Every time a new card drops, we bring on a guest expert who shares their take on the matchups and lays out their picks for every fight.
For BFL 69, Ramil Kamilov (6-4) is lending his expertise and sharing his picks across the full slate of eight fights on the card.
Kamilov ranks as the #1 amateur welterweight in Canada right now and has taken his game global by competing at the IMMAF World Championships. He's expected to turn pro sometime this year.
Below are his predictions for BFL 69:
Caio Machado (5-1-1) vs. Lee Mein (11-15): PRO Heavyweight Title Bout**
"Mein's a veteran who's built his career on ground control—if he gets someone on their back, they're in serious trouble. Given Machado's current form and how their last encounter went down, I'd lean toward picking the champion. This one isn't going the distance. That said, if Mein can weather the early storm, he might have enough experience to pull off a clever finish."
Prediction: Mein wins via submission in the first round.
Nicolas Ouellet (1-0) vs. Mike McAloon (4-2): PRO Featherweight OUELLET PREVIEW, MCALOON PREVIEW
"A straightforward choice. Ouellet's grappling is formidable—a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu represents something substantial, especially considering his age. On top of that, he's spent over a decade developing his striking, so standup combat isn't foreign territory for him. That said, I've followed McAloon's trajectory for several years, even when he was fighting back east. This fighter brings toughness and deserves wider recognition. He carries significantly more cage time under his belt. Ouellet hasn't survived past round one, and if this bout extends, he'll face serious pressure. Everyone enjoys cheering for a pristine record and a decorated finisher, but competitive MMA grappling differs from pure jiu-jitsu. If McAloon keeps the fight standing—which I expect him to—it'll be a grueling evening for Ouellet."
Prediction: McAloon wins via TKO in the second round.
Leo Xavier (4-1) vs. Rafael Palomeque (2-2): PRO 175 pounds
"Xavier is my full commitment here. Easily my strongest pick on the entire card."
Prediction: Xavier wins via submission in the first round.
Indroop Virk (1-0) vs. Austin Russell (1-0): PRO 131 pounds
"This one reads like a classic striker versus grappler dynamic. Virk arrives undefeated with solid amateur credentials. Russell matches him in experience and brings versatility across all phases. I don't picture Virk securing a finish, while Russell's creativity gives him opportunities no matter how the fight unfolds. Modern MMA rarely sees wrestlers caught on the mat when they control position, but Russell consistently threatens. When he gets brought down—and that will almost certainly occur—I trust he won't settle passively searching for opportunistic submissions. Instead, I'd like to see him regain his feet and exhaust his opponent with sharp striking, particularly through effective feints. Russell possesses exceptional striking ability and a strong foundation in traditional martial arts. I'm taking Russell to finish this fight at any point, in whatever unexpected manner."
Prediction: Russell wins via TKO in the second round.
Jonathan Broad (1-0) vs. Kenny Pope: PRO Welterweight
"This matchup is where the card truly becomes compelling. Drawing on my amateur background, I typically favor seasoned competitors. Unfortunately, that instinct doesn't apply here. I've previously watched Pope compete and found his ground work noteworthy, yet he's been stopped by TKO on multiple occasions. Broad is young, conditioned, focused, and eager. With all respect, I can't envision Pope possessing the wrestling necessary to take Broad down or weather the early storm. I genuinely hope I'm mistaken."
Prediction: Broad wins via knockout in the first round.
Seth Connor (1-2) vs. Gwyn Berry (0-0): PRO Featherweight
"Both competitors carry significant amateur pedigrees. I haven't had the chance to review extensive footage of either fighter in competition. Berry trains at a quality camp, though his victories appear less convincing to me compared to his opponent's accomplishments. This should deliver a solid, competitive contest."
Prediction: Connor wins via unanimous decision.
Jag Bhullar (3-0) vs. Rizwan Qureshi (0-0): AMATEUR Heavyweight Title Bout**
"Bhullar represents the inverse of our opening contender—the more experienced competitor. With three first-round finishes already, there's a risk he might underestimate his debutant foe. At heavyweight, fatigue creeps in quickly, making it tempting to ease off and relax his approach. Still, I believe his experience will prove decisive. Additionally, his opponent sports a remarkably fitting surname. In my native language, 'Kures' translates to wrestling."
Prediction: Bhullar wins via split decision.
Mani El-Hefnawy (3-2) vs. Kees Huisman (0-0): AMATEUR Bantamweight
"El-Hefnawy trains out of Jauncey's gym and has competed in several bouts, all decided on the scorecards. He's also dealt with a handful of cancelled fights. I anticipate he'll be fiercely motivated and feel far more at home inside the cage than his opponent."
Prediction: El-Hefnawy wins via TKO in the third round.
