Prediction: Dos Santos via Decision
Magny’s been a staple at welterweight for years, but let’s be real—that gatekeeper label doesn’t apply anymore. He’s not that gritty pressure fighter that used to drown dudes with volume and cage control. Now? He’s a shell of that guy—still smart, still experienced, but the fire just isn’t there.
His striking used to come with purpose—he’d pump that long jab, walk guys down, and smother them in the clinch. But lately, it’s like he’s just fighting to survive. Minimal output, no pop on his shots, and he’s getting backed up way too easily for someone with his size and reach. That’s a problem against someone like Dos Santos, who feeds off hesitation. If you’re not throwing with conviction, Elizeu is gonna find his reads and start teeing off with those explosive counters.
Dos Santos might not be in his prime anymore either, but he’s still fighting with way more urgency than Magny. He’s sharp in bursts, mixes things up well, and isn’t afraid to take risks. That’s huge in this matchup because Magny’s not punishing those risks the way he used to. The longer this fight stays standing, the more likely it is that Elizeu finds big moments—whether it’s a counter right, a spinning kick, or a sneaky blitz combo. He’s the one bringing the damage.
If Magny goes to that clinch grind game he’s known for, he might find out that Dos Santos isn’t easy to bully. In fact, with Magny’s physicality and slower reaction time, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Elizeu reverse positions or even take him down. He’s got solid hips and sneaky jiu-jitsu—and he’s not afraid to be offensive in grappling exchanges.
This all comes down to intent. Dos Santos still fights like he’s trying to win every moment. Magny, lately, fights like he’s trying to make it to the final bell. That’s a huge red flag when you’re matched up with someone explosive, unpredictable, and capable of capitalizing on low volume and low urgency. Dos Santos has the power, the timing, and the aggression to steal rounds or even finish if Magny gets caught staring.
At this point in both of their careers, Dos Santos just wants it more, and that’s enough for me to ride with him.