The Contender Series heads to Week 3 with six fights. Last week saw all five winners handed contracts in what was one of the more action-packed events for any MMA event. That’s a tough act to follow as this Tuesday night may see more decisions than Dana or the fans would like to see.
That doesn’t equal a boring event. No ma’am, in fact it may mean several “Fight of the Night” contenders if this was a regular UFC event. The MMA odds are out as we quickly preview each fight.
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, NV, United States
- Watch on: ESPN
Contender Series Week 3:
Jailton Almeida vs Nasrudin Nasrudinov
Moneyline: Jailton Almeida +160, Nasrudin Nasrudinov -200
Total: Over 1½ (-170), Under 1½ (+140)
Weight Class (Rounds): Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
The classic grappler versus striker match as Almeida (13-2-0) takes on Nasrudinov (9-0-0). The Russian should be able to stuff Almeida’s takedown attempts where he can beat him up on the feet. However, don’t sleep on Almeida’s jiu-jitsu as he could just submit Nasrudinov when he sees an opening. Take the under here as we could see either one finish the other early.
Pick: Under 1½ (+140)
Mo Miller vs Brandon Lewis
Moneyline: Brandon Lewis +400, Mo Miller -600
Total: Over 1½ (-145), Under 1½ (+115)
Weight Class (Rounds): Bantamweight (135 lbs ) (3 Rounds)
Miller (5-0-0) is the biggest sports betting favorite of the card thanks to his powerful wrestling. He’s big for the weight class and has a strength and size advantage over fellow unbeaten prospect Lewis (+400). The underdog could edge this fight if he keeps the fight standing. Miller is too steep of a favorite so bet the over instead.
Pick: Over 1½ (-145)
Albert Duraev vs Caio Bittencourt
Moneyline: Caio Bittencourt +325, Albert Duraev -450
Total: Over 1½ (+110), Under 1½ (-140)
Weight Class (Rounds): Middleweight (185 lbs ) (3 Rounds)
Duraev (13-3-0) and Bittencourt (14-6-0) are big boys who are cutting down to middleweight. Neither has lost a fight in the last six years though the lengthy odds on Duraev speak to his experience training and fighting higher-level competition. We hate to have a broken record, but there’s more value betting online for this fight to finish early rather than picking a winner.
Pick: Under 1½ (-140)
Lukasz Brzeski vs Dylan Potter
Moneyline: Dylan Potter +325, Lukasz Brzeski -450
Total: Over 1½ (-170), Under 1½ (+140)
Weight Class (Rounds): Heavyweight (265 lbs ) (3 Rounds)
Now come the big guys as American Top Team’s Potter (10-5-0) takes on the massive Brzeski (8-1-1) as a big underdog. Potter has decent value here as he may just be too fast for Brzeski. The Pole is a more polished striker and is much bigger. He could just put out Potter with the first clean shot he lands. But the speed disadvantage makes him a shaky bet at this price.
4 days until I turn dreams into reality. pic.twitter.com/O7tqKLox6P
— Dylan Potter (@Dylanpottermma) September 10, 2021
Pick: Dylan Potter +325
Jack Della Maddalena vs Ange Loosa
Moneyline: Ange Loosa Ev, Jack Della Maddalena -130
Total: Over 1½ (-140), Under 1½ (+110)
Weight Class (Rounds): Welterweight (170 lbs ) (3 Rounds)
Della Maddalena (9-2-0) has been on a tear since dropping his first two pro bouts. He comes from a line of savvy striking Kiwis similar to Israel Adesanya and Brad Riddell hence why he’s chalk. Loosa (7-1-0) is more of a grappler here but has only fought twice in the last three years. Della Maddalena may just be too sharp for the underdog.
Pick: Jack Della Maddalena -130
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Julia Polastri
Moneyline: Jasmine Jasudavicius -130 vs Julia Polastri Ev
Total: Over 2½ (-200), Under 1½ (+160)
Weight Class (Rounds): Flyweight (125 lbs ) (3 Rounds)
Jasudavicius (5-1-0) could be the next hot prospect in women’s MMA but she has a stiff test against the Brazilian, Polastri (8-2-0). This fight hinges on Jasudavicius’s ability to keep Polastri from grinding her out. Thankfully, the Canadian should hold her own in the clinch and pick off Polastri as she makes it 2-0 for Canada this week.
