Dana White Contender Series Week 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions (Aug 20)

•  Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 goes down Tuesday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas
• Andreas Gustafsson vs Pat Pytlik headlines an action-packed card featuring top prospects
•  Read on for Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 odds, picks, and predictions

Dana White’s Contender Series returns for its second week of action on Tuesday night (Aug 20) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This popular series gives up-and-coming MMA fighters a chance to earn a coveted UFC contract by impressing Dana White with their performances.

Headlining the card is a welterweight clash between Sweden’s Andreas Gustafsson and Canada’s Pat Pytlik. With four other compelling matchups featuring hungry prospects, DWCS Week 2 promises high-stakes drama and potential UFC stars in the making.

Let’s break down the odds for each fight, as we provide analysis and betting predictions to help you make informed wagers

Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 Odds

In the Season 8 Dana White Contender Series odds for Week 2, Rizvan Kuniev comes in as the heaviest favorite on the card at -600. That is an implied win probability of 85.7%.

Fans can catch all the fight live on ESPN+, with the broadcasting getting underway at 7:00 pm ET.

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Odds as of August 20, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Register with the DraftKings promo code to wager on the Dana White Contender Series odds.

Andreas Gustafsson vs Pat Pytlik Prediction

The main event between welterweights Andreas Gustafsson and Pat Pytlik has all the ingredients for a barnburner. These two guys have a combined 19 finishes in 21 wins, so you know it will be pure violence.

Gustafsson, the -230 favorite, has a knack for putting guys away early or ragdolling them against the fence. He’s faced way tougher competition than Pytlik, including an amateur win over current UFC fighter Christian Leroy Duncan.

Andreas Gustafsson (170.5)#DWCS pic.twitter.com/YrgcIKnRPG

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) August 19, 2024

Pytlik’s technical muay Thai and crushing leg kicks could be a factor if he can maintain distance. But at 35, with just two fights since 2019, the Canadian vet might have a tough time dealing with Gustafsson’s constant forward pressure.

Look for the Swede to lean on his dirty boxing in close quarters, wearing down Pytlik before putting him away late. I think there’s solid value in betting Gustafsson to win by KO/TKO/DQ at +110.

• Pick: Gustafsson via KO/TKO/DQ (+110)

Torrez Finney vs Cam Rowston Prediction

Wrestling powerhouse Torrez Finney makes his second DWCS appearance against New Zealand’s Cam Rowston. Finney is the second-heaviest favorite in the Dana White Contender Season 2 odds for a good reason.

It’s surprising that Finney didn’t get a contract last season despite moving to 8-0 with a dominant submission win. Since then, he’s notched two more finishes and shown improved striking to go with his suffocating grappling.

The undefeated Torrez Finney fights once again for a UFC contract tonight. Hopefully this time he gets it. pic.twitter.com/I61VaFsBhJ

— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) August 20, 2024

Rowston trains at the renowned City Kickboxing gym, but his strength of schedule pales in comparison to Finney’s. The Kiwi will have a size advantage at 6’2″ against the 5’8″ Finney, but I don’t see him having the skills to keep the compact wrestling machine at bay.

Instead of laying the hefty -425 moneyline on Finney, I prefer playing him to win inside the distance at a more reasonable price. Expect “The Finisher” to drag Rowston to the mat and pound him out.

Picks:

• Torrez Finney Round 1 or 2 (-110 at FD)
• Fight not to go the distance: (-275)

Rizvan Kuniev vs Hugo Cunha Best Bet

Russian heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev is back on DWCS after a failed drug test overturned his PFL win over current champ Renan Ferreira. The Sanda specialist excels at ragdolling opponents to the mat, but his ground game isn’t the most refined.

Brazil’s Hugo Cunha looks like a live underdog at +440. The LFA champ has legit wrestling and BJJ chops, though his striking is a bit wild. If Kuniev gasses without the PEDs, Cunha could steal this one late.

I’m not in love with either side of the moneyline, but I’ll be keeping an eye on the live odds for a potential play on Cunha if he weathers the early storm.

• Pick: Live underdog bet on Cunha

Billy Brand vs Cody Haddon Pick

The opening bout pits California’s Billy Brand against Australian prospect Billy Brand. Alpha Male product Brand brings elite striking to the cage, but I’m backing Haddon at -148 in the DWCS odds.

The former amateur boxer has a complete game, flawlessly mixing in wrestling and submissions with his hands. Plus, fighters from Down Under have been killing it on DWCS lately.

Brand’s power gives him a fighting chance, but Haddon’s durability and grappling edge should see him through. The over 2.5 rounds prop at -120 is also my pick, as Haddon may opt to grind this one out and showcase his complete skill set.

• Haddon by decision (+225)
• Over 2.5 rounds (-120)

Cortavious Romious vs Michael Imperato Picks

Fan favorite Cortavious Romious looks to bounce back from last season’s quick DWCS loss. At just 5’4″, he’ll always be at a height disadvantage, but the athletic grappler has a nasty submission game.

Cortavious Romious lands an INSANE 20 SECOND spinning back kick KO 🥶

Romious looks for redemption tonight as he gets a second chance on the Contender Series. pic.twitter.com/IWusCvxiZE

— BluBets (@BluBets_) August 20, 2024

Canada’s Michael Imperato is actually the much more experienced pro at 12-6. But at 34, he’s been alternating wins and losses lately and looked pretty rough at weigh-ins. If Romious can get inside and make this a grappling match, his pace and arsenal of chokes could be too much.

I think there’s some value in Imperato as a +320 underdog, given Romious’ one-dimensional approach. I’m making a smaller play on the Canadian in this spot, predicting he’ll be able to keep distance enough to pull an upset.

• Imperato by submission (+450)