Dana White’s Contender Series 80: Jack Congdon vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani Preview & Prediction
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Welterweights face off in the main event of this week's Contender Series, with Jack Congdon looking to upset the odds against Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani.
Jack Congdon vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani facts
What time are Jack Congdon and Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani expected to walk out?
Where is Dana White’s Contender Series 80? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
What TV channel is Dana White’s Contender Series 80 on? UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream Dana White’s Contender Series 80? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
Dana White’s Contender Series 80 card
Jack Congdon vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (Welterweight)
Cezary Oleksiejczuk vs Theo Haig (Middleweight)
Samuel Silva vs Mandel Nallo (Lightweight)
Eduardo Henrique vs An Tuan Ho (Flyweight)
David Mgoyan vs Tommy McMillen (Featherweight)
Jack Congdon: Can the biggest underdog on this week's card play spoiler in the main event?
Entering the cage with a 100% finish rate in tow, Jack Congdon (7-1) has yet to see the scorecards in his professional career. A powerful striker who blitzes his opponents with furious flurries the instant he smells blood, the Massachusetts native enters the main event spot of this week's Contender Series off the back of a three fight win streak. However, while the American is undoubtedly a lethal finisher, he has fought fairly mediocre competition throughout his career; Congdon's best win is arguably his victory over the 10-6 Ali Zebian in January.
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani: The submission specialist looks to score his fourth consecutive win and a UFC contract
With just a single win by decision in eight professional fights, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (8-2) has proved to be must see MMA throughout his regional career. The 26 year old American has earned six first round stoppages along the way, highlighting the danger that he poses in sharp relief. A precocious grappler, "Mufasa" likes to mix it up on the ground, scoring a diverse array of different submissions to showcase his deep tool bag. He's also fought stiff levels of competition throughout his career; Lebosnayani was facing off with the then 7-1 UFC veteran Spike Carlyle in just his third professional fight.
Jack Congdon vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani prediction
On paper, this looks Lebosnoyani's fight to lose. The 26 year old "Mufasa" hasn't exactly fought the cream of the crop throughout his career to date, but his strength of schedule arguably makes his opponent's resume look like a bunch of cans.
Congdon has only fought competition with winning records three times in eight professional fights, taking on the likes of Paul Teague (1-13), Sam Watford (4-8), and Jay Ellis (16-116) along the way. He's bowed out to late pressure on the only occasion that he's ever fought someone close to Lebosnoyani's experience and pedigree, losing by rear-naked choke in the third round against Jonathan Piersman, a fighter who also coincidentally possessed a record of 8-2 at the time.
Congdon is still clearly a dangerous finisher and starts his fights at a breakneck pace. It isn't inconceivable that he blasts Lebosnoyani with something vicious in the early goings, particularly considering that "Mufasa" has been stopped with strikes in both of his career losses. However, given the vast difference between the two fighters' strength of schedule, it would unwise to count on this occurring, a state of affairs reflected by the current odds.
At the end of the day, Congdon has yet to prove that he can beat somebody of Lebosnoyani's quality. Throw in the fact that "Mufasa" is a submission specialist along with Congdon's sole defeat by rear-naked choke, and it's easy to see where this one is likely going.
Prediction: Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani to win by submission
