Prediction: Nicolas Dalby inside the distance
While Brown has made noticeable improvements since the Maddalena loss and is coming off one of the most complete performances of his career, the deeper layers of this fight favor Dalby’s pressure, durability, and ability to drag opponents into the kind of fight that tests everything they’ve got—including cardio, grit, and mental composure.
Since that Maddalena loss, Brown has shown clear evolution in his game. He’s started fighting with more discipline, actually using his natural gifts instead of relying on them. He’s using his length better, keeping his jab sharp, and his footwork has become more proactive instead of just evasive. His performance against Bryan Battle was particularly impressive—he stood his ground against a relentless fighter and landed some of the most composed and damaging shots we’ve seen from him. That was a real leveling-up moment. He looked like a fighter who wasn’t just talented, but intentional in his game planning and execution.
But with that, you could see the cracks. Battle was able to push him against the cage, clinch up, and make Brown work in positions that drained his gas tank. The first round was masterclass work from Brown, but the later rounds showed how he can get stuck in the mud when someone doesn’t give him the space he needs. That’s where Dalby shines. Dalby thrives in high-pace, high-pressure fights where he can wear on you from minute one with his pace, cardio, and willingness to get gritty in the clinch.
Dalby doesn’t need a clean, technical fight to win. In fact, he wants the opposite. His first rounds are usually slower reads, but once he has the rhythm, he hits the gas. His kicks are fast and frequent, and he throws them with little windup, just adding volume and pressure. Then he starts walking you down, getting to the clinch, and that’s where the fight becomes his. He doesn’t give you breathing room. He’ll throw knees, elbows, short punches in close—never stopping.
Brown has the tools to win early—his length, his striking accuracy, and his shot selection can absolutely give Dalby problems in round one. But if he doesn’t hurt Dalby early or create enough space to manage the pace, he starts to drown. Dalby’s not the type to go away, and he’s not the type to wait for round three to bring the fight to you. He’s going to walk through shots, close distance, and turn it into a war. And historically, Brown has shown that once things get ugly, his ability to stay composed and effective fades.