Dana White's Contender Series: Week 2 Predictions, Picks and Betting Odds August 19

Dana White’s Contender Series Betting Preview

UFC WagerTalk handicapper Andy Lang gives his Week 2 Dana White’s Contender Series picks and predictions for August 19, 2025 with the main event headlined by Manuel Exposito vs Jose Delano in a middleweight fight. The main card starts up at 8:00pm ET from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV.

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Manuel Exposito vs Jose Delano: Dana White’s Contender Series Main Event

Tuesday, August 19	Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 (Courtesy of Caesars)
Moneyline:	Manuel Exposito +325 vs Jose Delano -500
Rounds:	N/A
Fight Time:	Main Card Starts at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT
Arena:	UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV
TV:	ESPN+

Dana White’s Contender Series Week 1 Predictions

Brandon Holmes -150 vs Cam Rowston +125

This matchup comes down to Holmes’ sharper striking against Rowston’s ground game. Holmes is the much crisper striker, while Rowston is slower on the feet but has solid control once he gets fights to the mat.

Rowston lost his previous Contender Series appearance, but he trains out of strong gyms and promotions, and he knows he can’t afford to be boring in front of Dana White.

If he gets the fight to the ground, he’ll likely hunt for finishes, but if it stays standing, Holmes has the clear edge.

The slight advantage goes to Holmes overall, but Rowston’s grinding style and potential control on the ground make this a tough one to confidently bet.

Louis Lee Scott -450 vs Kaushik Saikumar +350

This is a massive mismatch on paper, with Louis Lee Scott holding clear advantages everywhere. Scott is the stronger striker, highly skilled on the ground, and has already been tested against quality competition.

Kaushik Saikumar, meanwhile, represents India—a market the UFC is eager to grow—but historically, Indian fighters have not fared well at this level.

His last fight highlighted those struggles, as he was losing badly until a miracle third-round controversial knockout bailed him out.

Scott’s power, experience, and well-rounded skill set should allow him to dominate this fight and secure a contract.

Josh Hokit -500 vs Guilherme Uriel +375

Josh Hokit brings a dominant wrestling base into this fight and will waste no time shooting early and often.

Once he secures top position, he rarely gives it up, making him a nightmare matchup for anyone without elite takedown defense.

Guilherme Uriel has shown some finishing ability, but he doesn’t appear to have the athleticism or strength to keep Hokit off him.

On the feet, Uriel can be awkward—swinging wildly and leaving himself far too open for takedowns. This fight sets up perfectly for Hokit, who should control the action and finish Uriel without much resistance.

Ramiro Jimenez -351 vs Tommy Couzzi +276

Tommy Couzzi comes in undefeated, but his record is built on wins over opponents who never truly tested him.

He’s shown decent striking and top control, but against weak competition that offered little adversity, leaving question marks about how he’ll respond when pressured.

Ramiro Jimenez, on the other hand, last fought a year and a half ago in a grueling tournament where he won three fights in a single night—an impressive feat that showcased both skill and toughness.

He’s fast on the feet, carries real knockout power, and has a couple of slick kimura submission victories on his record as well.

At just 26 years old, the time off should have left him healed and refreshed, and this looks like the right spot for him to put together a strong performance.

Given the massive step up in competition, it’s hard to see Couzzi having the tools to both defend Jimenez’s attacks and mount his own offense effectively.

Dana White’s Contender Series Event: Manuel Exposito +325 vs Jose Delano -500

Jose Delano comes in as a heavy favorite, and while he has the tools to justify that status, the price makes it tough to back.

Delano has solid movement on the feet, a strong reach advantage, and finishing ability that could make life difficult for Exposito.

However, Exposito is short and stocky with the kind of wrestling and takedown ability that could create problems if he’s able to close the distance.

Extended control time on the mat could quickly turn this into a much closer fight than the odds suggest. Delano is the pick, but at this number the value just isn’t there—pass at this price.

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