DWCS 2025: Episode 2 Breakdown and Predictions

DWCS 2025 got off to an interesting start last week, with two contracts awarded – and Baisangur Susurkaev making a four-day turnaround to beat Eric Nolan at UFC 319, making his promotional debut on just four day’s notice.

Do not expect another crazy turnaround like that any time soon. But Susurkaev, who trains alongside Khamzat Chimaev, has certainly set a high bar for this latest Contender Series season. Week 2 features several undefeated talents and other hot prospects – here’s a look.

Featherweight, Jose Delano (15-3) Vs. Manuel Exposito (13-2)

Notable notes

• Exposito has won via KO/TKO, Submission, and Decision
• Exposito has won in rounds one, two, and three
• Exposito is 0-2 in the US
• Delano is 6-1 in the LFA cage
• Delano has won via KO/TKO, Submission, and Decision, but losses by all three as well
• Delano’s only loss in ten years is to UFC fighter Gabriel Santos

Jose Delano

Delano is a high-level fighter who would likely already be in the UFC if not for his struggles with making weight. His loss to Gabriel Santos was almost a blueprint for how to beat him; Santos effectively neutralized Delano’s movement with leg kicks and consistently beat him to the punch.

Delano’s game is built around his footwork. His cage craft and lateral movement are top-tier, especially his ability to glide side to side. Even when he’s pressuring, he’s not blindly following. He mirrors his opponent, maintaining angles and staying active. While he’s not the fastest striker, he compensates with surgical accuracy and a wide variety of strikes. At range, he makes life difficult with a sharp jab and punishing lead leg kicks. Off his back foot, he’s a dangerous counter striker who can flip the momentum in a heartbeat.

His takedown defense has come a long way, showing clear improvements over time. He sprawls with excellent timing and makes smart use of underhooks in the clinch. Speaking of the clinch, Delano is a real problem there— vicious with knees and especially nasty with elbows.

Delano has all the tools to succeed at the UFC level. I’m not going to call him a future champion (that’s always impossible to predict) but I do see him cracking the top 15 at featherweight down the line.

Manuel Exposito

Exposito dropped two straight fights less than two years ago, and while he’s bounced back with three wins, the level of competition has been low. Those losses revealed some major red flags. When faced with real adversity, he tends to wilt. If he can’t get the takedown, he becomes a liability on the feet, lacking head movement, with poor hand placement, and flawed footwork.

While he does have some grappling ability, he’s more of a scrambler than a dominant wrestler. His wrestling and top control don’t really complement his overall style. Technically, Exposito is just too limited to break through even at the higher regional level. He lacks striking fundamentals, has virtually no striking defense, struggles with cardio, and doesn’t offer reliable takedown defense. Outside of being a guillotine threat, his ground game doesn’t offer much either.

Prediction: I fully expect Delano to look every bit like a -600 favorite. For Exposito to have any chance, he’ll need to either drag this fight to the mat or capitalize on a rare mistake, most likely looking to snatch a guillotine. The problem is, Delano’s takedown defense is exceptional, and Exposito has shown a tendency to mentally unravel when things don’t go his way.

The striking gap here is massive. Delano’s jab and leg kicks are going to pile up early and create the kind of damage that quickly breaks Exposito down. I’m extremely confident in Delano to get the finish. I’m calling a first-round TKO.