This year’s season of Dana White’s Contender Series continues into week six tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas as another group of talented fighters look to impress the boss and earn a contract. I went over each matchup to give my predictions and bets, so let’s get into it.
Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 9/16/2025
Bantamweights square off to end the night in our main event. Hecher Sosa comes in on a five-fight finish streak as a result of his high-paced style that highlights his clinch striking ability. Mackson Lee is a huge fighter for this division who has finished all eight of his pro fights with deadly striking and a nice top game on the ground.
I’ll go with Lee here, as I see his size giving Sosa trouble getting inside to use his striking. Although I quite like both of these fighters, I believe we could see them both in the UFC someday.
Prediction: Lee by 2nd Round TKO
Clash of undefeated and inexperienced Light Heavyweights here. Iwo Baraniewski is a fast finisher who has ended all five of his professional wins inside the first round with a mix of knockouts and submissions, along with a lengthy amateur career. Mahamed Aly is a credentialed grappler who has transitioned to MMA and showed a well-rounded attack, knocking out three of his four opponents before winning a decision against UFC alumni Jared Gooden.
I’m picking Aly to get another finish here as he has been tested more in his fights, faced UFC-level opposition, and has a dangerous grappling background.
Prediction: Aly by 2nd Round Submission
Undefeated Lightweights square off here, seeing who’s zero will go. Tommy Gantt is a finisher with an undefeated record, where he has used his strong wrestling to grind down and dominate his opponents, although he hasn’t faced any high-level opposition. Adam Livingston is a very aggressive striker who puts together strong combinations, having also shown solid takedown defence and holding experience in LFA.
I like Livingston here as he is the much more active and dangerous striker who has faced more legitimate opposition and has good enough grappling defense to keep this at his range.
Prediction: Livingston by 2nd Round TKO
Fun matchup here at Middleweight. In Soo Hwang is a fast striker with a hands-down style who has not fought much competition and has a five-second knockout loss on his record. Paddy McCorry comes in from Cage Warriors, having also competed on season thirty-two of the Ultimate Fighter, showing good finishing skills with a choke in his first TUF fight and several knockouts in CW.
I’m confident McCorry will find a finish here, as he has tested himself against much tougher competition and shown that he has the skills to finish off solid opposition. Meanwhile, I have serious questions about what level Hwang is at.
Prediction: McCorry by 1st Round KO Bet: McCorry Inside The Distance
Bantamweights with solid experience square off here to kick off the card. Cody Chovancek is a well-rounded fighter with solid boxing combinations and good submission skills, having also won several five-round fights. Raphael Uchegbu is a finisher who is big for the weight class and uses that size well both at range and to secure positioning on the ground.
I lean Chovancek here as he has the striking to stay competitive there and is more likely to get top time on the ground, which could win him a decision.
Prediction: Chovancek by Decision