Dana White’s Contender Series: Week 3 Predictions, Picks and Betting Odds August 26

Dana White’s Contender Series Betting Preview

UFC WagerTalk handicapper Andy Lang gives his Week 3 Dana White’s Contender Series picks and predictions for August 26, 2025 with the main event headlined by Trent Miller vs Ryan Gandra 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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Trent Miller vs Ryan Gandra: Dana White’s Contender Series Main Event

Tuesday, August 26	Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3 (Courtesy of Caesars)
Moneyline:	Trent Miller +375 vs Ryan Gandra -600
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

Donte Johnson -395 vs Darion Abbey +280 

Darion Abbey simply doesn’t look like a UFC-caliber fighter.  His stance is sloppy, his volume is extremely low, and he lacks  polish in both striking and movement.

While he’ll hold a height advantage, he doesn’t use it effectively and tends to go inactive for long stretches.

Donte Johnson, meanwhile, is far more active  and fluid, constantly using movement to set up his strikes. He’s finished every one of his five professional fights in the first  round and only went to decision back in his amateur days. 

Although Johnson is a smaller heavyweight, his speed, activity, and finishing ability make him the clear side. Given his style and Abbey’s flaws, the fight not going the distance looks like the best bet.

Manoel Sousa -280 vs Cristian Perez +210 

This should be an entertaining matchup between two fighters who both look UFC-caliber. Cristian Perez brings a solid ground  game with good control, though his submission threat isn’t elite. 

His striking is serviceable, but still feels a step away from  what’s needed at the top level. He hasn’t fought in MMA for over a year and a half, with his most recent competitive action  being a karate match in 2024, but at just 26 years old, he could  show up sharp and improved.

Manoel Sousa, meanwhile, has  faced strong competition and offers a balanced game with striking and clinch work, though he isn’t always the most exciting fighter to watch. On a stage like the Contender Series, that could matter for earning a contract.

Sousa is the safer pick right now, but Perez has the upside, especially if he can create the more dynamic moments on the feet and keep the fight engaging. This should be a close contest, but I’ll lean slightly toward Perez as the live underdog.

Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev -1000 vs Alik Lorenz +600 

There isn’t much mystery in this matchup—Yakhyaev has clear  advantages everywhere. He’ll likely strike for a short stretch to establish control, but once he decides to take it to the mat, Lorenz won’t have an answer.

Lorenz is slow, doesn’t have the striking to compete, and his ground game isn’t at a level where he can defend Yakhyaev’s pressure. Expect Yakhyaev to secure a takedown and dominate on the ground, finishing this fight with ease.

Marcio Barbosa -260 vs Damon Wilson +195 

This is a matchup between two dynamic strikers, but Barbosa’s punching power stands out as the clear difference-maker. 

Wilson has solid length and range, and his knees in the clinch  can be dangerous, but his striking defense leaves a lot to be desired.

Barbosa is aggressive, throws with fight-ending intent, and has the kind of pressure that can walk through Wilson’s longer strikes to land his own.

While Wilson’s competition level hasn’t been particularly strong, Barbosa has faced tougher  opponents and proven his ability to deliver damage.

Given both  fighters’ kill-or-be-killed styles, the fight not going the distance is an excellent parlay piece, but Barbosa is the pick to get the win.

Dana White’s Contender Series Event: Trent Miller +375 vs Ryan Gandra -600

This matchup sets up as a classic striker versus grappler battle. Trent Miller prefers to take fights to the ground, where he’ll  have the advantage with his ability to grind out control time and wear down opponents.

The problem for him is that Ryan Gandra owns a clear edge on the feet, bringing sharper striking and more finishing potential.

Gandra also showed improved takedown defense and scrambling ability in his last fight, which could  neutralize Miller’s best path to victory.

Both fighters were preparing for different opponents before this late matchup adjustment, which makes it a tricky fight to read.

While Gandra’s striking advantage and defensive improvements make him the pick, the confidence level isn’t high due to the stylistic clash and the short-notice preparation for both sides.

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