Dana White’s Contender Series 42 is just hours away, as only five promotional events remain for the 2021 season. Tonight’s fight card will take place from the usual UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with ten of the hottest prospects looking to make a statement for a potential UFC contract. All five fights will be live and available for subscribers on ESPN+ beginning at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT).
Stay tuned to MMASucka for our UFC Vegas 39 staff picks this upcoming Saturday, October 9, as well as live results from tonight’s event.
Dana White’s Contender Series 42 Fights
Welterweights (170 lbs.) Shimon Smotritsky of Israel and Mike Malott of Ontario will meet in the featured bout of the night.
Smotritsky sits at just 21 years old, and with a contract win, the youthful talent would become the youngest active fighter on the UFC roster. An undefeated run of seven wins including two under the Bellator banner have led him to this incredible opportunity. Smotritsky’s opponent, Malott, brings in the experience advantage with his backing of Team Alpha Male and his ten-plus year fighting career. Holding only a lone professional defeat to Hakeem Dawodu, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is ready to earn a possible shot at MMA’s biggest stage.
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In the co-main event, Daniel Barez and Carlos Hernandez will meet in the flyweight division (125 lbs.). Former BAMMA champion Barez and former Hoosier FC champion Hernandez both target a promotional contract while in search of their potential seventh straight victories.
Who are the MMASucka staff picking to win at Dana White’s Contender Series 42? Find out further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from both UFC and Bellator events. Main card fights and selected preliminary fights will be selected for PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will be composed of the full fight card.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
See below for our Dana White’s Contender Series 42 staff picks.
Staff Records after Dana White’s Contender Series 41:
1. Nate Freeman: 175-99
2. Wesley Riddle: 172-102
3. Michael DeSantis: 170-104
4. Frazer Krohn: 157-117
5T. Jeremy Brand: 149-125
5T. Ash Camyab: 149-106
5T. Mike Lynch: 149-115
8. Andrew Benjamin: 120-122
9. Tim Wheaton: 103-80
10. Chris Presnell: 54-24
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
*Note – Bellator 267 & UFC Vegas 38 picks will be added to the above records NEXT weekend*
Patrik White (9-1) vs. Genaro Valdez (9-0)
Jeremy Brand: Valdez via UD
Wesley Riddle: Valdez via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Valdez via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Valdez via UD
Mike Lynch: Valdez via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Valdez via Round 2 SUB
Chris Presnell: Valdez via Round 1 SUB
Staff picking White: 0
Staff picking Valdez: 7
Shonte Barnes (6-1-1) vs. Joseph Holmes (5-1)
Jeremy Brand: Barnes via UD
Wesley Riddle: Holmes via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Holmes via Round 1 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Barnes via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Barnes via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Holmes via Round 1 TKO
Chris Presnell: Holmes via Round 1 SUB
Staff picking Barnes: 3
Staff picking Holmes: 4
Joshua Weems (8-1) vs. Fernie Garcia (9-1)
Jeremy Brand: Weems via Round 3 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Weems via UD
Michael DeSantis: Garcia via SD
Frazer Krohn: Garcia via UD
Mike Lynch: Weems via Round 2 SUB
Nate Freeman: Garcia via UD
Chris Presnell: Garcia via SD
Staff picking Weems: 3
Staff picking Garcia: 4
Daniel Barez (12-4) vs. Carlos Hernandez (6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Barez via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Barez via UD
Michael DeSantis: Barez via UD
Frazer Krohn: Hernandez via SD
Mike Lynch: Barez via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Hernandez via UD
Chris Presnell: Barez via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Barez: 5
Staff picking Hernandez: 2
Shimon Smotritsky (7-0) vs. Mike Malott (6-1-1)
Jeremy Brand: Malott via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Malott via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Malott via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Malott via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Smotritsky via UD
Nate Freeman: Malott via Round 1 TKO
Chris Presnell: Malott via Round 2 SUB
Staff picking Smotritsky: 1
Staff picking Malott: 6
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