Dana White’s Contender Series returns this Tuesday, August 13, with familiar faces returning and new faces emerging, hoping to earn themselves a contract in MMA’s premier promotion.

Dana White’s Contender Series has become one of the UFC’s most popular products as it gives fans a chance to experience fighters’ careers from the beginning.

Week one is headlined by middleweights, Mansur Abdul-Malik and Wes Schultz as they look to set the tone for the series, however, it is the opening bout between Lone’er Kavanagh and An Tuan Ho that is capturing the majority of the attention.

Let’s take a look at the week one matchups, where we will provide our predictions.

UFC CEO Dana White announces the contract winners during Dana White's Contender Series season seven, week ten at UFC APEX on October 10, 2023 in La...

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

An Tuan Ho (6-0) vs Lone’er Kavanagh (5-0) – Flyweight bout

A mesmerizing matchup opens up the new season, and the UFC boss, Dana White, couldn’t have picked a better matchup to set the stage.

Lone’er Kavanagh is already a favorite amongst the hardcore MMA fanbase because of his extremely impressive tenure in Cage Warriors. But An Tuan Ho has been doing the exact same during his time with LFA.

This is one of the rare occasions where both fighters could end up being awarded a UFC contract, depending on how the fight goes down. Having said that, White and the UFC brass historically aren’t so keen on the 125lb division, and so these two will really need to impress.

The 23-year-old Vietnamese fighter, An Tuan Ho, trains out of the MMA Lab in Arizona, whereas Kavanagh will be representing Great British Top Team, head-coached by UFC veteran, Brad Pickett.

Both of these flyweights have the potential to hold a UFC title at some point in their careers, but An Tuan Ho seems to be the more well-rounded of the two at this stage in their careers.

Lone’er Kavanagh Fight Day!!!

In a Cage Warriors vs. LFA showdown, Lone’er Kavanagh faces fellow undefeated prospect An Tuan Ho for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. pic.twitter.com/wp8dCaczzd

— Violent Money TV (@ViolentMoneyTV) August 13, 2024

He is more likely to mix it up in this fight, whereas the 25-year-old Kavanagh will probably want to keep this fight on the feet for as long as possible.

Having said that, I think Kavanagh possesses the slightly better overall striking package, and I can see him just about edging in the fight, possibly winning himself a UFC contract in the process.

Prediction: Lone’er Kavanagh via decision

Jose Miguel Delgado (7-1) vs Ernie Juarez (8-0) – Featherweight bout

Another one of MMA Lab’s products, Jose Delgado meets the undefeated Ernie Juarez in the first featherweight bout of the season.

Although the ‘Young Titan’ Juarez holds the undefeated record, I suspect Delgado to cause him a bit of a problem in this matchup. This will be the 26-year-old’s fourth bout this year with his prior three having come in different promotions.

Delgado is the more comfortable striker in this featherweight fight and has all-around better striking than Juarez. If Juarez does decide to try and use his power and take the fight to the ground, Delgado will work for submissions and won’t just accept bottom position.

Though Juarez has of course never tasted defeat, I think Delgado has the keys to be the one to take his 0.

Prediction: Delgado via decision

Bruno Lopes (12-1) vs Mikheil Sazhiniani (13-2) – Light heavyweight bout

The Brazilian, Bruno Lopes, returns to the UFC Apex for a second bite at the cherry when he takes on the next Georgian hopeful of making it into the UFC, Mikheil Sazhiniani.

Lopes’ appearance on DWCS last season was an extremely disappointing one, as the 31-year-old got knocked out by Brendson Ribeiro in the first round.

Lopes went into that bout as a huge favorite, and it almost seemed like he was being teed up for a win and an eventual contract into the UFC. Although his performance was a flop, I don’t see him making the same mistake again this time around.

‘Brunao’ has undoubtedly faced tougher competition than Sazhiniani has and even went back to LFA and won the 205lb title. His striking should be too much for ‘Spartan’ in this one.

Prediction: Bruno Lopes via TKO

Meng Ding (34-8) vs Rami Hamed (12-3) – Welterweight bout

Something you very rarely see in DWCS is a fighter coming in with over 40 professional fights, but the 29-year-old, Meng Ding, comes in with an abundance of experience.

Rami Hamed was scheduled to fight in the last season of DWCS, but he had to withdraw because of a hand injury, meaning he hasn’t fought in almost two years.

I can’t help but favor Ding in this fight, not only because of his vast experience but because he is likely the cleaner striker of the two, even if it is ever so slightly.

Prediction: Meng Ding via decision

Mansur Abdul-Malik (5-0) vs Wes Schultz (6-1) – Middleweight bout

Season 8’s first main event comes in the middleweight division, as the extremely athletic wrestler, Mansur Abdul-Malik looks to maintain his undefeated record when he takes on Wes Schultz.

Schultz’s only professional loss comes against current UFC 185lber, Dylan Budka. ‘Party Time’ has faced by far the tougher opponent than what Abdul-Malik has, and has more experience at that higher level.

Despite that, I find it hard to look past the 26-year-old’s athleticism and power, and ability to get the fight to the ground. This fight will really show where Abdul-Malik is at in terms of current ability and potential, as Schultz could make it difficult for him.

Abdul-Malik has shown on previous occasions, his devastating ground-and-pound, and that’s how I see him getting it done this time around.

I believe the MMA Masters product will come out with a win and earn himself a spot on the middleweight roster.

Prediction: Mansur Abdul-Malik via TKO

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