Dana White’s Contender Series Picks & Predictions (Week 3)
The UFC and Dana White have awarded 10 contracts through two weeks of season 10 of Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS). Every division on the men's side, except bantamweight, has seen a fighter win a contract, but there has not been any in the women's divisions. This week changes that. The main event is in the women's bantamweight division, as Bella Mir takes on Alex Apodaca. The long-awaited prospect and daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir fights for her shot at a UFC contract. The card starts at 7 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Below are our top Dana White’s Contender Series picks for Week 3.
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Dana White's Contender Series Picks: Week 3
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Middleweight: Carlos Petruzzella vs. Nick Galanti
Nick Galanti is a 7-1 fighter from Cage Fury Fighting Championships. His lone loss came in 2024 against Brandon Holmes via decision. He has won five consecutive fights since then, with three by submission, one by knockout and one by decision.
Galanti is fighting Carlos Petruzzella, who is 15-1 as a professional. His most recent fights were knockout victories in Samurai Fight House, an Argentinian promotion. He has one Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) bout, which he lost by knockout to Joseilton Santos.
Both men are grapplers. Galanti has a wrestling base with good cardio. Petruzzella is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Petruzzella's problem is a lack of competition. He started at welterweight and moved up to middleweight. He dominates opponents on the mat, but I do not see him taking Galanti to the mat.
Galanti is a capable striker, but he does his best work from the top position. He gets his opponents to the mat and manages to get on his opponent's back. Galanti should control where the fight takes place and can take it to the mat. Once he is on the mat, he should move to the back and find a submission.
Bet: Nick Galanti Moneyline (-235)
Heavyweight: Mario Piazzon vs. Guilherme Uriel
Both men are returning to DWCS after failing to earn contracts. Mario Piazzon won via an illegal knee in 2023 and did not make his way into the UFC. Guilherme Uriel lost to now-heavyweight contender Josh Hokit via knockout in the second round in 2025. Both men are looking to show they have improved and have what it takes to compete in a shallow heavyweight division.
This fight is simple. Uriel has early power but lacks tremendous cardio. He also does not have the best ground game. Piazzon, on the other hand, has much better wrestling and grappling. He can wear down Uriel for multiple rounds until he gains a dominant position.
This is the closest fight in terms of odds on the card, and for good reason. Uriel is a favorite simply because of his chance to knock Piazzon out early. Piazzon can weather the storm and win this fight on the mat.
Bet: Mario Piazzon Moneyline (+140)
Women's Bantamweight: Bella Mir vs. Alex Apodaca
Bella Mir is a massive favorite against Alex Apodaca, who is taking this fight on short notice. Apodaca is 3-1 as a professional and last fought on July 24th at Fury FC 122. She won that fight via decision, her third consecutive decision victory. Her lone loss was a split-decision loss to Nikola Kacperska in March 2024 at Peak Fighting 34.
Mir is 4-0 as a professional, and she won her last fight via submission against Stephanie Calderon. She went to Iowa as a freshman and finished fifth at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships.
Mir transferred to North Central College, where she finished her collegiate career. She won the 145-pound title at the NCAA Women's Wrestling Championship as a senior and made history by recording the first-ever pin in an NCAA finals match.
As mentioned, Mir is the daughter of Frank Mir. She is a high-level prospect at just 23. The UFC and the matchmakers have long awaited a chance for her to get into the promotion, and they see this as her chance. She is not the best striker, but she is an elite wrestler and grappler. Mir has four grappling victories, with three coming on UFC BJJ cards.
This is a mismatch, and Apodaca lacks the striking to compete with Mir. Mir will get this fight to the mat and dominate from there. Once she gets Apodaca to the mat, it is only a matter of time until she finds a submission. The odds are not out yet, but I would consider Mir to win by submission as a good parlay leg, assuming it is heavily favored.
Bet: Bella Mir to Win by Submission (Odds Not Listed)