The opening fight of tonight’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series is a Light Heavyweight bout between Luke Fernandez vs. Rafael Pergentino. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Fernandez is the largest favorite on this card by a wide margin, as he is -1200 against Pergentino. In this fight, Pergentino is a +750 underdog.
Here is my best bet for Luke Fernandez vs. Rafael Pergentino on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Luke Fernandez to Win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 (-225)
Luke Fernandez trains at Dante Rivera BJJ, led by Dante Rivera, who is a former MMA fighter who appeared on The Ultimate Fighter and fought in Bellator. Fernandez trains in Freehold Township, New Jersey, which isn’t too far from Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut. In August, Fernandez trained with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and former Champion Glover Teixeira at their gym.
His opponent, Pergentino, is 5-0 with five finishes, but at only 23 years old, he lacks experience against tough opponents. Although Fernandez only has five fights, he is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Christian Edwards, who had eight fights in Bellator. That was Fernandez’s first win of his career by decision.
Since Fernandez is -1200 to win this fight and -330 to win by KO/TKO/DQ, it is best to get him to win by knockout in the first round at -225. That is because three of his four finishes have come in the first round, and he should be able to hurt Pergentino with his one-punch knockout power.