Episode 8 of Dana White's Contender Series is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 and takes place at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This event is made up of five Main Card fights, which features a UFC Women's Strawweight Division fight between Aieza Bertolso and Camila Reynoso.
For those that are unfamiliar with the Contender Series, it is an ongoing series where rising prospects attempt to make an impression on Dana White, the CEO of the UFC.
Dana White's Contender Series: Episode 8 betting picks and predictions
Aieza Bertolso vs. Camila Reynoso - Fight to go the Distance - No
Our top pick for Episode 8 of the Contender Series looks for the featured Women's Strawweight fight between Bertolso and Reynoso to end inside the distance.
Bertolso enters this fight with a perfect MMA record of 7-0. Her most recent win was back in September 2025, when she beat Edilania Silva by submission.
Bertolso has only been a professional MMA fighter since May 2023, but has already seen the majority of her fights end inside the distance. This includes four wins by submission, one win by KO/TKO, and just two wins by decision.
Further, her last two MMA fights have ended inside the distance and three of her last four fights have done the same.
As for Reynoso, she enters this fight with an MMA record of 9-1. Her most recent win was back in December 2025, where she beat Maria Luiza Feitosa de Abreu by TKO.
Like her opponent, Reynoso has also seen most of her MMA fights end inside the distance. This includes four wins by KO/TKO and two wins by submission. Three of her wins have come by decision, as well as her only loss.
Bertolso is the significant favorite; therefore, because both fighters have consistently ended inside the distance, backing this fight to also end inside the distance is our best bet.
Matchup Stats
Aieza Bertolso | Camila Reynoso | |
9-1 | Record | 7-0 |
Win | Last Fight | Win |
5'2" | Height | 5'6" |
115 lbs | Weight | 115 lbs |
23 | Age | 25 |
George Staines ML (-245) vs. Loai Abushaar
Our second pick for Episode 8 of the Contender Series is for George Staines to beat Loai Abushaar in the UFC Lightweight Division.
Staines enters this fight with a record of 8-0. His most recent MMA fight resulted in a win against Conor McCarthy by submission back in June 2026.
He has been a professional MMA fighter since November 2023 and has won most of his fights by decision. This includes five wins by decision, two wins by submission, and just one win by KO/TKO.
As for Abushaar, he enters this fight with an MMA record of 7-1. His most recent MMA fight was back in April 2026, where he beat Alejandro Quero by submission.
Unlike his opponent, Abushaar has seen all of his MMA fights end inside the distance. This includes four wins by KO/TKO and three wins by submission. Further, his lone loss was by KO/TKO.
Even though Staines is the heavy favorite, he still looks to be the best betting option. His ability to control a fight likely gives him the advantage, plus he has never lost a fight.
For that reason, backing George Staines to win is our play.
Matchup Stats
Loai Abushaar | George Staines | |
7-1 | Record | 8-0 |
Win | Last Fight | Win |
6'4" | Height | 6'1" |
155 lbs | Weight | 156 lbs |
30 | Age | 26 |
Location, Date, Time
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
How to Watch Dana White's Contender Series Episode 8
Fans can stream the Dana White's Contender Series Episode 8 event on Paramount+.
Dana White's Contender Series Episode 8 Fight Card
Fight | Weight Class |
Aieza Bertolso vs. Camila Reynoso | Women's Strawweight |
Loai Abushaar vs. George Staines | Lightweight |
Ian Escuza vs. Luca Borando | Featherweight |
Ilias Bulaid vs. Erick Visconde | Featherweight |
Adama Diop vs. Zaurbek Sabanov | Heavyweight |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
