If you’re an MMA fan, Dana White’s Contender Series is the time of the year. If you’re a casual, it’s your chance to meet the new crop of fighters on the way up. If you’re a diehard, it’s a chance to see prospects you love finally get their shot. And if you’re a degen, there are usually some juicy lines to get some DWCS bets in for.
We’ve taken a look at all of Dana White’s Contender Series Week 1 and looked to get you some winners. Come check out what we have cooked up for you.
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Dana White’s Contender Series Week 1 – Predictions & Best Bets
Neemias Santana (+190) vs. Ilian Bouafia
Straight out of the gate, I like the underdog in the opening bout. While Bouafia is a long fighter, he has trouble using it sometimes. That allows for him to get backed up against the cage and forces him to try to find ways to get out. Unfortunately for him, he may be facing the worst type of opponent for that flaw. Santana isn’t the most technical of opponents – in fact, he has far worse fundementals than his French counterpart. However, he does have game changing power and a willingness to throw that should make Bouafia pay for his pacificity.
George Mangos (-130) vs. Radley Da Silva
Mangos opened up in the area of -250 and the money has been pouring in on Da Silva. If I had to guess, that’s because of how flashy Da Silva is on the feet and the success he’s had grappling. On the other hand, Mangos is more composed and unlikely to get burnt by the spinning stuff that Da Silva throws. Additionally, he was a grappler before he turned into a striker. The majority of his early fights saw him win by submission. As a result, I think he deals with what Da Silva brings.
Jimmy Drago (+155) vs. Ty Miller
This fight should be a tight striking fight, but I still like the underdog. Drago is a touch faster on the feet, and does a much better job at closing the distance. Miller can be a bit stationary on the feet – probably because his height has always been enough defense for him. Drago will make sure that’s not the case. Additionally, Drago has some sneaky wrestling that he could fall back on if he doesn’t like the looks on the feet.
Yuri Panferov (+124) vs. Christopher Ewert
I get why Christopher Ewert has come in here as the favorite. The UFC already signed him to a contract, which he lost when he couldn’t make weight. However, his fun striking style always has people excited. Additionally, Panferov got ragdolled when he appered on DWCS year. I think people are sleeping on how hard it is to grapple Torrez Finney and, as a result, underrating what Panferov can do on the mat. He should hit 100 takedowns here and cruise to a victory.
Baysangur Susurkaev (-330) vs. Murtaza Talha
Susurkaev enters this fight as a late replacement for Damian Pinas, who had issues with his visa. You’d think that being this late to the game, his moneyline would be a little more playable. The books knew what they were looking at though. Talha is a guy who had trouble keeping his cardio up even when he was cutting less weight. He needs takedowns for a win and is unlikely to find them here. Susurkaev is going to pick him apart and likely find a stoppage in this one.
If you’d like even more Dana White’s Contender Series Week 1 bets, be sure to check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping weekly episodes to make you the smartest guy at the bar.
