Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 3 arrives on Tuesday, August 27 with a couple of returning fighters and the usual ten UFC hopefuls. Among those returning for a second look on DWCS is Bogdan Grad, who faces Michael Aswell in a featherweight fight. How does this latest installment of the popular summer series shape up? We’ll break down each fight so you don’t have to!
Middleweight, Andrey Pulyaev (8-2) vs. Liam Anderson (6-2)
Notable Notes
- This will be the first time for Pulyaev fighting out of Russia.
- Anderson has a 100% finish rate.
- Pulyaev has a negative 3-5 amateur record.
- Anderson went 8-0 as an amateur.
- Pulyaev has six first-round finishes.
- Both are riding four-fight win streaks.
Andrey Pulyaev
Pros
- Good liver kick
Cons
- Hands low
- Poor cardio
- TDD needs word
- Throws naked kicks
- Chin high
- Gives up his back
- Doesn’t like pressure
Liam Anderson
Pros
- Good elbows
- Submission threat
- Good elbows
- Credible grappling
Cons
- No head movement
- TDD needs work
- Plodding footwork/Stands tall
- Rushes in exposed
Prediction: It’s a shame that out of all the Russian fighters the matchmakers could get for DWCS it’s Pulyaev. He is riding a win streak but every time he’s had a step up in competition he’s lost. Even Anderson is disappointing. He’s coming off a head kick knockout and I’d imagine that’s why he got this opportunity. If the matchmakers actually looked into these guys I don’t think this fight would be happening.
Neither guy is likely to make it in the UFC because both are too flawed and do not have enough upside. With Pulyaev all I can say is he has a good liver kick. Even saying that, he throws naked kicks and doesn’t set anything up. You mix that in with poor cardio and striking defense and that’s a recipe to get slept. Anderson is coming off a knockout but he’s particularly a grappler. As long as Anderson protects his body he should take this. He’s the more physical fighter, has more tools, and has more ways to win. I got Anderson by second-round submission and I’m 40% confident.
