DWCS – Season 9, Week 5: Steven Asplund vs Anthony Guarascio Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The featured bout of this week’s Dana White’s Contender Series promises fireworks in the heavyweight division as Steven Asplund takes on fellow American Anthony Guarascio.
Steven Asplund vs Anthony Guarascio facts
What time are Steven Asplund and Anthony Guarascio expected to walk out?
Where is DWCS – Season 9, Week 5 taking place? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
What TV channel is DWCS – Season 9, Week 5 on? UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream DWCS – Season 9, Week 5? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
DWCS – Season 9, Week 5 card
Steven Asplund vs Anthony Guarascio (Heavyweight)
Lerryan Douglas vs Cameron Teague (Featherweight)
Freddy Vidal vs Felipe Franco (Light Heavyweight)
Chasen Blair vs Samuel Sanches (Lightweight)
Shanelle Dyer vs Caroline Foro (Women’s Flyweight)
Steven Asplund: From 500lbs to UFC hopeful
Steven Asplund (5-1) enters the cage with four wins under the respected LFA banner. Standing 6’5” with a 78-inch reach, the 27-year-old has one of the more unique backstories in the division — once weighing over 500lbs before discovering MMA and transforming his life.
Asplund has solid cardio for a heavyweight and wears opponents down as the fight draws out. Though not known for one-shot knockouts, his steady pace and jabs have led to multiple TKO wins. However, his tendency to leave his chin exposed could be a problem against big hitters. His lone career loss came via submission, highlighting potential gaps in his takedown defence and grappling.
Anthony Guarascio: Brawler trying to end thing early
In his last fight Anthony Guarascio (3-0) shocked many as an underdog with his first-round KO of Bailey Schoenfelder — a promising fighter who had appeared in last season’s contender series. Guarascio, now 31, has shown a willingness to stand and bang from the opening bell and carries serious knockout intent.
Though only three pro fights deep, Guarascio has been in the game longer than his record suggests, having competed as an amateur in 2012. All of his pro wins have come in the first round, including one submission, but he’s best described as a pure brawler who wants nothing to do with grappling.
Steven Asplund vs Anthony Guarascio prediction
Expect chaos early. Guarascio’s style is no secret — he comes forward swinging and looks to end things within the first 90 seconds. If he connects clean on Asplund’s high chin, it could be lights out.
That said, if Asplund survives the early storm, his superior cardio and work rate could begin to turn the tide. But based on Guarascio’s explosive starts and Asplund’s defensive holes, this has all the makings of another quick finish for the shorter man.
Prediction: Anthony Guarascio to win by KO/TKO in Round 1
