The penultimate episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 5 is upon us. Through eight weeks, 28 UFC contracts have been awarded. With two episodes to go, hitting the record 37 deals handed out last season might be a stretch — but there were some very good fights still in store for the final two outings of DWCS this season.
If there was a theme to week nine, it would be international flavor. Fighters from China, Brazil, Israel, Afghanistan, and more were set for action this Tuesday, with the biggest stage in MMA awaiting those who stood out.
The world’s toughest job interview continues — here’s a look at Week 9 of this year’s Contender Series!
Middleweight: Jansey Silva Vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev
Tale of the Tape
26-years-old
6’2″
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tata Fight Team
7-1
5 KO/TKOs
28-years-old
6’1″
Mytishchi, Russia
Golden Team
12-0
Six first-round finishes
Pros and Cons
Jansey Silva
Pros
- Excellent jab
- Good wrestling
- Transitions well
- Dangerous head kick
- Good in the clinch
- Good knees
- Strikes long well
Cons
- Gets walked down
- Slows as the fight goes
- Poor top control
- Vulnerable in exchanges
Gadzhi Omargadzhiev
Pros
- Excellent ground and pound
- Excellent wrestling
- Strikes to wrestle perfectly
- Good positional grappling
- Good output
- Blends together kicks and punches
- Beautiful takedown entrances
- Good jiu-jitsu
- Heavy top control
- Solid gas tank
Cons
- N/A
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Omargadzhiev
Speed: Silva
Output/Volume: Omargadzhiev
Knockout Power: Silva
Chin: Omargadzhiev
Kickboxing: Even
Footwork: Even
Wrestling: Omargadzhiev
Grappling: Omargadzhiev
Submissions: Omargadzhiev
Cardio: Omargadzhiev
Prediction
I really like Omargadzhiev and think he’s one of the best prospects on this season of the Contender Series. He does so many things well and has no visible weakness. His wrestling is his best weapon and it’s high-level, as is his overall ground game. He doesn’t tend to strike often but when he does his hands are impressive. The way he mixes it up and strikes to wrestle is top-notch.
I think Silva is good but he’s got a difficult task in this one. Silva is a good striker but even there Omargadzhiev is better and when it comes to wrestling, grappling, and gas tank it’s all Omargadzhiev. I really think Omargadzhiev is levels above so the money line bet is the way to go if betting this one.
