Contender Series Week 7 takes place on Tuesday night, and we've got bets and leans for all five bouts, in which UFC hopefuls look to earn their way into the UFC octagon proper.
Season 7 Episode 7 of Contender Series streams tonight on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) from the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas. New Contender Series events take place every Tuesday night and through early October.
As with all UFC Contender Series events, some of tonight's DWCS winners – and even some of the losers – could earn a UFC deal. In fact, the Contender Series events have become one of the UFC's primary feeder systems.
UFC President Dana White is cageside for each show, and after each event, the UFC boss will determine which fighters have earned an official UFC contract.
As a reminder, some sportsbooks can be slow to open Contender Series odds and betting markets – though nearly every major sportsbook eventually does post them.
(Don't forget that you can track your DWCS bets in the Action App.)
Flyweight: Igor da Silva (-175) vs. Jhonata Silva (+145)
We kick off tonight's Week 7 Contender Series event with a Silva-on-Silva flyweight matchup with two relatively green prospects set to lock horns. Jhonata Silva is 8-1 as a professional with his only loss coming via split decision while Igor Silva is a perfect 7-0.
Jhonata has fought most of his career in his native country, but he most recently competed for Cage Warriors in England. He picked up a third-round knockout with a knee, though it was a pair of head kicks that marked the beginning of the end for his opponent. He's a fast striker with a diverse range of attacks and power from all angles.
Jhonata's takedown defense was as bad as I've seen from a fighter at this level, though. His Croatian opponent – primarily a striker himself – repeatedly took down Jhonata with sloppy shots from the outside. Jhonata was able to escape back to his feet most of the time, but he could have a lot more trouble a gainst a more committed grappler.
Igor da Silva is still just 20, having made his pro debut at the age of 15 (!) in Brazil. He's finished all seven of his wins with three knockouts and four submissions. All of his fights have been under the Jungle Fight banner, a mid-level Brazilian promotion that leaves some concerns about the quality of his competition.
However, his last opponent was 9-1, and Igor thoroughly outclassed him, getting the better of the standup and defending increasingly desperate takedown attempts. I wish we were able to find more tape of him grappling offensively, but the four submission wins on his record is at least a hint.
I wanted to be on the underdog here, but his lackluster grappling makes it challenging to pull the trigger. Both fighters are very strong in the standup department, but Igor has the ability to change things up and grapple if need be. Especially with the line moving against him over the past day or two, I'll lay the j uice on the favorite at -175 at Caesars. I'm also interested in a sprinkle on his submission line when it's avaliable.
The Bet: Igor da Silva -170 (Caesars)
Lightweight: Kaynan Kruschewsky (-205) vs. Dylan Mantello (+170)
Next up we have a lightweight tilt featuring another Brazilian (Kaynan Kruschewsky) taking on Weidman-Longo prospect Dylan Mantello.
Kruschewsky is the current Jungle Fight lightweight champion with a 14-1 professional record, but he has also made appearances in French Promotion Ares FC and for LFA.
Kruschewsky also had a unanimous-decision loss overturned due to a failed drug test from his opponent, with Kruschewsky testing positive following that fight as well.
Kruschewsky is a wild and aggressive striker who likes to overwhelm his opponents early. He leaves himself open to takedowns when rushing in, however – a defic iency that's easier to hide on the Brazilian regional scene than when fighting more wrestling-focused opposition.
He's very dangerous on the ground, though, with eight of his professional wins by submission. He's comfortable jumping guillotine and playing off his back when his opponents shoot, a risky strategy that tends to lead to losing minutes.
Mantello is the less experienced fighter at 7-2, turning pro in 2019. He's fought mainly on the East Coast, though he has a pair of fights for Eagle FC as well. At 6-foot-1, he's a massive lightweight, and he should have a significant reach edge over Kruschewsky (though his reach is unlisted). He uses his reach fairly well in the tape I've seen, scoring with leg kicks from range while threatening takedowns.
Of course, representing the Longo-Weidman camp is his best attribute is his grappling. He was hurt by his opponent in his CFFC fight, but he was able to pick up a submission when his oppon ent rushed in for the kill.
I worry about Mantello early as he prefers a more measured start to his fights than the aggressive Kruschewsky. Kruschewsky may be able to overwhelm him early while Mantello is feeling things out. Mantello is the better overall fighter, though, and comes from the more well-respected camp.