Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 Picks, Odds & Predictions: Fazil vs Brito & More

• Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10 Week 2 rolls on with life-changing UFC contracts on the line.
• I am fading Kaik Brito due to the glaring holes in his game
• See my expert Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 predictions, picks and odds below.

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The action takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday at 7 pm ET on Paramount+. Fighters are looking to secure a life-changing promotional contract. I am fully focused on the welterweight main event headlined by Namo Fazil vs. Kaik Brito.

Bettors have plenty of distinct angles to exploit on this Tuesday night card. I have evaluated the matchups and the BetMGM lines to identify the best betting value.

Let’s dive into the Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 odds and my final fight picks.

Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 Odds

The main event is fairly evenly-lined, with Namo Fazil coming in as the -190 favorite over Kaik Brito. The biggest favorite on the board is Douglas Rodrigues at -400. As such, Trent Miller enters as the biggest underdog at +310.

Odds as of August 18 at BetMGM. Check out the best UFC betting apps for Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2.

Fazil vs Brito Prediction

Namo Fazil and Kaik Brito both enter this matchup with high-level pre-UFC experience. Fazil is coming off a win over Jake Babian at MVP MMA 1, and Brito returns to DWCS three years after losing to Oban Elliott.

Brito has the physical tools to look like a UFC-level talent, but I still have questions about his composure and decision-making. He wins with big movements and wild attacks, and that gets harder against someone as clean and patient as Fazil, whose defense is by the book.

Fazil is not the flashiest fighter on this card, but he is well-rounded and defensively responsible everywhere. I expect him to stay measured on the feet, avoid the chaotic exchanges Brito wants, and make Brito work from uncomfortable positions.

The key for me is Fazil’s ability to nullify Brito’s grappling without overreacting. If he keeps this fight technical, I trust him to bank minutes and control the terms. Both fighters are very well-rounded, but Fazil is just a step ahead everywhere.

• DWCS Week 2 Pick #1: Namo Fazil ML (-190 at BetMGM)

Rodrigues vs Miller Best Bet

Douglas Rodrigues is the more explosive athlete and clearly the more dangerous striker in this matchup. His power is real, but the risk is also obvious because he can fight with his hands low and his chin high. Running through inferior competition on the regional scene can develop those bad habits.

Trent Miller’s path is wrestling pace, pressure and survival. He is not a natural knockout threat, but he can extend fights and make less-polished opponents work harder than they want. With Rodrigues used to his opponents folding as soon as he touches them, Miller can make his life miserable down the stretch if he survives the early onslaught.

The problem is that Miller was overwhelmed by a power puncher on DWCS last year, and this feels like another difficult assignment. Rodrigues may only need one clean connection to end it, while Miller’s wrestling-heavy approach can also create early finishing chances if Rodrigues fades or makes a mistake.

Rodrigues has seen three of his six wins end in under 1.5 rounds, while two of Miller’s three losses have also ended under 1.5. If ‘Blade’ gets it done, it will likely come early again. I prefer the fight total rather than laying a bigger moneyline price.

• DWCS Week 2 Pick #2: Rodrigues vs Miller Under 1.5 (-225 at BetMGM)

Paxton vs Perez Pick

Cristian Perez returns to DWCS after losing last year to Manoel Sousa in a fight he was winning. Fatigue got the best of him as he clearly struggled to keep up with Sousa’s physicality. That could become an issue against another strong and physical fighter in Logan Paxton.

However, I still see Perez as the more complete fighter in this matchup, especially because of how dangerous and layered his grappling can be.

Paxton wants clinches, takedowns and top position, but I do not expect Perez to simply concede those spots. Perez has the grappling skill to deny Paxton’s best work or make him pay for forcing entries. Paxton is not a bad kickboxer, but he is visibly more comfortable grappling than striking, and his wrestling entries are very subpar. Most of Paxton’s flimsy takedown attempts lead to unexciting clinch work against the fence.

Neither fighter will win many fights at this level on the feet, but Perez has more useful tools at range and in tight. His length, knees and elbows in the clinch give him answers where Paxton looks less confident and less layered. If this fight hits the mats, Perez’s ability to float on top and maintain dominant positions has been more effective than Paxton’s strength-based wrestling game.

• DWCS Week 2 Pick #3: Cristian Perez ML (-250 at BetMGM)

Aly vs Lorenz Prediction

Mahamed Aly and Alik Lorenz are both returning after knockout losses on DWCS last year, but Aly is clearly the much better prospect. He is bigger, more athletic and more dangerous in the moments that decide fights.

Aly was favored last year before getting caught by Iwo Baraniewski, a loss that is aging very well in hindsight. I am not treating that loss as a reason to downgrade Aly too far. The Brazilian is still an incredible athlete with a high-level grappling background and a promising striking base.

Lorenz is tough and willing to grind, but he does not bring one elite weapon that changes this matchup for me. Lorenz’s game plan revolves around pressure and cardio, and being in Aly’s face sounds like a dangerous game to play against someone with this much power and physicality.

Aly also has the grappling base to flip the fight if needed, with a former BJJ background and the ability to dominate on the mat. I see him as more talented everywhere. Lorenz does not have the same type of power as Baraniewski to catch Aly, and his footwork is not polished enough to keep up with his movement anywhere else.

• DWCS Week 2 Pick #4: Mahamed Aly ML (-325 at BetMGM)

Trembley vs Puga Best Bet

Taner Trembley and Roman Puga both look like polished prospects, and I would not be surprised if both eventually fit at the UFC level. This is competitive, but I slightly prefer Trembley’s cleaner fundamentals.

Trembley is not as strong a wrestler as his Division II profile might suggest, but Puga is a former boxer who is unlikely to clearly win the wrestling layer either. Puga can grapple, but not any better than Trembley, and that is not how he prefers to win fights. That makes movement, pressure and minute-winning exchanges more important.

On the feet, Trembley is always in the right position and doing everything by the book. Puga is equally as talented, but he can get too wild at times, causing him to lose position by creating openings for his opponents to capitalize on.

Puga tends to fight reactively, while Trembley is more willing to pressure and wear opponents down over time. In a close fight, I like the fighter who is a little crisper and more proactive.

• DWCS Week 2 Pick #5: Taner Trembley ML (+155 at BetMGM)