Contender Series 2026 Episode 7 Breakdown and Predictions

Shawn Bitter- A lot of fighters this season have been given strongly favored matchups. I’m fine with that to a point, but I don’t love seeing two talents like Dasuyev and Ortega matched against each other. Both would bring value to the UFC’s welterweight division. Ortega has shown flashes of high-level potential, while I believe Dasuyev has already established himself as a legitimate prospect.

Both are primarily strikers, though Dasuyev can mix in takedowns more often. Ortega likes to set up his offense and counter, while Dasuyev is a buzzsaw who throws combinations and mixes in every weapon possible. Both tend to lead with their head at times, so each will have openings.

This is a huge step up for Ortega after fighting much weaker competition in Combate. Dasuyev’s speed, variety, output, and proven cardio should be too much. Ortega simply hasn’t faced anyone who will attack him from as many angles as Dasuyev will.

Prediction: Dasuyev by Decision

Cedric Dumas-  One of the best fights of the season, with both guys sitting inside my top 60 prospects worldwide. I’m a big Dasuyev guy to begin with, but by now you’re probably starting to know I have a bias toward fighters with strong IMMAF runs.

Dasuyev went 13-3 as an amateur, with wins over Jordan Zebo and Patrick Habirora among others, and he’s carried that success into the professional ranks. He’s incredibly complete, with sharp boxing and excellent BJJ, and I really like his chances here.

That said, Ortega is far from a scrub. Low activity and questionable competition in Combate Global have slowed his development, but he has finished the opponents put in front of him. He’s a dangerous striker with beautiful, flashy kicks and enough athleticism to make this a serious challenge.

This should be a dangerous fight from start to finish, but I believe Dasuyev’s overall game will eventually prove to be too much. I expect him to deal with Ortega’s striking, take control as the fight progresses, and find a finish in the second half.

Pick: Dasuyev by Round 2 Submission

Nicholas Holt- Is it possible for a fight to be both the best and worst matchup of this year’s Contender Series? I love both Ortega and Dasuyev, and it physically pains me that they’re fighting each other.

Jaden Ortega has extensive offensive weaponry, notably owning a gorgeous array of kicks both from range and inside the pocket. His most impressive weapon is a lead head kick. It has virtually no tell, and his athleticism lets him throw it with ease. He’s a particularly dangerous counter striker as well – fighters simply can’t get reckless when fighting Ortega. He’ll punish his opposition with big power and has plenty of tools when it comes to changing the momentum of a fight. Come Tuesday night, Jaden Ortega will have to be at his best, as he’s facing off with the interim champion of the ARES welterweight division.

Alvi Dasuyev is definitely going to be a fan favorite. His style blends heavy, dynamic striking with a strong clinch and a reliable submission game. Fighting at a high pace from the opening bell, Dasuyev fights with a determination to finish the fight. He truly is the definition of explosiveness, consistently unleashing flying knees, high kicks, and punishing body shots to catch his opponents by surprise. Dasuyev can be pretty impressive with his level changes as well, dragging his opponents to the ground with a surprising amount of strength before quickly putting on a tight squeeze to finish the job.

This is a brutal one to pick, and while I do think Dasuyev will be the side to be on, I think Ortega will have plenty of opportunity to swing the matchup in his favor. Alvi Dasuyev’s first takedown attempt will tell the outlook of the fight. If Jaden Ortega is able to keep the fight standing, it’s anyone’s fight. However, I lack the belief that Ortega can keep Dasuyev off the mats. Alvi Dasuyev has a leg up on the ground, and he should be looking to expose Ortega with his submission grappling.

The loser should be called back for next season without a doubt.

Pick: Dasuyev by Round 2 Submission

Xavi Ryder– The last fight to talk about for week seven is one of my favorite fights we will get this entire season. Dasuyev is currently my #5 ranked prospect, with Ortega sitting at #48. Even though Ortega is a talented fighter and a great finisher, I think he may be running into Dasuyev a bit too soon. While both are good everywhere, Dasuyev has the advantage in grappling, and if either initiates it, I expect it to be him. Ortega is a patient, technical counter-striker, but I don’t see Dasuyev giving him time to find his way into the fight. Dasuyev will bring the pressure while mixing up all his dangerous weapons, and I think it will be too much for Ortega.

Pick: Dasuyev via R1 KO/TKO

Drew Beaupre- Dasuyev’s amateur and professional credentials speak for themselves, and his DWCS opportunity comes against another promising welterweight prospect in Ortega.

The expectation is that Dasuyev will pressure Ortega from the opening bell, leaving the American to pick his counter shots and find enough space to establish his kicking game. “Spartan” is going to be mixing up his shots to the head and body as he works in combination, which will help set up his takedowns right when Ortega feels like he might be getting comfortable enough to sit down on a good counter.

I expect that Ortega will be able to bounce back and likely find himself fighting on DWCS again at some point in the future, but Dasuyev is a significant step up from the competition he’s faced thus far and just has too many tools at his disposal. (Pick: Dasuyev via R2 Submission)

Cangrejo Ruiz- There are many people higher than me on Dasuyev, but I believe he is a really good fighter, nasty on the feet, aggressive on the ground, and has a good IQ. Ortega has tons of potential, but this is too much too soon; really explosive and violent but green in the more technical aspects of the game. I expect a war here, and I think Dasuyev will do the most damage.

Prediction is Dasuyev by R2 TKO

Benjamin Keith- A lot of my coworkers think Dasuyev is a fantastic fighter. I think he is a good fighter who is highly entertaining. I do hold guys like Alvi, who have a fantastic amateur record, in very high regard. He fights like a wild man, and when you watch the tape, you definitely see moments where good opponents will be able to successfully counter-strike against him. He is the singular fighter this season where I can say his ceiling is top 10 in the UFC, and his floor is getting knocked out on the contender series.

So far in his career, Jaden Ortega has successfully thumped every fighter in front of him. He has looked like dynamite against some very beatable regional fighters. This step up against Dasuyev will be one of the bigger jumps in competition that anyone has made this season. His high kicks and flying knees can knock fighters of any level out of consciousness. He is as explosive as Dasuyev, and perhaps a better overall athlete, but he lacks Alvi’s experience and varied strikes.

Both fighters are good enough to eventually fight in the upper half of UFC welterweights. Alvi is much more ready to join the roster, but I can’t shake the feeling that Ortega catches him and spoils that party.

Pick: Ortega by 1st Round KO/TKO