Dana White’s Contender Series Picks & Predictions (Week 3)
Dana White's Contender Series bounced back in Week 2 after four of the five fights went to a decision in the first week. Dana White only awarded two contracts in the first week after some dull performances.
There were five contracts awarded in the second week, after four of the five fights ended with a knockout. The featured bout went the distance, but was an excellent fight between two UFC-level fighters. The third week starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 26th.
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Dana White's Contender Series Picks & Predictions: Week 3
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Lightweight: Cristian Perez vs. Manoel Sousa
Cristian Perez is 13-1 as a professional, and he has shown a well-rounded style. Manoel Sousa is 12-1 as a professional and is a well-rounded fighter. The most talked-about win for Sousa is his knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy in 2019. Ruffy is a 3-0 UFC fighter and is considered a prospect to watch in the lightweight division.
Sousa is an aggressive striker with seven knockouts on his record. He has heavy hands and throws his punches with bad intentions. He also has an aggressive style on the mat, always hunting for submissions. Hunting for a submission over maintaining position could be a problem against Perez.
Perez is a young fighter, but he is improving with every fight. He trains at The Goat Shed, which is a great place to train and improve. His cardio is one of his best attributes, and he maintains control on the mat. He is aggressive when striking and dangerous with his hands. I expect him to win positions on the mat, while staying safe on the feet against the powerful Sousa. I like him as an underdog. This fight is much closer than the odds suggest, and the value is on Perez.
Bet: Cristian Perez (+225)
Middleweight: Trent Miller vs. Ryan Gandra
Ryan Gandra was supposed to fight Vitor Costa of The Fighting Nerds, but he had to pull out due to visa issues. Trent Miller is stepping in on short notice for a chance to earn a UFC contract. Gandra is 7-1 as a professional with three knockout victories and one knockout loss. Miller is 8-2 as a professional, with both of his losses coming via submission.
Gandra is an aggressive striker who puts all his effort into every strike he throws. He gets wild at times, and his cardio is questionable. He has decent takedown defense and tends to get back to his feet when he gets taken down. Gandra does get held against the fence, which is something Miller can exploit.
Miller fights with Xtreme Couture, which is notable due to the level of coaching in that gym. He is also wild when striking, and his defensive striking is not perfect. He can wrestle, but has not shown it much in his recent fights. I expect this fight to be sloppy, with both guys swinging and missing a lot. I like it to go over 1.5 rounds with both fighters getting tired after the first round. Both fighters tend to fade, which could lead to a boring fight until one gasses out and gets finished.
Bet: Over 1.5 Rounds (+124)