Analysis of Dana White Contender Series Week 3 Odds, Picks & Predictions for August 27th

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; UFC President Dana White speaks at a press conference after the fight of Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

• Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3 takes place this Tuesday in Las Vegas (August 27)
• Andrey Pulyaev vs Liam Anderson headlines the main card
• Read below for DWCS Week 3 odds, picks, and predictions

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Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) continues with Week 3 on Tuesday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event will showcase some of the most promising up-and-coming MMA talents, all competing for a chance to earn a UFC contract.

The card will feature five exciting bouts, with the main event showcasing a middleweight clash between Andrey Pulyaev and Liam Anderson. The opener is a Andrey Pulyaev vs Liam Anderson middleweight clash

Let’s take a closer look at each matchup and break down the betting odds to help you make informed decisions when placing your wagers.

Dana White Contender Series Odds

The event is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and will be available for live streaming exclusively on ESPN+.

Odds as of August 13, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Sign-up with the DraftKings promo code to bet on the Dana White Contender Series odds.

Andrey Pulyaev vs Liam Anderson Prediction

The main event features a middleweight clash between Andrey Pulyaev (+185) and Liam Anderson (-225). Pulyaev, from Shlemenko FC, has won his last four fights, mostly by stoppage. His well-rounded skills and finishing ability make him a dangerous opponent.

Interestingly, the odds have shifted since the opening lines, with Anderson moving from a heavy underdog to a heavy favorite. This shift in betting odds can be attributed to the growing hype around Anderson’s lethal striking, as exemplified against

Liam Anderson opened as a +220 underdog against Andrey Pulyaev for tonight’s #DWCS69

I can see why the line is now -220 in Anderson’s favor 😬

pic.twitter.com/j7ev7gRygn

— Finz Chats MMA (@finz_the) August 27, 2024

Anderson, from CFFC, has also won his last four bouts, showcasing his striking in LFA and BTC. However, his defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed recently, which could cause issues against a finisher like Pulyaev.

Pulyaev’s background in Shlemenko FC makes it tough to gauge his true skill level, but his power and cardio could overpower Anderson’s leaky defense. Don’t sleep on Pulyaev – he has the tools to exploit Anderson’s weaknesses and score the upset.

• Pick: Andrey Pulyaev ML (+185)

Michael Aswell vs Bogdan Grad Picks

Michael Aswell (-112) faces Bogdan Grad (-108) in a pick ’em featherweight fight. Aswell, a promising Fury FC prospect, is 9-1 with his only loss to the undefeated Yadier DelValle.

Grad suffered a KO loss on DWCS last year but bounced back with two finishes in Cage FS. His tendency to accept bad positions and counter could play into Aswell’s forward pressure and high-volume striking.

If it goes to the judges, I expect Aswell’s active striking to be the difference. Look for Aswell to outwork Grad and secure a decision win.

• Pick: Michael Aswell to win by decision

Marco Tulio Silva vs. Matthieu Letho Duclos Pick

Marco Tulio Silva (-485) returns to DWCS after a dominant but unsuccessful appearance last season. Since then, he scored an impressive KO in LFA, proving he’s made adjustments to finish fights.

Matthieu Letho Duclos (+370) is 6-2 but hasn’t faced Silva’s level of competition. Silva’s well-rounded skills, elite striking, and solid cardio make him a well-deserved heavy favorite in the DWCS odds for Season 3.

Chute Boxe’s Marco Tulio Silva absolutely mugs a towering Well Oliveira, scoring the first round TKO and improving to 9-1.#LFA151 pic.twitter.com/w8ZmaxrIVb

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 29, 2023

Duclos is taking a major step up, and his most recent win due to an eye injury has me worried about his ability to handle a full fight against Silva. He’s the heavy underdog on this card for good reason.

I’m predicting Silva to make a statement with a KO in approximately the second round on Tuesday night. Considering Silva’s short moneyline, the best value for this bet Is Silva by KO in Round 2.

• Pick: Marco Tulio Silva to win by 2nd round KO

Malcolm Wellmaker vs Adam Bramhald Best Bet

Malcolm Wellmaker (-290) takes on Adam Bramhald (+235) at bantamweight, with both combatants having holes in their games.

Bramhald’s wins are against lesser competition, making me unsure about his true abilities. “Samurais” Muay Thai and leg kicks are his best weapons, but his clinch work is lacking.

Wellmaker has amateur experience and decent striking but struggles in the clinch. His seven pro fights have been against inexperienced or subpar opponents.

Bramhald’s 11-fight win streak and Muay Thai could trouble Wellmaker if he can’t finish quickly. But with many unknowns, I recommend avoiding betting on this one.

• Pick: Pass on betting this fight

Jack Duffy vs Nick Piccininni Prediction

The card opens with Jack Duffy (+320) vs. Nick Piccininni (-410) at flyweight. Duffy’s background in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat league raises flags for me about his opponent quality. His striking ability is questionable, and a two-year layoff adds uncertainty.

Piccininni, also undefeated, has the edge on the mat and feet. His wrestling pedigree as a four-time Big 12 champion and submission skills (five of six wins by tapout) give him a strong base. His confidence suggests he’s not worried about Duffy.

I’m banking on Piccininni to make quick work of “The Fury” and score a first-round knockout. This is another bout on this card where you will need to dive into the props mark to find value.

• Prediction: Nick Piccininni to win by 1st round KO

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