After ten weeks of amazing fights, the final episode of the ninth season of Dana White’s Contender Series makes its way to television screens around the world. In the headlining bout, Brazil’s Michael Oliveira goes toe-to-toe with Fury FC champion Victor Valenzuela. In the co-main event, undefeated prospects Freddy Vidal and Levi Rodrigues come to blows in their hot pursuit of a UFC contract.
DWCS 86 Main Event
Unbeaten at 8-0, Oliveira has emerged as a rising star on the Brazilian regional scene, including winning six straight bouts in the LFA ahead of DWCS 86. The 27-year old boasts a stellar finishing ability, ending all but one of his professional contests by knockout.
Riding high after a phenomenal first round stoppage win over Bruce Whitehead to score the Fury FC Interim Welterweight Championship, Valenzuela has not tasted defeat since 2021. A competitor since 2013, “Psicosis” is gearing up for an unabated run in the UFC by capturing a contract in mind-boggling fashion with a win in DWCS 86.
DWCS 86 Co-Main Event
Earlier in September, Vidal made his first appearance on the Contender Series as a major underdog to Felipe Franco, missing weight for the scrap by five pounds. Despite the odds and failure on the scales, “The Barbarian” managed to wear down his opponent and lock up the submission in the fleeting moments of the third round. Now back and much more trimmer this time around in DWCS 86, Vidal is ready to prove doubters and UFC officials that he is the real deal.
Also undefeated, Rodrigues has yet to not get his hand raised in his combat sports career after a stupendous five-fight run as a professional and amateur. Stepping into his third tilt of the year in DWCS 86, “Baby Monster” enters the Apex as a reputable finisher, with all of his triumphs in the cage coming by knockout.
More Bouts On the Card
Rounding out the card on DWCS 86, South Korean fighter Won Il Kwon faces Peruvian bruiser Juan Díaz. Then, the undefeated Marwan Rahiki locks horns with Ananias Mulumba. Also, Azamat Nuftillaev tangles with Jovan Leka. Finally, the perfect Mario Mingaj comes to blows with Contender Series alum Wes Schultz.
DWCS 86 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 86 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Rio
- Hank Strandberg: 177-99
- Frazer Krohn: 140-98
3.Drew Zuhosky: 138-136
- Jeremy Brand: 124-87
- Andrew Benjamin: 32-90
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Wesley Schultz -170
Vs.
Mario Mingaj +145
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Schultz by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Mingaj by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Schultz by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Schultz: 2
Staff picking Mingaj: 1
Azamat Nuftillaev -120
Vs.
Jovan Leka +100
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Nuftillaev by Second Round Knockout Drew Zuhosky: Leka by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Nuftillaev by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Nuftillaev: 2
Staff picking Leka: 1
Marwan Rahiki -250
Vs.
Ananias Mulumba +210
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Rahiki by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Mulumba by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Rahiki by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Rahiki: 2
Staff picking Mulumba: 1
Won Il Kwon -155
Vs.
Juan Diaz +135
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Kwon by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Diaz by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Diaz by First Round Submission
Staff picking Kwon Diaz: 1
Staff picking Diaz: 2
Levi Rodrigues -140
Vs.
Freddy Vidal +120
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Vidal by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Rodrigues by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Vidal by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Rodrigues: 1
Staff picking Vidal: 2
Michael Oliveira -215
Vs.
Victor Valenzuela +185
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Oliveira by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Oliveira by Second Round Submission
Frazer Kron: Oliveira by Second Round Submission
Staff picking Oliveira: 3
Staff picking Valenzuela: 0
