Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White in attendance during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
- Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) kicks off its 8th season on Tuesday, August 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas
- Middleweights Mansur Abdul-Malik and Wes Schultz headline a card filled with promising prospects
- Read below for DWCS Week 1 odds, picks, and predictions for Tuesday’s ESPN+ event
Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) returns for its 8th season on Tuesday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event kicks off at 8:00 PM ET, with an exciting card headlined by middleweights Mansur Abdul-Malik and Wes Schultz.
Let’s dive into the betting odds, breakdowns, and predictions for the notable fights of DWCS Week 1.
Dana White Contender Series Odds
| Fighter | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under Rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Tuan Ho | +3.5 -195 | +110 | N/A |
| Lone’er Kavanagh | -3.5 +145 | -130 | N/A |
| Fighter | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under Rounds |
| Jose Delgado | -3.5 -205 | -325 | O 1.5 -175 |
| Ernie Juarez | +3.5 +150 | +260 | U 1.5 +135 |
| Fighter | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under Rounds |
| Bruno Lopes | -3.5 -195 | -218 | O 1.5 +124 |
| Mikheil Sazhiniani | +3.5 +145 | +180 | U 1.5 -160 |
| Fighter | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under Rounds |
| Meng Ding | -3.5 -150 | -198 | O 1.5 -135 |
| Rami Hamed | +3.5 +110 | +154 | U 1.5 +105 |
| Fighter | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under Rounds |
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | -3.5 -320 | -310 | O 1.5 +150 |
| Wes Schultz | +3.5 +220 | +250 | U 1.5 -195 |
In the Season 8 Dana White Contender Series odds for Week 1, Jose Delgado comes in as the heaviest favorite on the card at -325. That is an implied win probability of 76.5%.
Fans can watch all the action live on ESPN+, with the broadcasting getting underway at 8:00 pm ET.
Odds as of August 13, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Register with the DraftKings promo code to wager on the Dana White Contender Series odds.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Wes Schultz Prediction
The main event pits middleweight prospects Mansur Abdul-Malik and Wes Schultz against each other. Abdul-Malik is an impressive physical specimen with a 5-0 record. All of his fights have ended in the first round (four KOs, one submission).
But here’s the thing—we’ve never seen Abdul-Malik tested beyond the first round. His cardio and ability to maintain that explosive pace in a longer fight are huge question marks.
That’s where Schultz comes in. With a 6-1 record and a solid wrestling background, Schultz has the grappling chops and gas tank to drag Abdul-Malik into deep waters and expose those potential cardio issues.
| 26 | Age | 28 |
| 5-0 | Record | 6-1 |
| 5 | 1st Round Finishes | 3 |
| 4 KO, 1 Sub | Finish Method | 2 KO, 3 Sub |
| Standup | Primary Strength | Wrestling |
| Untested | Cardio | Solid |
Sure, Abdul-Malik is a heavy favorite, thanks to his flashy finishing rate and physical gifts. But at this price, he’s just too risky of a bet. The value is all with Wes Schultz as a live underdog in the Dana White Contender Series odds.
If Schultz can survive the early onslaught and extend this fight, he’s got a serious chance at pulling off the upset. Schultz’s wrestling and cardio could be the keys to victory here, and I can’t pass up “Party Time” at juicy +250 odds.
- Pick: Wes Schultz (+250)
An Tuan Ho vs Lone’er Kavanagh Picks
The flyweight showdown between An Tuan Ho and Lone’er Kavanagh has all the makings of a Fight of the Night contender. Both men enter the DWCS with perfect 6-0 records, and are determined to prove they belong in the big show.
Ho is a dangerous striker with legit one-punch knockout power. He’s got three KO/TKO wins on his resume, showcasing his ability to end fights on the feet. Ho’s striking is lightning quick and precise, but his defensive wrestling? It’s been a bit of a weakness.
An Tuan Ho fights Lone’er Kavanagh on Tuesday on the 1st episode of DWCS. Here’s a KO from one of his fights.
I can’t wait for this Prospect vs. Prospect matchup. 🔥🔥🔥
— 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓕𝓲𝓰𝓰𝔂 👹🩸 (@ChampFiggy) August 12, 2024
That could be a problem against a guy like Kavanagh. Fighting out of London, Kavanagh is a slick counterstriker with a karate background. He’s constantly switching stances and throwing flashy techniques.
What sets Kavanagh apart from other karate-style fighters is his defensive responsibility and range management. His quick left hook from the orthodox stance has been a key weapon, scoring multiple knockdowns in his young career.
Both of these guys are super talented, but I’ve got to give Kavanagh the slight edge here. I’m forecasting a high-paced, competitive battle that goes the distance, with Kavanagh earning a decision victory.
Picks:
- Lone’er Kavanagh via Decision (+110)
- Fight to go Distance (-225)
Jose Delgado vs Ernie Juarez Best Bet
In the featherweight division, Jose Delgado takes on Ernie Juarez in a matchup that could propel the winner straight into the UFC.
Delgado is a problem at featherweight, plain and simple. The Phoenix native is 7-1 with seven finishes (three KOs, four submissions). His only loss? A decision, the one time he didn’t end the fight inside the distance.
Jose Delgado is about that action #DWCS
Fighting out of the MMA Lab, all 7 of Jose’s professional wins have come inside the distance with 4 subs & 3 KO’s #MMATwitter #BettingX pic.twitter.com/y1vLBMTfSV
— Maestro MMA (@mmamaestro_) August 12, 2024
Delgado’s got a major size advantage here, and he knows how to use it. He’s dangerous everywhere, with solid striking and grappling skills in his arsenal. Delgado’s resilience is also worth noting. He showcased his determination in a previous fight where he recovered from being rocked early to secure a third-round finish.
His opponent, Ernie Juarez? An undefeated prospect training under UFC legend Urijah Faber. That’s a nice resume, but the oddsmakers aren’t giving him much of a chance here.
Delgado’s experience and physical advantages should be too much for Juarez at this stage of his career. Look for Delgado to control the fight and secure a finish, cementing himself as a UFC-ready prospect.
- Pick: Jose Delgado To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+150)
Bruno Lopes and Mikheil Sazhiniani Prediction
Light heavyweights Bruno Lopes and Mikheil Sazhiniani are set to throw down in what could be a sneaky good fight.
Lopes, a 12-1 Brazilian, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss in his last Contender Series appearance. He’s a well-rounded fighter, especially with his wrestling and BJJ skills.
The problem? Lopes got a bit wild with his striking in his last outing, and it cost him. If he wants to get back in the win column and score a UFC deal, he needs to tighten things up and lean on his grappling.
On the other side, you’ve got Mikheil Sazhiniani. This Georgian is 13-2 and riding a six-fight winning streak. Even more impressive? Twelve of his wins have come by knockout. “Spartan” packs some serious power.
Lopes has the tools to get it done, but his recent performance has me hesitant to back him. At plus money, Sazhiniani’s underdog price and finishing ability make him a solid value play in the Dana White Contender odds.
- Pick: Mikheil Sazhiniani (+180)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The highly anticipated Dana White Contender Series is set to kick off its first week on August 13th, and fight fans are eagerly awaiting the action-packed matchups that are sure to take place. With a lineup of talented fighters vying for a chance to impress UFC President Dana White and earn a contract with the promotion, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce.
As with any sporting event, there are odds, picks, and predictions being made by experts and fans alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key matchups and analyze the odds for Week 1 of the Dana White Contender Series.
One of the most anticipated fights of the night is between middleweights Jordan Williams and Gregory Rodrigues. Williams, a former LFA champion, is coming off a knockout victory in his last fight and is looking to make a statement in front of Dana White. Rodrigues, on the other hand, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a strong ground game. The odds for this fight are close, with Williams being a slight favorite at -150 and Rodrigues at +130.
In the featherweight division, we have a matchup between Danyelle Wolf and Taneisha Tennant. Wolf, a former boxing champion making her MMA debut, is a heavy favorite at -300, while Tennant, an experienced fighter with a 3-0 record, is the underdog at +250. This fight has the potential to be a barnburner, as both fighters are known for their aggressive styles.
Another intriguing matchup is in the lightweight division, where Collin Anglin takes on Muhammad Naimov. Anglin, a former collegiate wrestler, is a slight favorite at -120, while Naimov, a talented striker with a 5-0 record, is the underdog at +100. This fight has the potential to be a back-and-forth battle, with both fighters looking to showcase their skills and earn a UFC contract.
Overall, Week 1 of the Dana White Contender Series promises to be an exciting night of fights with plenty of talent on display. While the odds may favor certain fighters, anything can happen in MMA, and upsets are always possible. Fans can expect to see some thrilling matchups and impressive performances as these fighters look to make a name for themselves and earn their shot at the big leagues.