Dana White’s Contender Series Predictions: Season 3, Episode 9
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Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) episode 9 will air on ESPN+ this Tuesday.
Week 9 we’ll see Leon Shahbazyan take another shot at earning a contract this season after not being able to fight in his original bout. Last week fans saw a developmental contract handed out to William Knight, showing that they believe he just needs more work before he earns an official UFC contract. We have seen the developmental contract handed out to the likes of Greg Hardy and Chase Hooper in previous seasons.
Make sure that you tune in this week, you never know if you will see the next superstar in the sport. Multiple contracts are handed out each week, and there has been plenty of excitement to go around. There seems to be no reason to think differently this week.
The Scrap has predictions for the ninth card below.
Ricky Steele vs Phil Caracappa (Bantamweight)
Connor: Steele is an interesting prospect, and it will be interesting to see how he performs with a contact on the line. He is undefeated as a professional at 5-0. He does not fight very frequently, and does not finish fights frequently. Steele is coming to fight for the first time since February 2018, in what will be his second time fighting for a UFC contract.
Caracappa has also won most of his fights via decision, but does have a pair of round 3 finishes on his resume. Caracappa is undefeated as a professional with an 8-0 record, but has an extensive amateur fight history where he fought the likes of current UFC fighter, and TUF 27 winner Mike Trizano.
Phil Caracappa def. Rickey Steele via unanimous decision.
Micol di Segni vs Mallory Martin (Strawweight)
Connor: di Segni has an impressive resume, showing the ability to win in different fashions. She has submitted opponents and knocked out opponents, and has shown that she can get the decision victory as well. The 31-year-old will look to make her way into the UFC with a fight against a dangerous young prospect in the 25-year-old Martin.
Martin rides a 3-fight win streak coming into this bout with her last loss coming to Maycee Barber. Barber has proven to be the real deal in the UFC and Martin looks to prove that she belongs in that same class.
Mallory Martin def. Micol di Segni via TKO in round 2.
Desmond Torres vs Steve Garcia (Bantamweight)
Connor: Torres loves to submit his opponents, with his last 3 wins coming from submissions. He comes in with a 7-1 professional record and is supporting a 5-fight win streak. The Hawaiian born fighter will look to choke out the competition en route to a UFC contract.
Garcia likes to KO his opponents with 6 of his wins coming that way. He fights out of Jackson Wink, showing that he has a championship-level camp and training partners. Garcia is big as a featherweight standing 6′ even, and will also be making a jump down to the bantamweight division for this fight. He will be much taller than Torres who stands at 5’7″.
Steve Garcia def. Desmond Torres via TKO in round 1.
Marcos Brigagao vs Jamal Pogues (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: Brigagao is an undefeated Brazilian prospect. He has finished every one of his professional fights, submitting and KOing at his own pleasure. The 23-year-old looks to begin his UFC journey with his fourth fight of 2019. Brigagao also fought twice in March, only 8 days apart, with the total fight time being just over 2:30. His third KO in 2019 came in May, in the first round just under 4 minutes. He does not waste time.
Pogues also fights frequently. He is also 23 years old, but has 17 fights, amateur and professional, to Brigagao’s 11 professional fights. A finish from either man would probably earn them a contract, and both of these fighters like to finish fights.
Marcos Brigagao def. Jamal Pogues via TKO in round 1.
Leon Shahbazyan vs Philip Rowe (Welterweight)
Connor: Shahbazyan was set to fight earlier this season, but was deemed medically unfit to compete and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Hopefully fans have the opportunity to see the submission specialist fight this time. Most people probably already know that he is the brother of UFC prospect, Edmen Shahbazyan. After a tough start to Rowe’s career starting 1-2, he has rattled off 5 wins in a row to find himself knocking on the doorstep of the UFC.
Rowe has a strong submission game that should make for an interesting match. This will be the battle of the choke artists with 8 submission victories coming by some sort of choke between both of these fighters.
Leon Shahbazyan def. Philip Rowe via submission in round 2.
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Connor “Rags” Rogowsky is a co-owner of The Scrap and its current President. Rogowsky played football and track collegiately, and holds a Masters of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Make sure to follow Rags on Twitter (@rogowskyc).
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