Week five of the Contender Series is nearly upon us, as two of the most premier heavyweight prospects in the United States, Steven Asplund and Anthony Guarascio, collide in what has all the makings of a Contender Series classic. In the penultimate match of the evening, LFA featherweight gold standard LerryAn Douglas attempts to storm his way into the organization when he grapples with Cameron Teague.
Dana White’s Contender Series 81 Main Event
Impressing in his latest outing to the cage back in April, Guarascio captured the CFFC 265-lb title with a dominant first round knockout over Contender Series alum Bailey Schoenfelder. Although only 3-0 as a professional, “The Daywalker” has displayed a great deal of promise as an up-and-coming mixed martial artist.
Cutting his teeth on the stacked Midwest regional circuit, Asplund has become a staple attraction of all LFA events taking place in Minnesota. Currently in the midst of a two-fight winning streak, “Concrete” aims to cement his place as a fresh new threat in the UFC’s hardest-hitting division with a statement win over his undefeated adversary.
Dana White’s Contender Series 81 Co-Main Event
Almost a year removed from his first endeavor on the show, where he lost to the surging Kevin Vallejos, Teague has kept quite an active schedule, taking three fights since the loss, getting his hand raised in all of them. Now a much more seasoned veteran the second time around, “Chaos” brings with him a renewed sense of determination to finally secure his UFC contract.
The proud owner of a four-bout win streak, Douglas put a stamp on his legacy in the LFA after a quartet of fantastic knockouts, culminating in his capturing of the company’s featherweight strap. In recent weeks, Brazil has seen a handful of elite athletes bop their way into the UFC, and “Gunslinger” is primed to continue that trend with a stalwart performance in Las Vegas.
More Bouts On the Dana White’s Contender Series 81 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, previous Cage Warriors competitor Chasen Blair tests himself against Samuel Sanches. Then, undefeated fighters Felipe Franco and Freddy Vidal clash, with both men’s coveted zeroes and a UFC contract on the line. Finally, former PFL name Shanelle Dyer horns with Brazilian knockout artist Carol Foro.
Dana White’s Contender Series 81 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains.
Find our DWCS 81 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after DWCS 80
- Hank Strandberg: 156-85
- Frazer Krohn: 119-84
- Drew Zuhosky: 119-122
- Jeremy Brand: 116-82
- Andrew Benjamin: 32-90
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Shanelle Dyer -175
Vs.
Carol Foro +145
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Foro by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Dyer by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Dyer by Second Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Dyer by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Dyer: 3
Staff picking Foro: 1
Samuel Sanches -120
Vs.
Chasen Blair +100
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Blair by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Blair by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Blair by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Blair by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Sanches: 0
Staff picking Blair: 4
Felipe Franco -450
Vs.
Freddy Vidal +350
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Franco by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Franco by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Vidal by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Franco by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Franco: 3
Staff picking Vidal: 1
Lerryan Douglas -700
Vs.
Cam Teague +525
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Douglas by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Teague by First Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Teague by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Douglas by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Douglas: 2
Staff picking Teague: 2
Anthony Guarascio -165
Vs.
Steven Asplund +145
HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Guarascio by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Guarascio by First Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Asplund by Split Decision
Frazer Krohn: Guarascio by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Guarascio: 3
Staff picking Asplund: 1
