Dana White Contender Series Week 9 Odds, Picks & Predictions (Oct 7)

Zaynukov is technically superior and more measured, but that’s not always what wins contracts. Caldas brings the violence that gets Dana White excited. At +330, I think Caldas has serious value for our DWCS predictions. His aggressive style could overwhelm Zaynukov early.

I’m taking Caldas as a live underdog. His finishing ability and fan-friendly style make him dangerous here.

• Pick: Lucas Caldas (+330)

Luke Fernandez vs Rafael Pergentino Pick

Luke Fernandez (5-0) is the CFFC light heavyweight champion with wins over legitimate competition. He trains with Alex Pereira in Connecticut, holds grappling wins over UFC fighters Phil Hawes and Eryk Anders, and has finished 80% of his fights. This is a showcase fight for him.

Rafael Pergentino (5-0) has fought nobody. His opponents have terrible records, and he was recently a BJJ blue belt fighting at heavyweight. The Brazilian looks slow, unathletic, and completely outmatched in Tuesday’s DWCS odds.

This should end quickly and violently. Fernandez has power, wrestling, and elite grappling. Pergentino has nothing that threatens him. The -1200 line is massive, but I like Fernandez inside the distance for slightly better value in parlays.

I’m adding Fernandez to finish inside the distance to my parlay tonight rather than laying that moneyline juice in the Contender series odds.

• Pick: Luke Fernandez wins inside distance (-900)

Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias Prediction

Donavon Hedrick (6-0) has never needed three minutes to win a fight. All six victories came in round one, with his longest fight lasting just 2:48. He’s explosive, athletic, and hits like a truck. The problem? We haven’t seen him tested.

Luis Felipe Dias (15-5) brings 20 pro fights worth of experience but hasn’t competed since 2023. He’s a BJJ black belt with heavy hands but terrible defense. Dias has been dropped six times in his last seven fights and tends to keep his chin high.

Neither fighter has proven they can last into the later rounds. Hedrick always finishes early, and Dias either wins fast or gets stopped fast. This is my top pick for a quick finish in DWCS Week 9 predictions.

Both guys need a spectacular finish to earn a contract. I’m expecting fireworks early.

• Pick: Fight Under 1.5 Rounds (-180)

Imanol Rodriguez vs Roque Conceicao Pick

Imanol Rodriguez (5-1) nearly won The Ultimate Fighter, losing a controversial split decision to eventual winner Joseph Morales. He trains at AKA with Daniel Cormier and has elite boxing for the flyweight division. Rodriguez lands 4.9 significant strikes per minute and has excellent cardio.

Roque Conceicao (10-2) brings a 90% finishing rate but tends to brawl rather than fight technically. He’s aggressive and dangerous but makes tactical errors, like shooting for takedowns against superior grapplers. His losses have exposed defensive gaps.

Rodriguez’s technical boxing and fight IQ should control this fight. He’ll pick Conceicao apart from range and avoid the brawls. I like the point spread for value in my Dana White’s Contender Series predictions.

I’m going with Rodriguez covering the spread here. Could see a decision too.

• Pick: Imanol Rodriguez -3.5 (-140)

Mark Vologdin vs Adrian Luna Martinetti Prediction

Mark Vologdin (12-3-1) trains at Allstars in Sweden alongside Khamzat Chimaev. The 5’3″ bantamweight has an 83% finish rate with explosive Kyokushin Karate kicks and surprising power. He’s won seven straight and shows excellent fight IQ.

Adrian Luna Martinetti (16-1) has the height and reach advantage at 5’8″ with a 72-inch reach. The Ecuadorian trains at the UFC PI and brings a solid grappling game. But he’s not particularly fast or powerful, relying more on volume and positioning.