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DWCS Week 9 brings high-stakes auditions with three marquee matchups that could reshape the UFC’s prospect pipeline overnight. Expect urgency, finishing instincts, and career-making performances as contenders chase contracts under the Tuesday-night spotlight.
In the flyweight clash, Imanol Rodriguez pairs crisp boxing combinations with steady footwork and opportunistic level changes to disrupt opponents' rhythm. Roque Junior fires heavy counters and calf kicks, but his pocket exchanges could invite takedown entries, and momentum-shifting clinch control.
Positioned as the lead-up to the featured bout, Adrian Luna Martinetti brings high pace, layered feints, and a scrambling trigger that punishes overextensions. Mark Vologdin answers with pressure, stiff jab entries, and clinch mat-returns designed to bank on control time and out-volume his opponent.
The featured lightweight bout pits Lucas Caldas’ rangy kickboxing and intercepting knees against Magomed Zaynukov’s suffocating technical striking, paired with chain wrestling. Distance management will be pivotal because Caldas chews up entries with teeps and counters, while Zaynukov forces opponents into power exchanges along the fence, leading to mat returns.
Expect drama, highlight moments, and multiple contracts as Week 9 truly showcases who can win the key minutes when pressure and opportunity collide.
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 9.
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Lucas Caldas vs. Magomed Zaynukov Prediction, Preview
The lightweight clash between Lucas Caldas (6-1) and Magomed Zaynukov (7-0) headlines DWCS Week 9 in what could be one of the most explosive featured bouts of the season. Both men come in with dominant regional runs, making this a true test to see who’s ready for the jump to the UFC.
Lucas Caldas has built his reputation on ferocity and finishing ability, with all six of his wins coming via KO/TKO. The Brazilian utilizes a powerful Muay Thai base, mixing tight combinations, heavy leg kicks, and a clinch game that punishes opponents with knees and elbows.
Caldas’ forward pressure often forces his foes into mistakes, where he capitalizes with precision striking or opportunistic submissions. He thrives in chaos, pushing a pace that breaks opponents and exposes holes in their defense over time.
Magomed Zaynukov, however, represents a stark contrast in style with his patient, technical approach rooted in Muay Thai and combat sambo. The undefeated Russian prospect boasts crisp combinations and impressive power under pressure.
What makes Zaynukov dangerous is his ability to turn defensive exchanges into offensive opportunities. He uses his counters off missed strikes to crack foes before sitting them down.
This matchup pits Caldas’ aggression and knockout instincts against Zaynukov’s technical mastery. The result will likely hinge on whether Caldas can keep the fight at distance — or if Zaynukov's pace and pressure can get him within range to land his strikes to notch his sixth KO victory in eight professional bouts.
Caldas vs. Zaynukov Prediction: Magomed Zaynukov 32.5 Significant Strikes
- Zaynukov has been to a decision in back-to-back fights coming into his DWCS debut.
- The Dagestani prospect is a two-time Muay Thai world champion.
- Caldas has never been knocked out in his seven-fight professional MMA career.
- Much like Zaynukov, Caldas was a professional kickboxer before transitioning to MMA.
Adrian Luna Martinetti vs. Mark Vologdin Prediction, Preview
The bantamweight matchup between Adrian Luna Martinetti (16-1) and Mark Vologdin (12-3-1) on DWCS Week 9 could easily steal the show. Both fighters bring elite-level experience and polished skill sets that make this one of the most technical bouts of the season.
Adrian Luna Martinetti enters as one of South America’s top bantamweight prospects, boasting a 14-fight win streak built on relentless pressure and cardio-heavy warfare. The Ecuadorian thrives in forward motion, overwhelming opponents with volume striking and constant combinations that rarely allow space to breathe.
What makes Martinetti dangerous is his ability to blend striking and grappling, making him a formidable opponent. He chains takedowns well off his striking, transitions smoothly on the mat, and can finish fights with both submissions and ground-and-pound.
Mark Vologdin, meanwhile, represents the calm within the storm — a composed technician from Russia with sharp counters and a measured approach. Vologdin’s striking is rooted in precision, using angles and feints to draw reactions before unloading powerful right hands and calculated body work.
His experience across multiple regional promotions has molded him into a fighter who thrives in long, grinding contests. On the ground, Vologdin defends well and prefers to create scrambles to return to his feet, where his crisp boxing shines.
This matchup comes down to tempo and composure. If Martinetti can maintain his trademark pace, he could break Vologdin down over time — but if Vologdin times his counters early and controls range, he might hand Martinetti his first loss in eight years.
Martinetti vs. Vologdin Prediction: 47.5 Significant Strikes (47.5)
- Martinetti has 10 finishes (4 KO/TKO/6 SUB) in his 17-fight MMA career.
- The Academia Team Predator fighter has been to a decision in seven of his 17 professional fights.
- Vologdin has won 10 of his 12 professional fights by finish (6 KO/TKO/4 SUB).
- The Allstars Training Center prospect has been to a decision in four of his 16 fights.
- Neither fighter has been finished via knockout.
Imanol Rodriguez vs. Roque Junior Preview, Prediction
The flyweight showdown between Imanol Rodriguez (5-0) and Roque Junior (10-2) continues DWCS Week 9 with a matchup that perfectly blends speed, power, and high fight IQ. Both men enter with strong resumes and dynamic skill sets, making this a must-watch bout for fans of the fast-paced flyweight division.
Rodriguez has emerged as one of Mexico’s top flyweight prospects, showcasing crisp boxing, excellent distance management, and laser-sharp counterstriking. He thrives on precision and composure, often baiting opponents into exchanges before landing clean, fight-changing blows.
The Mexican standout is explosive, aggressive, and unafraid to engage in wild scrambles or trading punches in close quarters. When fights hit the mat, he’s patient but opportunistic, with solid grappling fundamentals and positional control when needed.
However, the Brazilian's defensive awareness is just as impressive, as he rarely absorbs unnecessary damage and uses slick footwork to pivot out of danger. His background in Muay Thai provides him with a devastating arsenal of kicks and knees that can quickly alter the momentum of a round.
This fight is a true battle of discipline versus volatility. If Junior can maintain range and pick his shots, his clean technique may outclass Rodriguez — but if Rodriguez forces wild exchanges, his power and intensity could overwhelm the surging Brazilian prospect.
Rodriguez vs. Junior Prediction: 10 Minutes Fight Time
- Rodriguez has finished all five of his opponents (4 KO/TKO/1 SUB).
- “Himan” has never seen a third round in his professional MMA career.
- Junior has finishes in nine of his 10 wins (7 KO/TKO/ 2 SUB).
- The Revira Black Team prospect has only been to a third round three times in his professional career.
Make DWCS Predictions on PrizePicks
DWCS Week 9 is set for this Tuesday, October 7, live on ESPN+. We have five matchups with some of the top MMA prospects — including Caldas vs. Zaynukov, Martinetti vs. Vologdin, and Rodriguez vs. Junior — 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 UFC fighter projections, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point in Tuesday night's fights.
