DWCS 2025 got off to a wild start last week, with two contracts handed out and Baisangur Susurkaev pulling off a four-day turnaround to defeat Eric Nolan at UFC 319 for his promotional debut on just four days’ notice. Susurkaev, who trains alongside UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, set a high bar for this Contender Series season, and Week 2 looks to deliver more dramatic entries from a slate of undefeated prospects.
In the featherweight bout that anchors Week 2, Jose Delano (15-3) faces Manuel Exposito (13-2). Here are the key notes and the expert read on what to expect.
Notable notes
– Exposito has wins by KO/TKO, submission, and decision, and has secured victories in rounds one, two, and three.
– Exposito is 0-2 in the United States.
– Delano is 6-1 in the LFA cage.
– Delano has recorded wins and losses by KO/TKO, submission, and decision. His lone recent loss in ten years came at the hands of UFC fighter Gabriel Santos.
– Delano excels with a high work rate, sharp footwork, a precise jab, and dangerous lead leg kicks. He is strong in the clinch, uses elbows effectively, and has improving takedown defense. He is viewed as a technically polished, counter-oriented striker with underrated grappling and solid cardio.
– Exposito’s strengths lie in submissions and scrambles, plus good kicks and ground-and-pound, but he shows notable gaps: squared stance, minimal head movement, limited footwork, low-volume striking, and poor takedown defense. His grappling is more scrambler than dominant wrestling, and his cardio can come under strain when the pace rises.
What the analysts say
– Delano is viewed as the more complete fighter, with a strong likelihood of controlling the fight on the feet and in the clinch. His movement and cage craft are described as top-tier, with the ability to maintain angles and stay active even under pressure.
– Exposito, while dangerous on the ground, has shown vulnerability on the feet and a tendency to unravel when real adversity appears. His limited head movement and hand placement, along with overall striking discipline, could create opportunities for Delano to impose a higher pace and pressure.
– The striking gap in favor of Delano is expected to be decisive early, with Delano capable of piling up damage through his jab and leg kicks. If Exposito does not get the fight to the mat, he could struggle to keep pace.
Prediction
– The analysis expects Delano to enter as a clear favorite, potentially around a -600 line, with Exposito needing an improbable path to victory—either dragging the bout to the mat or finding a rare guillotine opportunity. Exposito’s path would hinge on catching Delano off balance and exploiting openings on the ground, but Delano’s takedown defense and cage control are viewed as major obstacles.
– The consensus is that Delano’s striking and overall pace will overwhelm Exposito, likely leading to a stoppage. A first-round TKO for Delano is the predicted outcome by the analysts.
Context and implications
– Delano’s skill set—sustained cardio, precise striking, and credible takedown defense—paints him as a fighter who could make a late push toward the UFC if he continues to perform at this level. His ability to manage distance, cut angles, and mix in leg kicks will be tested against Exposito’s grappling threat.
– Week 2’s featured matchup highlights DWCS as a platform for up-and-coming featherweights to showcase a mix of high-volume striking, elite pace, and grappling versatility. For Delano, a win would reinforce his status as a strong prospect with potential to crack the UFC top 15 in the longer term, though those rankings are always contingent on continued development and competition.
Additional value and takeaways
– For fans, this pairing promises a clash of styles: Delano’s technical, footwork-heavy approach against Exposito’s submission-focused ground game. Expect Delano to control range, enforce his pace, and keep Exposito from establishing his preferred pace on the mat.
– If Exposito can turn the fight to the canvas and avoid getting overwhelmed on the feet, he could turn the trajectory of the bout, but the data suggests Delano’s edges in movement, defense, and cardio give him a clear pathway to victory.
– Beyond the bout, DWCS continues to deliver fresh opportunities and compelling stories, including Susurkaev’s rapid UFC debut, underscoring the unpredictable and opportunity-rich nature of this season.
Summary
DWCS 2025’s second week features a high-stakes featherweight clash that puts Jose Delano’s polished, relentless approach against Manuel Exposito’s dangerous ground game. The balance of factors favors Delano, with a likely first-round TKO in his favor, though the fight’s outcome will hinge on whether Exposito can force a grappling contest and avoid getting overwhelmed by Delano’s pace and precision. The season remains poised to produce more breakthrough performances and possibly another notable UFC entry as Week 2 unfolds.
Optional hopeful note
There’s real excitement in seeing fighters earn their shot on this platform, and Delano’s potential rise could add another promising featherweight chapter to DWCS’s ongoing story of turning regional stars into UFC contenders.