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 9 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 9 – Predictions & Best Bets
Lucas Caldas (+355) vs. Magomed Zaynukov
One of the first plays that I like from Tuesday night is the big underdog Caldas. He shows some really solid aggression, particularly early in fights. He has a way of taking the momentum and not letting it fo that I think should really play up well against Zaynukov, who is primarily a striker. Clearly the public thinks similarly – Caldas opened up at +525 and has since shrunk to this number.
Mark Vologdin (-140) vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti
Another of my favorite plays of the week is the Russian Vologdin. He’s a shorter fighter and clearly giving up a bunch of reach – which I imagine is the reason for the tight line. When you look just skill for skill, he’s so much faster than Martinetti and seems to be more diverse with the ways that he can win. Look for him to hunt early with the hands and switch to the ground game if he needs it.
Imanol Rodriguez (-250) vs. Roque Junior
Rodriguez comes to us from the last season of The Ultimate Fighter, where he was one judge’s scorecard away from heading to the finals. His split with eventually winner Joseph Morales is widely considered to be a fight which he won. Now they’ve rewarded him with a chance against a fighter who swings for the fences as ignores the fundementals. Rodriguez’s complete game should cruise easily in that scenario.
Luis Felipe Dias (+100) vs. Donavon Hedrick
Another underdog I like on Tuesday is Luis Felipe Dias. He showed some really good takedown defense early against Marcin Bandel. Addtionallu, he hits really hard wth his kicks and sets them up nicely. Now he’ll get a late replacement in Hedrick, who has only faced really low level competition. I think the takedowns that Hedrick is used to getting won’t be there and he’s struggle with Dias on the feet.
Luke Fernandez (-1000) vs. Rafael Pergentino
This is one of the more brutal mismatches we’ve had on Contender Series. Fernandez is a beast. The CFFC champion has shown some excellent ground work, propped up by his body lock takedowns. He’ll fight a guy who has been throwing down in basements against guys who it looks like would lose a fight to your drunk uncle Albert.
If you’d like even more Dana White’s Contender Series Week 9 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.
