Dana White's Contender Series Season 6 Ep. 1 Odds, Predictions: Buzukja-Romero, Turkalj-Dos Santos, Diaz-Pyfer

Dana White's Contender Series Season 6 Ep. 1 Odds, Predictions: Buzukja-Romero, Turkalj-Dos Santos, Diaz-Pyfer

A new season of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) gets started tonight on ESPN+ featuring UFC-potential talent looking to put their worth on display in front of the company’s head honchos. With prominent UFC fighters getting their start on DWCS such as Alex Perez, Taila Santos, and Sean O’Malley, the series offers fighters a chance they otherwise may have never gotten to fight directly for a UFC contract. 

While a win doesn’t guarantee one, a decisive one, more than often than not, has tended to lead to just that. Let’s take a closer look at the fights going down in week one. 

All Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Dana White's Contender Series: Season 6, Week 1 Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: July 26, 2022
• Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
• Where: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV
• Where to Watch: ESPN+

Dennis Buzukja vs Kaleio Romero Prediction

Dennis Buzukja (-210) vs Kaleio Romero (+180). Longo-Weidman’s Dennis Buzukja will make his long-awaited return to the octagon tonight, having appeared on Season 4 losing a decision vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan. He has been busy since, picking up three straight wins including a Ring of Combat belt in the process. 

As for Romero, the Team Alpha Male product, a February 2019 loss to Jonas Folk via KO/TKO was the only one of his career, fighting twice since, with his most recent fight being just over a year ago (TKO win vs. Andy Perez). With both fighters having stellar camps behind them, it’s likely a matter of time before the winner gets a shot in the big leagues. 

In this one, I think we see the more battle-tested Buzukja get the job done in a three-round war. 

Dennis Buzukja vs Kaleio Romero Pick

Pick: Dennis Buzukja (-210) (Bet $210 to win $100)

Anton Turkalj vs Acacio Dos Santos Prediction

Anton Turkalj (-170) vs Acacio Dos Santos (+145). With a combined 25 fights, this pair of light heavyweights will offer the most experience on the card, with Dos Santos accounting for 18 of them. An eight-fight win streak was broken when he lost to Marcos Brigagao (via an injury) in September, a fight he later got back in April winning via decision. 

As for Turkalj, he comes into this fight a perfect 7-0, with all of his fights ending inside the distance. While the 26-year-old with the perfect record has yet to be tested, I think he passes his first with flying colors tonight and ends this one inside the distance. 

Anton Turkalj vs Acacio Dos Santos Pick

Pick: Anton Turkalj to Win By KO, TKO,DQ/Submission (-125) (Bet $125 to win $100)

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Ozzy Diaz vs Joe Pyfer Prediction

Ozzy Diaz (-120) vs Joe Pyfer (+100). This middleweight clash will serve as the night’s main event, putting a former LFA champ in Diaz against a fighter in Pyfer who was on DWCS Season 4. Diaz will enter the octagon with a record of 7-1, with all seven wins having come inside of two rounds. 

For Pyfer, his first fight with DWCS ended via a nasty injury in August 2020, one he has since recovered from and already earned a win since. All but one of his eight professional wins have come inside the distance, making this fight all but sure to end with violence. While I lean Diaz, I like this fight to end in the very first round.

Ozzy Diaz vs Joe Pyfer Pick

Pick: Winning Round - Round 1 (+100) (Bet $100 to win $100)

How To Bet On Dana White's Contender Series

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