Dana White’s Contender Series Week 5 Odds & Picks
By Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News
Updated: March 30, 2020 at 4:10 pm EDTPublished:
- Dana White’s Contender Series returns on Tuesday, July 23rd
- Five fights are scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex gym
- See all the odds plus fight predictions below
Dana White’s Contender Series, which features top MMA prospects competing for a chance to secure a UFC contract in front of company president Dana White and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, resumes this Tuesday (July 23rd). Week 5 will include another five fights at the UFC Apex gym with the action starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Below, find odds, previews, and predictions for each bout on Tuesday’s card.
*All odds as of 07/23/19.
Terrance McKinney vs Sean Woodson Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Terrance McKinney (7-1) | -260 |
| Sean Woodson (5-0) | +220 |
This will be a very interesting fight, as both McKinney and Woodson are solid on the ground and have shown their striking is getting better.
Although it will be an interesting fight, as the odds suggest, McKinney should win. I believe he gets in a first or second-round submission and earns a UFC contract.
Pick: Terrance McKinney (-260)
Ramazan Kuramagomedov vs Jordan Williams Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ramzan Kuramagomedov (5-0) | -380 |
| Jordan Williams (8-2) | +315 |
Once again, just like the last fight, this one sees a massive favorite. And again, it’s a favorite I am very high on and believe should already be in the UFC. Kuramagomedov has a solid wrestling and jiu-jitsu background, while Williams will look to keep the fight standing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRx9rbofAE
Williams was on the Contender Series last year and his fight ended in a no-contest. He then fought in Bellator where he picked up a win. Yet, I think Kuramagomedov is too good for Williams and will simply maul him en route to victory and a UFC contract.
Pick: Ramzan Kuramagomedov (-380)
Christian Lohsen vs JJ Okanovich Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Christian Lohsen (7-1) | +125 |
| JJ Okanovich (6-1) | -145 |
This is a very intriguing matchup as both are known for their work on the ground and off the back. Usually, when two jiu-jitsu fighters fight, the action stays upright. That’s where I see Okanovich having an edge. His striking is better and he has faced better competition, which should get him a decision win here.
Pick: JJ Okanovich (-145)
Jamahal Hill vs Alexander Poppeck Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jamahal Hill (5-0) | -190 |
| Alexander Poppeck (9-2) | +165 |
I really like the underdog in Alexander Poppeck in this one. He has faced better competition in Rob Wilkinson, who has fought in the UFC and fought against Israel Adesanya. But, Hill has fought and beat UFC fighters, too, I just like Poppeck’s striking a tad more and think he can knock out Hill. But, this is the toughest fight to call on the card.
Pick: Alexander Poppeck (+165)
Billy Quarantillo vs Kamuela Kirk Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Billy Quarantillo (11-2) | +220 |
| Kamuela Kirk (9-2) | -260 |
Billy Quarantillo is a former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter where he won his opening matchup and then lost to Saul Rogers and has been fighting locally to try and get back to the UFC.
But, I think Kirk is too good, and better everywhere and will dictate where the fight goes and get a second or third round finish.
Pick: Kamuela Kirk (-260)
Sports Writer
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
