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Week 5 of the Dana White Contender Series promises another can't-miss night, with three standout matchups that could shape the promotion’s next wave of UFC prospects.
After a month of highlight-reel finishes and breakout stars, Tuesday’s card offers a blend of styles destined to deliver.
For this week’s episode, we’ll take a look at our DWCS predictions and picks for these marquee matchups, including our PrizePicks MMA Lineup for Week 5 to win real money on tonight's fights.
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DWCS Week 5 Preview, Time, Fight Card
The DWCS Week 5 card will get started start at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, as they do every Tuesday.
First up is Shanelle Dyer vs. Carol Foro in the strawweight division, a matchup brimming with intrigue. Dyer is a technical striker who excels at distance control, while Foro is an aggressive kickboxer with constant forward pressure.
If Dyer succeeds in keeping this fight at range, she could outpoint Foro and earn a decision. But If Foro turns up the pressure, the knockout potential looms large
The featherweight showdown between Cam Teague vs. Lerryan Douglas might steal the show. Teague brings slick boxing and thrives in tight exchanges with high-volume punching, while Douglas leans on his fight-ending power, having notched four consecutive knockouts heading into this bout.
With both fighters known for their fast starts, this bout may hinge on who can maintain their pace over three rounds.
The main event between Anthony Guarascio and Steven Asplund has all the makings of a contract performance from either of these two. Guarascio’s aggression and knockout ability will be tested by Asplund’s relentless forward pressure and heavy hands.
Expect finishes, high intensity, and a new wave of UFC hopefuls making their case in tonight's DWCS Week 5 matchups.
Shanelle Dyer vs. Carol Foro Prediction, Preview
The strawweight bout between Shanelle Dyer (6-0) and Carol Foro (8-1) on DWCS Week 5 could very well deliver fireworks. Both are surging prospects in a classic striker-versus-striker matchup that will test tempo and composure.
Shanelle Dyer enters undefeated and riding a wave of momentum out of England’s fast-growing MMA scene. Known for her sharp kickboxing, Dyer thrives at range, where her long jab and powerful combinations set the tone early.
She carries knockout power rarely seen in her division and has a knack for landing clean counters in high-pressure exchanges.
Dyer’s defensive guard and elusive footwork allow her to punish opponents for overcommitting. Though primarily a striker, she’s demonstrated strong takedown defense and scrambling ability.
Meanwhile, Carol Foro comes in with experience against high-level competition. A volume-heavy Muay Thai stylist, Foro thrives when she can close distance and pressure with flurries of punches and brutal knees in the clinch. Her relentless pace and durability force opponents into uncomfortable exchanges, and the longer the fight drags on, the more Foro tends to take over.
She isn’t known for one-punch power, but her accumulation of strikes and ability to break opponents down systematically make her just as dangerous.
This fight pits Dyer’s clean power striking against Foro’s high-volume relentlessness. If Dyer can set the range and land crisp counters, she could produce the kind of statement finish that earns a UFC contract. But if Foro overwhelms her with pressure and draws her into the clinch, her pace could swing the momentum and tilt the judges’ scorecards.
Dyer vs. Foro Prediction: Dyer vs. Foro — 2.5 Total Rounds
- Shanelle Dyer has been to a decision in two out of her six fights
- Shanelle Dyer is coming off a split decision win against Valentina Scatizzi in her last fight
- Shanelle Dyer has never been finished her six-fight professional MMA career
- Carol Foro has been to a decision in two of her nine fights
- Carol Foro has last seen the judge’s scorecards in a split-decision loss against Beatriz Consuli in 2024
View more DWCS Week 5 projections on the PrizePicks MMA board.
Cam Teague vs. Lerryan Douglas Prediction, Preview
The featherweight showdown between Cam Teague (9-1) and Lerryan Douglas (12-5) on Week 5 of DWCS presents the most intriguing stylistic clashes this episode. Both fighters bring devastating finishing ability, but their paths to victory couldn't be more different.
Cam "Chaos" Teague enters as the younger, hungrier prospect looking to make the most of this second opportunity. The 27-year-old Alabama native brings an aggressive, fan-friendly style, resulting in six knockouts and two submissions across nine wins.
Training out of AMP Mixed Martial Arts under Mike Barnett, Teague has become a well-rounded finisher who thrives in chaotic exchanges. His striking combines crisp boxing with thudding kicks, while his grappling game features opportunistic submissions and excellent scrambling ability.
Lerryan "Gunslinger" Douglas represents the more experienced veteran seeking his UFC breakthrough. The 30-year-old Brazilian brings a violent kickboxing style that has produced six knockouts in his 12 professional victories.
Training under former UFC veteran Cub Swanson at Bloodline Combat Sports, Douglas is a patient but devastating striker who excels at finding a clean shot. His leg kicks are particularly vicious, while his knockout power is evident in his recent three-fight winning streak, including recent finishes of Nathan Ghareeb, Javier Reyes, and Elijah Johns.
This matchup hinges on Teague's ability to pressure Douglas and potentially exploit his wrestling weaknesses versus Douglas's patient striking and one-punch knockout power.
Teague's youth and cardio could prove crucial if he can drag Douglas into deeper waters, while Douglas's experience and finishing ability make him dangerous throughout the fight.
Both men possess the finishing instincts that Dana White loves to see, making this a must-watch bout with serious contract implications.
Teague vs. Douglas Prediction: Douglas — 38.5 Significant Strikes
- Lerryan Douglas has six wins by knockout
- Lerryan Douglas comes into this fight with four consecutive knockouts
- Cam Teague has been knocked out in his lone professional loss
- Cam Teague was outstruck on DWCS Season 8, 48-14, in just 2:33
View more DWCS Week 5 projections on the PrizePicks MMA board.
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Anthony Guarascio vs. Steven Asplund Prediction, Preview
The heavyweight clash between Anthony Guarascio (3-0) and Steven Asplund (5-1) on Week 5 of DWCS promises to deliver explosive action between two well-rounded finishers.
Anthony "The Daywalker" Guarascio brings an impressive 100% finishing rate to the APEX, with all three professional victories coming by way of stoppage. The 31-year-old heavyweight from Gracie Tampa West showcases diverse finishing ability, mixing knockout power with submission skills.
His most recent performance saw him demolish Bailey Schoenfelder with a first-round knockout punch to capture the Cage Fury Fighting Championship heavyweight title in April.
Steven "Concrete" Asplund presents an equally dangerous threat, entering with five wins in six professional outings and an 80% finishing rate. The 27-year-old Minnesota native stands 6'5" and has shown remarkable knockout power, with four of his five wins coming by way of TKO.
His most recent victories over Raiden Kovacs and Hammer Morton showcased his ability to break down opponents with heavy ground-and-pound, while his lone loss came via rear-naked choke to Denzel Freeman, indicating potential vulnerability on the mat.
This contest may turn on whether Guarascio’s all-around finishing skills can overcome Asplund’s devastating knockout power. If Guarascio can close the distance, land his strikes, and work his grappling, his proven finishing ability on the mat could be the difference.
However, Asplund's size advantage and devastating striking make him dangerous throughout the fight. With both fighters possessing legitimate finishing ability — and Dana White watching closely — a finish is almost inevitable when these heavyweights collide.
Guarascio vs. Asplund Prediction: 4.25 Minutes Fight Time
- Anthony Guarascio has finished all three opponents
- Anthony Guarascio has finished all three opponents in under two minutes
- Anthony Guarascio has never seen a round two in his professional career
- Steven Asplund has been to a decision once in his six-fight professional career
- Steven Asplund has two first-round finishes in his six fights
View more DWCS Week 5 projections on the PrizePicks MMA board.
Make DWCS Predictions on PrizePicks
The fifth week of the DWCS is set for this Tuesday, September 9, live on ESPN+. We have five matchups with some of the top MMA prospects fighting outside of the UFC who are looking to secure their contracts.
You can win real money by locking in your DWCS predictions on PrizePicks.
Just go to the PrizePicks MMA board, pick two or more fighter projections, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point in Tuesday night's fights.
