Dana White’s Contender Series Week 4 Picks: Quillan Salkilld vs. Gauge Young
We'll be halfway through season eight of Dana White's Contender Series when the action wraps up on Tuesday night. White awarded four more UFC contracts last week, bringing the total tally of contracts to 257 throughout the life of the series. Below, I've listed Tuesday's full card, along with the odds for each fight. I'll also dive into two fights from a betting perspective and let you know where I'm laying my cash on the canvas for week four. Here are my top picks for Quillan Salkilld vs. Gauge Young.
Dana White's Contender Series Week 4 Picks: Quillan Salkilld vs. Gauge Young
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld vs. Gauge Young
Tuesday's card opens up with an intriguing matchup at 155 pounds, where Australia's Quillan Salkild (6-1-0) takes the United States' Gauge Young (8-1-0). The American is a +164 underdog to win this bout, while Salkilld sits at -198 on the moneyline.
Salkilld was on the losing end of a Rear Naked Choke in his professional debut but has since rattled off six straight victories. The 24-year-old has racked up a trio of submissions, a couple of knockouts, and one decision victory.
As for Young, he's riding a three-fight winning streak after suffering his only professional victory, an Armbar defeat against Bobby Lee back in 2022. He's hunting knockouts in the octagon, amassing five professional KOs while adding a pair of decision victories and one submission.
Salkilld has a three-inch height advantage, and he hasn't been knocked out over 18 pro and amateur fights, so I think he'll be able to survive, if not thrive on the feet Tuesday night. The Australian clearly has the edge on the canvas as well, where he's seven submissions over his 18-fight career. I don't mind laying the juice with Salkilld in this one since it appears he's the more well-rounded brawler. Let's ride with the Aussie in the opener.
Bet: Quillan Salkilld Moneyline (-198)
DWCS Week 4 Schedule & Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Welterweight: Igor Cavalcanti (-298) vs. Seok Hyun Ko (+240)
- Middleweight: Will Currie (-445) vs. Djorden Santos (+310)
- Featherweight: Austin Bashi (-560) vs. Dorian Ramos (+370)
- Women's Flyweight: Yuneisy Duben (+370) vs. Shannon Clark (-560)
- Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld (-198) vs. Gauge Young (+164)