Dana White’s Contender Series Predictions: Season 3, Episode 2
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Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) episode 2 will air on ESPN+.
Season 3 has officially begun, week 1 is in the books and we saw 2 contracts go out. Punahele Soriano and Yorgan De Castro were the two fighters walking out of the new UFC Apex Arena with their heads held high knowing their future is with the UFC.
Week 2 will feature a full 5 fights, as last week fans were witness to 4 fights after Leon Shahbazyan was ruled medically ineligible. Each week is full of tough decisions for the UFC executives, this week should be the same.
The Scrap has predictions for the second card this season below.
Miles Johns vs Richie Santiago (Bantamweight)
Joel: What a match to kick off the second episode of season three. Flyweight, Richie Santiago, moves up to bantamweight to challenge an undefeated prospect in Miles Johns. If you know me, you know I don’t choose against Massachusetts fighters, so for that, I’m going with the talented Santiago to leave with the W. After all, the man never leaves the first round, he’s submitted every opponent to a Rear Naked Choke. And he’s going to do it again.
Richie Santiago def. Miles John via submission in round 1.
Connor: Johns has shown that he is well rounded for a young fighter with the ability to finish fights different ways and win decisions if need be. Johns will need to show he has the ability to finish regularly as he has allowed more fights to go to the judges than he, or Dana would like. And yes Joel and I are both North Easters, but Santiago just seems to overwhelm and outclass his opponents on the ground. Either fighter has the chance for a contract with a win, both are young fighters, with strong records, and finishing ability.
Richie Santiago def. Miles John via submission in round 2.
Michael Lombardo vs Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Joel: Although I’m not familiar with either fighter, I see what the UFC does sometimes with their matchmaking. Because of that, I’m going with the 26-year-old prospect from Pennsylvania, Daukaus. Not only is he the younger fighter, he’s undefeated and the UFC needs more middleweights. Lombardo won’t be an easy task though- he has a history of finishing the night early.
Kyle Daukaus def. Michael Lombardo via submission in round 3.
Connor: Lombardo has been on a roll recently winning 5 straight and finishing the last 4 fights. Lombardo trains at American Top Team, so you know he has a solid camp supporting him. Daukaus has a lot of experience for someone his age with multiple amateur fights. However, he is undefeated as a professional. Just one thing to be weary of, Daukaus loves to go after the neck and choke out his opponent in different ways, and he is very good at it too.
Kyle Daukaus def. Michael Lombardo via submission in round 2.
Zach Zane vs Justin Gonzales (Featherweight)
Joel: WHAT. A. FIGHT. I’m honestly torn with this one. I’m a big fan of Gonzales, who fights for Sparta Combat League here in Colorado. He’s also undefeated, finishing fights early and getting some experience with decision wins. I think it’s insane the Zane is cutting from welterweight to fight Justin at 145 pounds, but he’s ranked #2 in Hawaii in that division for a reason. I have to go with my guy, JT in this one. I think the fight will be a fight of the night candidate with Gonzales getting his hand raised, staying perfect.
Justin Gonzales def. Zach Zane via unanimous decision.
Connor: This could shape up to be an incredible fight. Yes Gonzales is undefeated, but not just as a professional. Gonzales is undefeated as an amateur as well. The man is a winner, plain and simple. He has recently found his way to finishing fights, and he will need to show that he can continue the recent trend of finishing fights instead of letting the judges decide. Zane is a finisher, and has a killer instinct on the ground, finding submissions often.
Zach Zane def. Justin Gonzales via submission in round 3.
Alton Cunningham vs Tony Johnson (Light Heavyweight)
Joel: BANDANA BO BABY! You know I have to go with my guy, Cunningham, to leave with the win and contract. This is Alton’s second appearance on DWCS and after talking to him this weekend, he’s more than ready. He already had his experience fighting on the show last season, he’s improved, moved up to LHW, and has remained a problem for anyone they put in front of him at this weight. I don’t see the fight going any other way than with Alton getting another W added to his resume.
Alton Cunningham def. Tony Johnson via TKO in round 2.
Connor: Cunningham lost his prior appearance on DWCS, but bounced back with two straight wins, and has finished every one of them. Dana wants killers, and since age is a factor sometimes, know that Cunningham is a young killer. All he does is knock people out, so be ready for this one. Johnson is 36 and is not an easy out, but he would need an impressive performance to get a contract from Dana here.
Alton Cunningham def. Tony Johnson via TKO in round 1.
Miguel Baeza vs Victor Reyna (Welterweight)
Joel: I’m not familiar with either fighter, however, Baeza is perfect, with a 6-0 record. Although 10-3, Reyna has more experience coming into the fight, and is fighting out of Texas- an area known for producing killers. I believe Reyna will get the upset here, not only because of his experience, but the resume in which he has built. One of his three losses comes to Kevin Holland, who was featured last season. Reyna may go the distance in this one, but he’ll come out as the winner.
Victor Reyna def. Miguel Baeza via unanimous decision.
Connor: Reyna is coming off a no-contest in his last fight, and the fight before that came in a split decision win. Not to take away from what he has done in his career as he has multiple first round KOs, but it seems odd to go after this guy now when he is 32 and his only fight in 2018 was the fight that ended in a no-contest. Baeza is undefeated, 26 years old, and knocks out everyone. I think the UFC is probably looking to sign Baeza, but will be happy with signing an exciting KO artist if either fighter shows out.
Miguel Baeza def. Victor Reyna via TKO in round 3.
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Follow our writers Connor Rogowsky (@rogowskyc) and Joel Torres (@joelisacoolkid).
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