Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series arrives on Tuesday following what amounts to a dead weekend for MMA, with no major show held. Among the UFC hopes on DWCS Episode 7 are unbeaten heavyweights Bailey Schoenfelder and Danylo Voievodkin. Schoenfelder is a CFFC heavyweight champ, and Cage Fury has been one of the more consistent avenues into the UFC. Plus, the promotion always needs big men, so a finish here could mean a contract is all but assured.
Undefeated light heavyweight Francesco Mazzeo is on his third opponent for DWCS, and hopefully this one sticks. The Cage Warriors alum has just four pro fights, but he’s won all four, and 205 is another division in need of fresh blood.
Heavyweight, Bailey Schoenfelder (5-0) vs. Danylo Voievodkin (6-0)
Notable Notes
- Schoenfelder is the current CFFC heavyweight champion.
- Schoenfelder is 2-0 under the Bellator banner.
- Voievodkin has never fought past three minutes.
- The best win Voievodkin has is against a 12-53 opponent.
- Schoenfelder has a win over DWCS alum Greg Velasco
- Both have finished all their fights; combined nine wins by KO/TKO and two wins by submission.
Bailey Schoenfelder
Pros
- Physically strong
- Good elbows
- Excellent takedown defense
- Heavy ground and pound
- Good straight punches
- Well-conditioned
- Submission threat
Cons
- Head movement needs work
- Hands get sloppy at times
Danylo Voievodkin
Pros
- A lot of volume
- Good knees
- Fast starter
- Good kicks
Cons
- N/A
Prediction: Voievodkin is impossible to get a good read on because of what’s available in terms of footage— it’s all quick fights. Not only quick fights but he’s fighting bottom-of-the-barrel “fighters.” It seems that he’s absolutely getting brought into this fight to put Schoenfelder over.
I like Schoenfelder a lot. He needs work but has real potential. Early on it was noticable that his striking was sloppy. When he would throw more than one punch his hands would get sloppy. Lately, in the brief striking exchanges, his hands look much better. I also like that he throws a good jab and can land his elbows and knees in the clinch.
What he does best is get the takedown and smash with heavy ground and pound. That’s his path to victory in this fight. With so much unknown about Voievodkin he may surprise us. Schoenfelder is proven though with a win over Greg Velasco. I have Schoenfelder by TKO in round one and I’m 99% confident.
