DWCS 2020 Week 9 Breakdown and Predictions

It’s back to five fights, and back to Tuesday night for DWCS this week. And of course our breakdown and predictions are back as well. A last-minute shake-up to the Dana White’s Contender Series 2020 Week 9 card sees the undefeated Natan Levy step in for Landon Quiñones. Israel’s Levy will be facing Shaheen Santana, while Canadian Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz will look to follow in the footsteps of T.J. Laramie, who won a UFC contract earlier this year.

There’s three more great fights on top of that. Now on with the show!

Middleweight: Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz vs. Mário Sousa

Tale of the Tape

Pros and Cons

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Ksiazkiewicz
Speed: Sousa
Output/Volume: Sousa
Knockout Power: Ksiazkiewicz
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Sousa
Footwork: Ksiazkiewicz
Wrestling: Ksiazkiewicz
Grappling: Ksiazkiewicz
Submissions: Ksiazkiewicz
Cardio: Ksiazkiewicz

Prediction

There isn’t a lot of footage out there on Canada’s Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz. With that said, the footage that exists of Mario Sousa shows that he has a number of holes to fill.

Where Ksiazkiewicz should be able to find success with his wrestling and grappling. Sousa has been taken down easily by lesser fighters and even though he is dangerous off his back, his BJJ doesn’t rate that high. On the other hand, the jiu-jitsu of Ksiazkiewicz (who has his black belt) comes with stronger control and finishing ability. Sousa is a threat with how aggressive he starts fights, and he likely has the speed advantage. Still, my slightly less than confident pick has me siding with the bigger and stronger Ksiazkiewicz.

Be sure to check out our full interview with Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz ahead of DWCS 2020 Week 9 as well!