Dana White's Contender Series Season 8, Week 6: Benjamin Bennett vs Joey Hart Preview and Prediction

Introduction

Dana White's Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6, takes place on September 17, 2024, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. This week's event features an exciting welterweight matchup between Benjamin Bennett and Joey Hart, two rising prospects looking to make their mark in the UFC. Both fighters bring strong records into the octagon, with Bennett holding a 6-1-0 record and Hart matching him with an identical 6-1-0 record. Bennett, known for his well-rounded skills and finishing ability, faces off against the dangerous striker Joey Hart, who has finished all six of his wins by knockout. This fight is expected to be a thrilling encounter, as both men aim to secure a UFC contract by delivering a standout performance.

 

Odds Table

Fighter	Odds	Record
Benjamin Bennett	-125	6-1-0
Joey Hart	-105	6-1-0

 

Fighter Overview

Benjamin Bennett

Benjamin Bennett, fighting out of the Elevation Fight Team, has established himself as a versatile and dangerous fighter in the welterweight division. Bennett holds a professional record of 6-1-0, with four wins coming by way of knockout and one by submission. Known for his resilience and ability to adapt to his opponents, Bennett has shown that he can handle a variety of challenges inside the cage. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision win over Luis Iniguez at LFA 186, where he showcased his striking, grappling, and ability to control the pace of the fight. Bennett’s only loss came against Trey Waters, a setback that he has since bounced back from with three consecutive victories. With a well-rounded skill set and a relentless work ethic, Bennett is eager to prove that he belongs in the UFC.

Joey Hart

Joey Hart, nicknamed “The Hitman,” is a powerful striker with an unblemished record of 6-1-0. All six of Hart’s wins have come by knockout, making him one of the most feared strikers on the Contender Series this season. Hart’s ability to finish fights quickly and decisively has earned him a reputation as a dangerous opponent in the welterweight division. His most recent win was a first-round TKO against Tyler Scott at LFA 185, where he once again demonstrated his knockout power. Despite his striking prowess, Hart’s ground game remains relatively untested, as he has yet to secure a win by submission or decision. His lone loss came via a unanimous decision against Diyar Kuraev in June 2023, a fight in which Hart struggled to deal with his opponent’s grappling. Hart will look to keep this fight standing and add another knockout to his resume as he seeks to impress Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

 

Fight History & Analysis

Benjamin Bennett

Bennett’s fight history is a testament to his well-rounded abilities. He has shown that he can finish fights both on the feet and on the ground, with a nearly equal distribution of knockouts and submissions in his victories. Bennett’s most notable win came against Maika Graf in October 2023, where he finished the fight in the first round with a brutal TKO. Bennett’s striking is sharp, but it is his ability to mix in grappling and control the fight on the mat that makes him a complete fighter. His victory over Luis Iniguez demonstrated his ability to maintain composure and outwork his opponent over three rounds, securing a unanimous decision. Bennett’s ability to adapt to different opponents and find paths to victory makes him a formidable challenge for anyone in the welterweight division.

Joey Hart

Joey Hart’s fight history is dominated by knockout victories, with all six of his wins coming by way of TKO or KO. Hart’s aggressive striking style and powerful hands make him a constant threat in the welterweight division. His most impressive performance came in September 2023 when he defeated Jeff Nielsen via a third-round TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage. Hart’s ability to finish fights early and avoid the judges’ scorecards has been a hallmark of his career. However, his loss to Diyar Kuraev exposed some weaknesses in his game, particularly his grappling and ability to defend takedowns. Despite this, Hart remains a dangerous opponent for anyone who chooses to stand and trade with him.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

Benjamin Bennett

Strengths:

• Versatility: Bennett’s ability to finish fights in various ways, whether through striking or grappling, makes him a well-rounded and unpredictable fighter.
• Fight IQ: Bennett’s experience and understanding of the game allow him to adapt to his opponents and execute smart game plans.
• Grappling Skills: Bennett has shown strong grappling skills, including submission victories and the ability to control his opponents on the ground.

Weaknesses:

• Striking Defense: Bennett’s striking defense has been tested in past fights, and he will need to be careful against Hart’s knockout power.
• Recovery Time: Bennett’s only loss came in the later rounds, suggesting that his recovery and stamina could be areas to improve.

Joey Hart

Strengths:

• Knockout Power: Hart’s most significant asset is his knockout power, with all of his wins coming by way of TKO or KO.
• Aggression: Hart’s aggressive style puts pressure on his opponents from the opening bell, often overwhelming them with his striking.
• Height and Reach: Standing at 6'3" with a 78.5" reach, Hart often enjoys a physical advantage over his opponents, allowing him to dictate the range of the fight.

Weaknesses:

• Ground Game: Hart’s ground game is still a question mark, as he has not shown the same level of proficiency on the mat as he has in his striking.
• Takedown Defense: Hart’s loss to Kuraev highlighted vulnerabilities in his takedown defense, which could be exploited by a skilled grappler like Bennett.

 

Betting Trends and Market Analysis

The betting odds for this fight reflect the close nature of this matchup, with Benjamin Bennett slightly favored at -125 and Joey Hart at -105. This indicates that the market sees this as a competitive fight, with Bennett’s well-rounded skill set giving him a slight edge over Hart’s knockout power. The over/under for this fight is set at 1.5 rounds, reflecting the potential for an early finish given Hart’s history of quick knockouts and Bennett’s ability to secure submissions. Bettors may find value in Bennett’s odds if they believe he can weather the early storm from Hart and take the fight into deeper waters where his grappling could become a factor.

 

Potential Fight Outcomes

Benjamin Bennett Wins by Submission

Bennett’s best path to victory may be to take the fight to the ground and look for a submission. If he can avoid Hart’s power and secure a takedown, Bennett’s grappling skills give him a clear advantage in this area.

Joey Hart Wins by Knockout

Hart’s most likely path to victory is through his knockout power. If he can keep the fight standing and land his heavy strikes early, he could end the fight with a highlight-reel KO.

Benjamin Bennett Wins by Decision

If Bennett can control the fight with his grappling and avoid getting caught by Hart’s power, he could grind out a decision victory by outworking Hart over three rounds.

Joey Hart Wins by Decision

While unlikely, Hart could win by decision if he can avoid Bennett’s takedowns and outstrike him for three rounds. However, Hart’s history suggests that he prefers to finish fights rather than leave it to the judges.

 

Prediction