Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series (DWTNCS) is back for its third season and we have a full breakdown of each fight plus predictions for the first episode.
Middleweight: Punahele Soriano vs. Jamie Pickett
Tale of the Tape
Punahele Soriano
26-years-old
6’0″
74.5″ Reach
Oahu, Hawaii
Xtreme Couture
5-0
Jamie Pickett
30-years-old
6’2″
80″ Reach
North Carolina
PCSP/Rose Hill Kickboxing Academy
9-3
Pros and Cons
Punahele Soriano
Pros
- Fast starter
- Solid ground-and-pound
- Big knockout power in both hands
- Explosive
- Good Chin
- Underrated wrestling
Cons
Can be reckless
Doesn’t mind getting hit
Jamie Pickett
Pros
- Good chain wrestling
- Active ground and pound
- Good top position
- Athletic
Con
Questionable cardio
Who has the Advantage?
Striking: Soriano
Speed: Soriano
Knockout Power: Soriano
Chin: Soriano
Kickboxing: Pickett
Footwork: Pickett
Wrestling: Soriano
Grappling: Pickett
Submissions: Soriano
Cardio: Pickett
Prediction
From the footage Pickett has, which isn’t much, he looks to be a well-rounded good prospect. He had an opportunity on season one of the Contender Series but came up short against now UFC fighter Charles Byrd. To his credit, he did take that fight on short notice so I don’t take much away from that loss. I will be taking Soriano though due to his insane power and explosiveness. I just haven’t seen enough of Pickett but he is easily the biggest test so far in the career of Soriano.
Next: Brok Weaver vs. Leon Shahbazyan
