DWCS 2022 Week 9 Breakdown and Predictions

By
Shawn Bitter
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Raul Rosas Jr. and Mando Gutierrez, Dana White's Contender Series 55 weigh-in
Raul Rosas Jr. and Mando Gutierrez, Dana White's Contender Series 55 weigh-in Credit: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press

Week nine of Dana White’s Contender Series Season Six features a bundle of interesting storylines, from an appearance by 17-year old Raul Rosas Jr. to the return of Austen Lane, the first DWCS opponent of Greg Hardy.

In the featured fight of the evening, undefeated Brazilian middleweight Bruno Ferreira was paired up with Italy’s Leon Aliu. Both men were proven finishers, resulting in the fight screaming fireworks.

We’ve got our picks and preview ready — read on!

Leon Aliu and Brunno Ferreira, Dana White’s Contender Series 55 weigh-in Credit: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press

Middleweight: Leon Aliu Vs. Bruno Ferreira

Tale of the tape

Leon Aliu
33-years-old
6’0″
Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy
Shot Team Academy
10-1
6 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 46-35-2
Bruno Ferreira
29-years-old
5’10”
Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Evolucao Thai MMA
8-0
5 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 61-33

Pros and Cons

Leon Aliu

Pros

  • Dangerous guillotine
  • Heavy ground and pound
  • Power kicks
  • Knockout power
  • Good ground and pound
  • Knockout power

Cons

  • Hands low
  • Swings wide

Bruno FerreiraPros

  • Good footwork
  • Strong wrestling
  • Heavy ground and pound
  • Explosive
  • Good BJJ
  • Submission threat
  • Good off his back
  • Physically strong
  • Heavy hands
  • Athletic

Cons

  • Loose in positions
  • Questionable cardio

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Even
Speed: Ferreira
Output/Volume: Ferreira
Kickboxing: Ferreira
Striking defense: Ferreira
Footwork/movement: Ferreira
Wrestling: Ferreira
Grappling: Ferreira
More likely to finish on the mat: Ferreira
Gas tank: Aliu

Prediction: Footage isn’t great on both of these fighters, but both seem to fit the bill for the show. Between the pair they have a 100% finish rate and fourteen first-round finishes.

Both seem fine no matter if the fight is standing or on the mat. I do slightly favor Ferreira with the tape I watched. While Aliu has some clubbing power his technique is a little sloppy. Ferreira isn’t any technician but his punches are straighter and cleaner.

Ferreira is a judo and jiu-jitsu black belt so I’m thinking he has a better ground game too. Aliu can’t be slept on with his guillotine but in jiu-jitsu as a whole I favor Ferreira.

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