Dana White’s Contender Series Picks & Predictions (Week 1)
Dana White's Contender Series is back for its ninth season. It has produced 287 graduates, all signing a contract to fight in the UFC. Forty-two fighters have also fought on the series and eventually fought in the UFC without being awarded a contract on the show. 196 of the 287 graduates are still on the active roster, which is a retention rate of 68.3%.
Only two fighters have gone on to hold a belt: Jamahal Hill and Sean O'Malley. Alex Perez and Mayra Bueno Silva fought for a title, but came up short as DWCS alums. This season has the same schedule as previous seasons. It will air every Tuesday night for the next 10 weeks at 8 p.m. EST.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Dana White's Contender Series Week 1
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Welterweight: Jimmy Drago vs. Ty Miller
This matchup is a clash of styles. Ty Miller is 5-0 as a professional fighting in LFA. Miller is a tall fighter in the welterweight division at 6'2''. He is a boxer who sits behind his jab at range. He throws a lot of straight punches and keeps it simple. Miller is not the most polished wrestler, but he can recover quickly after getting taken down. His takedown defense is not fantastic, but he does a good job of working to his feet when on his back.
Jimmy Drago is 7-2 as a professional, with most of his experience coming in the Ring of Combat. Drago is a pressure fighter with an awkward striking style. He throws a lot of kicks to the body and is more of a well-rounded striker. Drago works in wrestling, especially against the cage. He is shorter than Miller and could have trouble against Miller, who is accurate and should find Drago's chin as he pressures forward.
Pick: Ty Miller (-166)
Featherweight: Radley Da Silva vs. George Mangos
Radley Da Silva is 7-1 as a professional and is the Featherweight Champion of the Battlefield Fight League, which is a Canadian promotion. He has defended his belt three consecutive times and is getting the opportunity to earn a contract in the UFC. He is fighting George Mangos, who is 7-0 as a professional and is the Hex Fight Series Champion in Australia.
Da Silva utilizes a lot of spinning wheel kicks, which is an interesting kick to throw as much as he does. He is known for his wrestling, however. He is a solid wrestler who looks to take the back of his opponent and lock in a choke. Da Silva has also fought in four consecutive five-round fights, with only one going the full 25 minutes. He should have a solid gas tank, which is essential against a solid opponent in Mangos.
Mangos is an entertaining fighter who has a solid grappling base. He has a couple of highlight-reel knockouts in his recent fights, but is known for his grappling. Mangos should have the advantage when striking, with more technicality. It is as high-level a matchup as you will see on DWCS, and I will side with the better striker.
Pick: George Mangos (-130)