Dana White’s prospect-contending promotion has reached its final event of the 2021 season, and the MMASucka staff have their picks locked in for the card ahead.
Later tonight, November 1, will see Dana White’s Contender Series 46 take place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event marks an end to its ten-week stretch of mixed martial arts combat with athletes around the world competing for a chance at a UFC contract. All five fights will be aired for subscribers on ESPN+ beginning at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT).
Make sure to recap our picks from Saturday’s UFC 267 event in Abu Dhabi. Also, stay tuned to MMASucka for our UFC 268 picks this upcoming weekend.
The Fights
Lightweights (155 lbs.) Achilles Estremadura and Maheshate Maheshate will take center stage in the final Contender Series event of the year. Estremadura has made his name known competing in Battlefield Fight League, winning the divisional title in mid-2018 and scoring four defenses since. The Vancouver native will aim to remain undefeated in only his eight professional fight. Estremadura’s opponent, Maheshate, is set for his first ever bout outside his homeland of China. An impressive win would not only grant a UFC contract but could put the 21-year-old as the second-youngest fighter on the roster alongside teammate and training partner Zhu Rong.
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Top undefeated prospects are set to clash in the co-main event between Quebec’s Yohan Lainesse and England’s Justin Burlinson at welterweight (170 lbs.). Lainesse looks to back up his recent impressive showing over Evan Cutts claiming Cage Fury’s championship with a second-round knockout. Burlinson hopes to keep his 100% finishing rate intact, lastly handing David Bear his second career defeat in Cage Warriors.
Find all of our Dana White’s Contender Series 46 picks 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 who the MMASucka staff are picking to win at Dana White’s Contender Series 46.
Staff Records after PFL Championships 2021:
1. Nate Freeman: 214-116
2. Wesley Riddle: 210-120
3. Michael DeSantis: 206-120
4. Frazer Krohn: 199-130
5. Mike Lynch: 180-140
6. Jeremy Brand: 176-144
7. Ash Camyab: 175-121
8. Andrew Benjamin: 127-129
9. Tim Wheaton: 117-89
10. Chris Presnell: 91-39
11. Jake Broderick: 10-2
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Zhifa Shang (32-7) vs. Juan Puerta (22-6)
Jeremy Brand: Puerta via Round 3 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Puerta via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Puerta via Unanimous Decision
Ash Camyab: Puerta via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Shang via Unanimous Decision
Mike Lynch: Shang via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Puerta via Unanimous Decision
Chris Presnell: Puerta via Round 1 SUB
Staff picking Shang: 2
Staff picking Puerta: 6
Jonas Bilharinho (8-1-1) vs. Canaan Kawaihae (6-1, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Kawaihae via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Kawaihae via Unanimous Decision
Michael DeSantis: Bilharinho via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Kawaihae via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Kawaihae via Unanimous Decision
Mike Lynch: Bilharinho via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Kawaihae via Round 1 TKO
Chris Presnell: Bilharinho via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Bilharinho: 3
Staff picking Kawaihae: 5
Lun Qiu (14-7) vs. Erisson Ferreira (10-1)
Jeremy Brand: Qiu via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Ferreira via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Ferreira via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Qiu via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Qiu via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Ferreira via Round 2 TKO
Chris Presnell: Qiu via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Qiu: 4
Staff picking Ferreira: 4
Yohan Lainesse (7-0) vs. Justin Burlinson (6-0)
Jeremy Brand: Lainesse via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Burlinson via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Burlinson via Unanimous Decision
Ash Camyab: Lainesse via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Burlinson via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Burlinson via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Burlinson via Split Decision
Chris Presnell: Burlinson via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Lainesse: 2
Staff picking Burlinson: 6
Achilles Estremadura (7-0) vs. Maheshate Maheshate (5-1)
Jeremy Brand: Estremadura via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Estremadura via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Estremadura via Unanimous Decision
Ash Camyab: Estremadura via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Maheshate via Unanimous Decision
Mike Lynch: Estremadura via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Estremadura via Round 2 TKO
Chris Presnell: Estremadura via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Estremadura: 7
Staff picking Maheshate: 1
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