Dana White Contender Series Week 9 Odds, Picks & Predictions (Oct 7)

• Dana White’s Contender Series Week 9 airs from the UFC Apex on Tuesday, October 7
• Lightweights Lucas Caldas and Magomed Zaynukov clash in Tuesday’s main event
• See all the Dana White’s Contender Series Week 9 odds, picks and predictions below

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Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9 continues with Week 9 on Tuesday, Oct. 7. We’ve got one massive mismatch to open the night, but I found some interesting underdogs worth backing throughout the card for my DWCS betting picks.

The lightweight main event sees undefeated Magomed Zaynukov taking on the aggressive Lucas Caldas. Both bring Muay Thai backgrounds but totally different approaches. Tuesday’s Contender Series fights start from the UFC Apex at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN+.

Let’s dig into my Dana White’s Contender Series Week 9 predictions and best bets for Tuesday’s action.

Dana White’s Contender Series Week 9 Odds

Odds as of October 7, 2025, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim a DraftKings promo code to wager on the DWCS.

Luke Fernandez is a monster -1200 favorite over Rafael Pergentino in what looks to be a showcase fight. The New Jersey native is the largest favorite on this card by a massive margin.

Meanwhile, I’m eyeing Lucas Caldas at +330 over Magomed Zaynukov in the main event for the best underdog value in my Dana White picks.

Lucas Caldas vs Magomed Zaynukov Prediction

Magomed Zaynukov (7-0) trains with Islam Makhachev and has a Muay Thai world title to his name. He’s beaten solid competition in UAE Warriors but has shown vulnerability to takedowns and went to decision in his last two fights. Not exactly the finishing mentality Dana White typically rewards.

Lucas Caldas (6-1) fights with reckless abandon. The Brazilian has finished five of six wins by knockout and trains at Nova União with high-level grapplers. His only loss came via DQ for an illegal stomp while he was destroying his opponent. Caldas pushes forward constantly and throws with violent intentions.

Lucas Caldas makes it quick #Shooto127 pic.twitter.com/j9blxawaYg

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 13, 2024

Zaynukov is technically superior and more measured, but that’s not always what wins contracts. Caldas brings the violence that gets Dana White excited. At +330, I think Caldas has serious value for our DWCS predictions. His aggressive style could overwhelm Zaynukov early.

I’m taking Caldas as a live underdog. His finishing ability and fan-friendly style make him dangerous here.

• Pick: Lucas Caldas (+330)

Luke Fernandez vs Rafael Pergentino Pick

Luke Fernandez (5-0) is the CFFC light heavyweight champion with wins over legitimate competition. He trains with Alex Pereira in Connecticut, holds grappling wins over UFC fighters Phil Hawes and Eryk Anders, and has finished 80% of his fights. This is a showcase fight for him.

Rafael Pergentino (5-0) has fought nobody. His opponents have terrible records, and he was recently a BJJ blue belt fighting at heavyweight. The Brazilian looks slow, unathletic, and completely outmatched in Tuesday’s DWCS odds.

🗿💪Luke Fernandez shares that he was inspired by training with Alex Pereira:

"Not everyone gets the chance to see what goes into a championship camp at that level.

I tried to absorb every bit of information, skill, and advice he gave me and move forward with it."

🎥… pic.twitter.com/SqXO7eZPwu

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 16, 2025

This should end quickly and violently. Fernandez has power, wrestling, and elite grappling. Pergentino has nothing that threatens him. The -1200 line is massive, but I like Fernandez inside the distance for slightly better value in parlays.

I’m adding Fernandez to finish inside the distance to my parlay tonight rather than laying that moneyline juice in the Contender series odds.

• Pick: Luke Fernandez wins inside distance (-900)

Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias Prediction

Donavon Hedrick (6-0) has never needed three minutes to win a fight. All six victories came in round one, with his longest fight lasting just 2:48. He’s explosive, athletic, and hits like a truck. The problem? We haven’t seen him tested.

Luis Felipe Dias (15-5) brings 20 pro fights worth of experience but hasn’t competed since 2023. He’s a BJJ black belt with heavy hands but terrible defense. Dias has been dropped six times in his last seven fights and tends to keep his chin high.

Neither fighter has proven they can last into the later rounds. Hedrick always finishes early, and Dias either wins fast or gets stopped fast. This is my top pick for a quick finish in DWCS Week 9 predictions.

Both guys need a spectacular finish to earn a contract. I’m expecting fireworks early.

• Pick: Fight Under 1.5 Rounds (-180)

Imanol Rodriguez vs Roque Conceicao Pick

Imanol Rodriguez (5-1) nearly won The Ultimate Fighter, losing a controversial split decision to eventual winner Joseph Morales. He trains at AKA with Daniel Cormier and has elite boxing for the flyweight division. Rodriguez lands 4.9 significant strikes per minute and has excellent cardio.

Roque Conceicao (10-2) brings a 90% finishing rate but tends to brawl rather than fight technically. He’s aggressive and dangerous but makes tactical errors, like shooting for takedowns against superior grapplers. His losses have exposed defensive gaps.

Rodriguez’s technical boxing and fight IQ should control this fight. He’ll pick Conceicao apart from range and avoid the brawls. I like the point spread for value in my Dana White’s Contender Series predictions.

I’m going with Rodriguez covering the spread here. Could see a decision too.

• Pick: Imanol Rodriguez -3.5 (-140)

Mark Vologdin vs Adrian Luna Martinetti Prediction

Mark Vologdin (12-3-1) trains at Allstars in Sweden alongside Khamzat Chimaev. The 5’3″ bantamweight has an 83% finish rate with explosive Kyokushin Karate kicks and surprising power. He’s won seven straight and shows excellent fight IQ.

Adrian Luna Martinetti (16-1) has the height and reach advantage at 5’8″ with a 72-inch reach. The Ecuadorian trains at the UFC PI and brings a solid grappling game. But he’s not particularly fast or powerful, relying more on volume and positioning.

Mark Vologdin will be competing tomorrow night on Dana White’s Contender Series.

The 5’5” Russian did this in the 2017 World Cup Semifinal. #DWCS pic.twitter.com/Ul3GINu55v

— ⚖️ (@LudisCharta) October 6, 2025

Vologdin’s compact frame and explosive striking should trouble Martinetti. His body shots are particularly dangerous, and he’s got the wrestling defense to keep it standing. I’m sticking with the favorite for Tuesday’s DWCS betting picks.

Vologdin’s ability to finish fights makes him a good bet at these odds.

• Pick: Mark Vologdin (-148)

DraftKings Parlay Opportunities

DraftKings has some pre-made parlays for Week 9 that caught my eye:

“Lights Out” Parlay (+355): Zaynukov and Vologdin both by KO/TKO. Vologdin has the power, but Zaynukov has been going to decisions lately. I’m passing on this one.

“Contending Plays” (+607): Hedrick, Rodriguez, Luna, and Zaynukov all to win. Honestly, I’d swap Luna for Vologdin and Zaynukov for Caldas if you want real value.

My Custom Parlay: Fernandez inside distance + Hedrick/Dias Under 1.5 rounds pays around +240. I’m combining two high-confidence violence spots for solid value in my Dana White picks Tuesday.