Dana White Contender Series Week 2 Odds, Predictions and Picks

• Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 kicks off from the UFC Apex on Tuesday, August 19
• A featherweight clash featuring Jose Delano and Manuel Exposito headlines the card
• See all the Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 odds, predictions and picks below

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Dana White’s Contender Series returns for Week 2 on Tuesday, Aug. 19, looking to bounce back after a lackluster opening episode that saw just two contracts handed out. Dana wasn’t happy last week, so expect these fighters to bring the heat.

A featherweight showdown headlines the card, as Brazilian striker Jose Delano takes on submission specialist Manuel Exposito in what should be a chess match between contrasting styles. The action starts from the UFC Apex on Tuesday night at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN+.

Here are the best Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 predictions and picks.

Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 Odds

At +490 Manuel Exposito is the biggest underdog on the Dana White Contender Series card, while his opponent Jose Delano is the heaviest favorite at -675.

Odds as of August 19, 2025, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim a DraftKings promo code or browse other UFC betting apps.

Jose Delano vs Manuel Exposito Prediction

Jose Delano walks in as the card’s biggest favorite for good reason. The 15-3 Brazilian brings championship experience as a former LFA titleholder, with his only recent loss coming against current UFC fighter Gabriel Santos. Training at Brazilian Top Team has gotten him UFC-ready.

The southpaw striker bounces on his feet, creating angles for his big left hand while showing rock-solid takedown defense. He stuffed every shot from an undefeated Dagestani wrestler in his last fight. Delano’s finishing rate is legit, with nine of 15 wins ending early.

Manuel Exposito (13-2) is a BJJ black belt who throws wild hooks and hopes his grappling reputation keeps opponents honest. The problem is, his striking is sloppy. All looping punches with his hands dropping when he kicks. Those habits spell trouble against Delano’s straight counters.

Jose Delano and Manuel Exposito are ready to scrap in tomorrow nights Main Event 🔥 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/o7fpkSRSkQ

— Patrick Danna (@patdannamma) August 18, 2025

While Exposito has solid submissions, he needs the fight on the ground to win. Delano’s sprawl and footwork should keep this standing, where the skill gap is huge. Look for Delano to pick Exposito apart before finding the finish.

The moneyline is too expensive, but Delano by knockout at +110 is a smart bet.

• Pick: Jose Delano by KO/TKO (+110)

Ramiro Jimenez vs Tommy Cuozzi Pick

Ramiro Jimenez proved his toughness by winning three fights in one night at a tournament in December 2023. Knockout, submission, and decision all in about 24 hours. The 10-0 Mexican trains at The Goat Shed in Miami, home to several UFC grapplers, and has all the tools.

Tommy Cuozzi is also undefeated at 8-0, but there are red flags everywhere. He trains at a gym where his dad is the head coach, and he’s the only listed pro. Seven of his eight wins came on the same South Carolina regional show against questionable competition.

#DWCS Week 2 Weigh-In Results:

Tommy Cuozzi (145.5) pic.twitter.com/qDmwN4vtod

— Patrick Danna (@patdannamma) August 18, 2025

The jump in competition is huge here. Jimenez has faced and beaten better fighters, shown he can win different ways, and has the hunger that comes from fighting in tournaments. Cuozzi’s BJJ black belt might keep him alive on the ground, but Jimenez should control this fight everywhere.

At -520, the moneyline isn’t worth it, but Jimenez inside the distance has value for a fighter who rarely sees the judges.

• Pick: Ramiro Jimenez wins inside distance (-225)

Josh Hokit vs Guilherme Uriel Prediction

This heavyweight matchup should be explosive. Josh Hokit (5-0) is a former NFL player who knows how to fight. He is a two-time All-American wrestler from Fresno State who is currently training at Jackson Wink. Hokit shoots for takedowns in seconds and has yet to encounter anyone who can stop him.

Guilherme Uriel (6-1) weighed 20 pounds more than Hokit, and none of it looked like muscle. But don’t be fooled by the physique. He holds a BJJ black belt, has won a pro boxing match, and has serious power in his hands. His only loss occurred when he ran out of gas in the first round.

Huge KO by Guilherme Uriel to stop Hyago Silva in the first round. Nice setup to the right hand. Uriel moves to 6-1, all wins by first round stoppage #LFA201 pic.twitter.com/c1HPVJeFiY

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 7, 2025

That cardio issue is everything here. If Uriel can land something big early or use his BJJ to counter Hokit’s wrestling, he’s got a real shot. But if Hokit survives the first few minutes and gets on top, Uriel might tap from exhaustion alone.

The upset is live at +360. Uriel’s grappling could catch Hokit off guard since he’s still raw despite his wrestling background.

• Pick: Guilherme Uriel ML (+360)

Louis Lee Scott vs Kaushik Saikumar Odds & Pick

Louis Lee Scott (9-0) out of Manchester Top Team is one of the best prospects on this season. The 25-year-old Brit has been fighting since he was 15, racking up 16 amateur fights before turning pro. His southpaw kicks are nasty. He chops legs, rips the body, then goes high for the knockout.

The problem is, Scott missed weight, which might hurt his contract chances even with a dominant win. That means he needs to make a statement, and his opponent is perfect for it.

Louis Lee Scott misses weight – 137.5 pic.twitter.com/A9vj3ySH2g

— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) August 18, 2025

Kaushik Saikumar (5-0) trains with Ryan Hall at 50/50 MMA but hasn’t shown Hall’s level of grappling innovation. He’s calm on his feet but relies too much on single counter shots. In his last fight, he was losing badly until landing a Hail Mary knockout in round three.

Scott’s pace, power, and wrestling should beat Saikumar up. The Brit can push a brutal pace for three rounds or look for the finish if it’s there. Either way, this looks like a highlight reel for Scott.

The prop “Fight to Start Round 3: No” at +100 covers both an early Scott finish or a desperate Saikumar counter.

• Pick: Fight doesn’t start Round 3 (+100)

Brandon Holmes vs Cam Rowston Prediction

“The Battle Giraffe” Cam Rowston gets his second shot at DWCS after losing to Torrez Finney last year. The City Kickboxing product is really awkward. 6’3″ with a 78″ reach, throwing strikes from weird angles. He mixes in good wrestling too, with recent submission wins showing his ground game is getting better.

Brandon Holmes (5-0) is taking this on short notice and gives up six inches of reach. The undefeated prospect hits hard but needs to get inside to land, which plays right into Rowston’s takedown game. Holmes was winning his last fight until a late knockout, but he had multiple breaks when his opponent’s mouthguard kept falling out.

Rowston’s experience edge, and reach advantage should be the difference. He knows what Dana wants to see after failing once before. Holmes is tough, but taking a short-notice fight against a longer, more experienced opponent who can wrestle is asking for problems.

At plus money, Rowston is the play.

• Pick: Cam Rowston ML (+114)