Prediction: Yadier Del Valle via Decision
On paper, Dulgarian’s wrestling and ground-and-pound are terrifying. When he’s in top position, he’s a storm. Heavy hips, brutal elbows, and an almost reckless pace that buries opponents under pressure. He’s built a reputation for finishing early, with most of his wins coming in the first round, usually by overwhelming guys who can’t keep up with his wrestling transitions or scramble speed. But the truth is, that dominance has come against limited opposition. Every opponent who’s tried to match his grappling has been a step below UFC level guys who folded the moment they couldn’t get up. The moment Dulgarian faced someone with composure, cardio, and actual defensive grappling awareness, his game cracked. His pace dropped drastically, his entries got sloppier, and he started getting reversed and controlled. That’s not just a cardio issue that’s an experience issue.
Del Valle, on the other hand, is a dog. You can’t quantify that easily, but you can see it in how he fights. He doesn’t panic when he’s put in bad spots. He’s comfortable off his back, constantly working to sweep or create scrambles, and his jiu-jitsu credentials give him confidence where most wrestlers crumble. That hesitation is where Dulgarian’s problems start. If he can’t freely posture and drop ground and pound, he becomes less effective, and that’s where a composed fighter like Del Valle can start taking over. He’s not easy to hold down, and once he’s back to his feet, he’s aggressive enough to make you pay for the energy you just spent trying to keep him there.
Striking wise, neither of these two are elite technicians, but Del Valle has shown a better ability to maintain composure and keep his fundamentals intact when tired. He doesn’t rely on pure explosiveness; he relies on grit and consistent pressure. Dulgarian’s striking is functional at best. Big overhands to close distance and set up level changes. Del Valle’s defensive grappling should give him a chance to drag this fight deeper than Dulgarian is used to going, and that’s where the value lies. Dulgarian is the rightful favorite based on pedigree and potential, but Del Valle’s fight IQ, durability, and ability to survive early chaos make him live all night.