Don’t call it a comeback, Egghead’s been here for years! (literally, I got 2nd place in PGF Season 1 fantasy). We’re up against the wire, so I’ll cut out the preliminary banter. Egghead said it was a long season and he’d win over time. The question is Can you beat Egghead this week? Look for the #BlueBeltsArePeopleToo squad – his fantasy squad name since Season 1. May the odds be ever in your favor!
SUPER PREMIUMS (you’re going to have to offset the expense with budget players)
Kris Olivo (Alabama Twisters) – $1500 – 6 points – faces Dominic Lobo (New Hope Kings), Christos Papadelos (Dollamur), Jonathan Wilson (Tropic Thunders). Olivo finds a way to rack up more breaks against Lobo and Wilson. But Papadelos and Olivo went to a draw in the PGF Team Challenge at the PGF 8 Las Vegas qualifier. It was a fun match but neither was willing to risk themselves too much. Since both are basically assured playoff spots, it’s unlikely they’ll open themselves up too much in this match.
Christos Papadelos (Dollamur) – $1500 – 6 points – faces CJ Murdock (Tropic Thunders), Kristian Olivo (Alabama Twisters), Anthony Gojani (New Hope Kings). Papadelos has been a steady performer. He’s up against some game opponents tonight. His match against Olivo has serious playoff implications, likely in the form of foreshadowing. Papadelos likely finds breaks against Murdock and Gojani. Papadelos and Olivo had a draw in their PGF8 Las Vegas team duel match and we’ll likely see some interesting play, but ultimately a draw in this match as well..
Dominic Mejia (Alabama Twisters) – $1350 – 12 points – faces Anthony Gojani (New Hope Kings), Spenser Ortiz (Dollamur), and Jordan Wirth (Tropic Thunders). Kris Olivo has said he is inevitable…but Mejia putting up 12 points on his first day in the competition might be taking that title. Mejia likely finds a way to the RNC against Ortiz, but it’ll be interesting to see how he navigates the truly unorthodox pair or Gojani and Wirth. Chances are the Dominator finds his way to another 12 point day (or more).
Landon Elmore (Dollamur) – $1300 – 9 points faces Jonathan Wilson (Tropic Thunders), Raphael Ferreira (Alabama Twisters), Juan Martinez v (New Hope Kings). Rafa is a star, but The Big Slime has been making a case to add The Ankle Genie to his nickname collection. Elmore is almost guaranteed to get six points, but could get up to nine (maybe more if he moves quickly).
Jett Thompson (New Hope Kings) – $1050 – 6 points – faces Raphael Ferreira (Alabama Twisters), CJ Murdock (Tropic Thunders), Spenser Ortiz (Dollamur). Jett came to life in Week 3, earning two DQ wins and a kill. Papadelos showed Raphael can be submitted. CJ has been submitted multiple times. Ortiz is a rematch, with Jett getting a DQ win. It’s not going to be easy, but Jett CAN get points against this lineup. With the bunching up of competitors in the standings, Jett MUST get points today if he wants to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Dom Lobo (New Hope Kings) – $1150 – 0 points – faces Kristian Olivo (Alabama Twisters), Jordan Wirth (Tropic Thunders), Derek Rayfield (Dollamur). I know I’ve underestimated Dom before. He’s proved he’s a very tough and skilled competitor. But he’s going against two more experienced rubber guard players and a superstar in Olivo. It’s not a good night to pay extra for Lobo.
Derek Rayfield (Team Dollamur) – $1100 – 6 points – faces JJ Bowers (Tropic Thunders), Sergio Ardila (Alabama Twisters), and Dom Lobo (New Hope Kings). Rayfield, a former young gun himself having competed even at EBI 5 as a 14 year old, has matured into an experienced grappler with a large frame. Looking at his matchups, JJ Bowers has been submitted multiple times this season. Sergio is so experienced and smart – it’ll be hard to score against him. Dom has only been submitted by Raphael Ferreira…but Rayfield and Lobo are both rubber guard players – one has to think the the older, larger version should have the upper hand. Chances are he finds two breaks amongst the three.
Average – (the players who fill your roster almost exactly on budget)
Matt Masch (Alabama Twisters) – $1075 – points – faces Juan Martinez V (New Hope Kings), Michael John (Dollamur), CJ Murdock (Tropic Thunders). Masch might have his best lineup so far of the season. They are all game grapplers, but have all been finished as well. The CJJ Worlds champ, Masch definitely has the skills and has shown the motor in the PGF to put up points.
Raphael Ferreira (Alabama Twisters) – $1050 – 3 points – faces Jett Thompson (New Hope Kings), Landon Elmore (Dollamur), Joseph Bowers (Tropic Thunders). Most likely a break against JJ, but the other two are toss-up matches.
Zack Schneider (Tropic Thunders) – $1000 – points – INACTIVE
Sergio Ardila (Alabama Twisters) – $1000 – 6 points – faces Anthony Molina Valdes (New Hope Kings), Derek Rayfield (Team Dollamur), and John Chandler (Tropic Thunders). Sergio finds a way to do the impossible and RNC Chandler. He’ll likely lose or draw the first two matches and when pushed into a corner, Sergio will find a way in the last block. (it’s a gut feeling, not super high confidence)
Anthony Molina Valdes (New Hope Kings) – $975 – 9 points – faces Sergio Ardila (Alabama Twisters), Jonathan Wilson (Tropic Thunders), and Michael John (Dollamur). HE’S BACK, BABY! Molina Valdes definitely didn’t have the day he wanted in week 3, but he’s going to have a phenomenal showing tonight. Yeah, he’s facing some tough, grimy (see what I did there?) veterans, but he has the leg lock sniper skills to take them all out. Molina Valdes is going to take cement his place in the playoffs this week.
Anthony Gojani (New Hope Kings) – $950 – 3 points – faces Dominic Mejia (Alabama Twisters), JJ Bowers (Tropic Thunders), and Christos Papadelos (New Hope Kings). Mejia took out Gojani with a head and arm triangle at the PGF 8 Massachusetts Qualifier. It’ll be hard for Gojani to get points there. Papadelos is at the top of the rankings for a reason. Bowers seems to be the best opportunity for Gojani to get points, but JJ also wants to get some highlights to get back in the playoff hunt. People have written off Gojani previously, but he’s persevered. It’s not out of the question for him to prove people wrong again.
BUDGET PLAYERS (possible bargains that can help you save money for those premium players)
Armin Bruni – $925 (Inactive/Free Agent) – Free Agent, might see time if there’s an injury.
Mike John (Team Dollamur) – $900 – 0 points – Jordan Wirth (Tropic Thunders), Matt Masch (Alabama Twisters), and Anthony Molina Valdes (Team Dollamur). I could easily see Mike get up to 12 points here, but until we see how his injury has healed, it’s tough to invest in him for fantasy purposes.
Jordan Wirth (Tropic Thunders) $875 – 3 points – faces Mike John (Team Dollamur), Dom Lobo (New Hope Kings), and Dominic Mejia (Alabama Twisters). He’ll find a way to get a break against John or Lobo.
JJ Bowers (Tropic Thunders) – $850 – points faces Derek Rayfield (Team Dollamur), Anthony Gojani (New Hope Kings), Raphael Ferreira (Alabama Twisters)
Jonathan Wilson (Tropic Thunders) – $800 – 0 points faces Landon Elmore (Team Dollamur), Anthony Molina Valdes (New Hope Kings), and Kris Olivo (Alabama Twisters). He faces three of the top four competitors this week. Don’t count on points.
PENNY STOCKS (NOT LIKELY TO MAKE YOU MUCH, BUT IF YOU HAVE MONEY LEFT IN YOUR POCKET…)
Brady Branscum (Dollamur) – $775 – 0 points INACTIVE.
Robert Blackledge (INACTIVE) – $775 – 0 points INACTIVE.
CJ Murdock (Tropic Thunders) – $750 – 0 points faces Christos Papadelos (Dollamur), Jett Thompson (New Hope Kings), Matthew Masch (Alabama Twisters). That’s a tough row to hoe. CJ will put on a show, but you can’t count on points here.
Juan Martinez V (New Hope Kings) – $750 – 0 points faces Matthew Masch (Alabama Twisters), John Chandler (Tropic Thunders), Landon Elmore (Dollamur).
Spenser Ortiz (Dollamur) – $750 – 0 points faces John Chandler (Tropic Thunders), Dominic Mejia (Alabama Twisters), and Jett Thompson (New Hope Kings). He’s had some fun matches, but not a great chance at points here.
Noah Guitierrez (INACTIVE) – $725
Brady Hylton (INACTIVE) – $650
John Chandler (Tropic Thunders) – $675 – 0 points faces Spenser Ortiz (Dollamur), Juan Martinez v (New Hope Kings), Sergio Ardila (Alabama Twisters)
Nick Sahf (Tropic Thunders) – $500 – 0 points INACTIVE
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