Dana White’s Contender Series 19 Odds

• Dana White’s Contender Series returns on Tuesday, July 9th
• Five fights are scheduled to take place from the UFC Apex gym
• See all the odds and predictions below

Dana White’s Contender Series has become must-see TV on Tuesday night for MMA fans. There, top MMA prospects compete for a chance to secure a UFC contract in front of UFC president, Dana White and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard.

This Tuesday sees five fights happen at the UFC Apex gym with the action starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. Let’s dive into the odds.

Jesse Wallace vs Joseph Solecki Odds

*All odds taken 07/08/19

In the main event,  top lightweight prospects in Jesse Wallace takes on Joseph Solecki. Wallace is on a four-fight winning streak dating back to October 2017, while Solecki is on a two-fight winning streak.

This fight, like the odds show, will be a close one. They both have very solid ground games, with most of their wins coming by submission. But, Solecki is better at that, as well as the striking department, so I think Solecki wins this fight and a contract.

Pick: Joseph Solecki (-195)

Antonio Trocoli vs Kenneth Bergh Odds

Kenneth Bergh is arguably the best light heavyweight prospect not in the UFC. He has been fighting in Cage Warriors, which is either the best or second-best European MMA promotion, and hasn’t lost yet. He has all wins coming by stoppage, five by submission, one by TKO and has beaten some tough competition.

Trocoli, meanwhile,  has a loss against Dhiego Lima, which does not look good given Lima is on the cusp of being cut by the UFC. He hasn’t beaten any notable names, and I expect Bergh to finish this fight by submission.

Pick: Kenneth Berg (-230)

Chris Ocon vs Hunter Azure Odds

This should be the best fight of the night as two undefeated prospects square off. Ocon has a solid ground game and has shown he can knock out his opponents, which is what the UFC wants finishers. Azure meanwhile is solid at both the ground and the standup and trains a very good game at MMA Lab. They have top fighters there and I think this is just a little too soon for Ocon, who will one day be in the UFC. Azure by decision is the pick.

Pick: Hunter Azure (-210)

Justin Sumter vs Maki Pitolo Odds

Justin Sumter is hoping the second time is a charm. The 29-year-old was on Dana White’s Contender Series last year and was knocked out by Ian Heinisch, which in retrospect is not a bad loss. He is also coming off of a big win over Reginaldo Felix at Bellator 216 where he submitted him by decision.

Pitolo, meanwhile, has fought some tough guys like Dakota Cochrane, and Thiago Rela, who he knocked out. But, I think Sumter is too good for Pitolo, and I expect Sumter to submit the Hawaiian and earn a UFC contract.

Pick: Justin Sumer (-150)

Jacob Rosales vs Jonathan Pearce Odds

Although this will be a solid fight, I don’t think either are UFC caliber. This will be a super close fight that I think will go the distance as both are still learning the fight game on the regional scene.

In this fight, I really like the underdog on Jonathan Pearce as he has bigger wins and has fought in promotions like Bellator on the prelims. He also finishes fights, so if he can get an early finish I think he could get a contract, but the two are so evenly matched it will go to the distance with Pearce getting his hand raised.

Pick: Jonathan Pearce (+115)