Dana White’s Contender Series: Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Donavon Hedrick throws down with Luis Felipe Dias in a middleweight bout with high stakes and a UFC contract on the line.
Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias facts
What time are Donavon Hedrick and Luis Felipe Dias expected to walk out?
Where is DWCS – Season 9, Week 9 taking place? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
What TV channel is DWCS – Season 9, Week 9 on? UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream DWCS – Season 9, Week 9? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
DWCS – Season 9, Week 9 card
Magomed Zaynukov vs Lucas Caldas (Lightweight)
Adrian Luna Martinetti vs Mark Vologdin (Bantamweight)
Rafael Pergentino vs Luke Hernandez (Light Heavyweight)
Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias (Middleweight)
Imanol Rodriguez vs Roque Conceicao Moreira Jr. (Flyweight)
Donavon Hedrick: Will the American prospect prevail in the biggest fight of his young career?
Arriving on the Contender Series looking to maintain his 100% finishing rate, Donavon Hedrick (6-0) has been perfect in his professional career to date. The American looks to have some murderous power in his hands, scoring a number brutal stoppages on the regional circuit to underline this state of affairs. However, his strength of schedule has to be highlighted in advance of the biggest fight of his career; Hedrick has largely fought cans, with only two of his wins coming over opponents with winning records.
Luis Felipe Dias: Dias aims to leverage his edge in experience to earn a UFC contract
With just a single win by decision in fifteen professional victories, Luis Felipe Dias (15-5) is clearly not a fan of the judges' scorecards. The Brazilian finisher has won multiple titles on the regional scene and enters this contest off the back of a first round submission victory. Dias looks to be a well-rounded competitor who is capable of finishing the fight where ever it takes place, although he has also proven susceptible to going out on his shield in the process. He enters this fight off a lay-off of more than two years.
Donavon Hedrick vs Luis Felipe Dias prediction
On paper, Dias' experience and strength of schedule should make him the clear favorite here. However, he's fighting a younger, larger power puncher, has been on the shelf for more than two years, and is also only one fight removed from a two fight losing streak that also saw him KO'd by a massive underdog.
As such, it's easy to envision a reality where the younger, larger Hedrick just blitzes Dias and nukes him with something murderous in the early goings. The American looks to be raw in terms of his overall skillset development, but he's also proven to be a bona fide finisher who hits extremely hard.
With that being said, Hedrick's strength of schedule also has to be taken into account. He's looked great in all of his fights to date, but it's easy to look great when you're fighting complete journeymen. The American has wins over opponents with records like 1-10, 0-7, and 1-4, hardly the type of wins that render him a fail-proof pick.
However, we're still picking him here. Even if one is to discount how long Dias has been out of action, he is only has produced one win since losing by brutal KO, and that victory came over a fighter with a 2-0 record. Hedrick lands a bomb in the early goings to secure a UFC contract.
Prediction: Donavon Hedrick to win
