean #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Alice Ardelean Breakdown: Viana is a grappler first. She’s most dangerous when she can close distance, force clinches, and work opponents into grappling exchanges where she can hunt submissions or top control. On the feet, she’s serviceable but not the one dictating tempo. Ardelean is a volume-based striker who does her best work on the front foot. She stays active, builds points through output, and is defensively responsible enough in grappling to avoid being consistently controlled for long stretches. The fight comes down to whether Viana can consistently drag this into extended grappling exchanges. If she can’t, Ardelean’s steady pressure and striking output should allow her to bank rounds. Over time, the volume and cage control likely favor Ardelean in a decision fight. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #PolyanaViana #AliceArdelean

Barez vs. Gurule #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Daniel Barez Breakdown: Barez is at his best moving forward. He builds offense through pressure, steady volume, and grappling entries that come behind his striking. Once he starts dictating pace, he’s good at forcing opponents into reactive exchanges and uncomfortable positions. The issue is when he’s pushed backward his game loses some structure off the back foot. Gurule is a balanced, high-cardio fighter who can compete across phases without fading. He’s composed, well rounded, and capable of matching pace while adjusting between striking and grappling when needed. This matchup likely comes down to cage control and initiative. If Gurule can force Barez backward and disrupt the pressure, the fight becomes much more competitive. But if Barez consistently owns the center and gets to work behind forward movement, his volume and grappling pressure should start stacking rounds. Close fight stylistically, but Barez has the clearer path if he controls tempo early. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas117 #DanielBarez #LuisGurule

Bannon vs. Caliari #UFCVegas117 Projected Winner: Nicolle Caliari Breakdown: Bannon is primarily a striker who does her best work at range, staying composed and picking shots cleanly. She’s capable enough grappling defensively, but her game is built around keeping fights standing and working behind technique rather than physicality. Caliari is a chain wrestler who thrives once the fight starts transitioning. One shot leads to another, and she’s persistent about forcing clinches, mat returns, and extended grappling exchanges until opponents break positionally. The matchup comes down to whether Bannon can consistently deny the wrestling entries and keep space. If Caliari starts building takedown sequences early, the fight likely shifts into long stretches of control and pressure that favor her style heavily. Bannon should have success striking in open space, but Caliari’s ability to dictate where the fight takes place gives her the edge. #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #ShaunaBannon #NicolleCaliari

No more main events…no more. #UFC328🔒’s go 3-2! Unacceptable. Chimaev…wtf man. Jared…wtf man. ONWARD!📈