Dana White's Contender Series Season 10 Week 1 Picks and Predictions

Season 10 of Dana White's Contender Series kicks off Tuesday, August 11, from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, streaming on Paramount+ at 7 p.m. ET. Four unbeaten fighters highlight the season 10 opener, with UFC contracts on the line for every winner who impresses. Here's a breakdown of all five fights and the picks for Week 1.

Anthony Wint (6-0) vs. Matt Adams (6-2)

This main event is built as a coming-out party for Wint, a former NFL player turned undefeated heavyweight wrecking ball who has been dominant in a short pro career. Adams is comfortable trading on the feet but does his best damage with ground-and-pound once fights hit the mat, meaning his path to victory requires getting a bigger, more athletic opponent down, no easy task against Wint's speed and explosiveness for the division. If this stays standing, which is likely given Wint's aggression and power, Adams is in serious trouble.

Pick: Anthony Wint by KO/TKO.

Fabrizio Escarrega (9-1) vs. Abe Alsaghir (8-0)

Expect fireworks here. Alsaghir is a relentless, come-forward striker who has finished all but one opponent in his career, pressuring from the opening bell. Escarrega counters with underrated ground skills and a notable length and size advantage, which could be the deciding factor if the striking exchanges get messy. This profiles as a firefight that likely doesn't reach the scorecards.

Pick: Abe Alsaghir by KO/TKO

Bilal Hasan (8-0) vs. Mridul Saikia (9-1)

This is the definition of a showcase fight. Hasan is regarded as the best overall prospect on the entire card, a polished, well-rounded striker with a dominant résumé and real long-term upside. Saikia, a Road to UFC veteran, was finished in 37 seconds in his last notable outing and comes from a developing regional scene that hasn't produced elite UFC-level talent. There's little in Saikia's tape suggesting he can slow Hasan's pace or power.

Pick: Bilal Hasan by KO/TKO

Tom Pagliarulo (10-2) vs. Ananias Mulumba (10-3)

Mulumba is back on the Contender stage after a competitive loss last year and brings genuine finishing abilities that UFC matchmakers covet, plus a finish in every win of his career. Pagliarulo, however, owns the superior size and power advantages in this matchup and could be live if he can keep this fight on his feet and punish Mulumba at range. Mulumba comes in as the favorite, reflecting the belief that his level of competition and ability to finish this fight wherever it takes place gives him the edge, even against a scrappy opponent.

Pick: Ananias Mulumba by KO/TKO

Jon Kunneman (10-0) vs. Joe Kropschot (8-3)

The technical highlight of the card pits two regional grappling champions against each other. Kunneman, a Nebraska wrestling product, brings elite takedowns, control, and top-position submissions, while Kropschot is a dangerous, worlds-level jiu-jitsu specialist who thrives off his back or in scrambles. This likely won't be a highlight-reel finish, but whoever imposes dominant position first should control the fight and the judges' scorecards.

Pick: Jon Kunneman by decision

Expect at least two or three UFC contracts handed out Tuesday night, this is one of the deeper Week 1 lineups DWCS has produced in recent seasons.