Dana White's Contender Series: Season 8, Week 8 - Alberto Montes vs Carlos Calderon Fight Preview

The featherweight bout between Alberto Montes and Carlos Calderon at Dana White's Contender Series: Season 8, Week 8 is set to deliver an exciting matchup, with both fighters seeking to secure a UFC contract. Montes, a Venezuelan submission specialist, faces Calderon, a rising talent from the USA who brings an equally dangerous submission game and knockout power. The two fighters have a combined 8 submission wins, and this bout could turn into a grappling masterclass.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Alberto Montes

Alberto "The Promise" Montes is a 30-year-old featherweight from Venezuela, training out of The Goat Shed. Montes holds a record of 9-1-0, with 5 wins by submission. He has developed a reputation for his submission skills, frequently finishing fights via chokes, including his most recent victory over Kevin Garcia with a D'Arce choke in Combate Global.

Despite a knockout loss in 2021, Montes has bounced back with consecutive submission victories, showcasing his resilience and well-rounded ground game. His ability to lock in submissions quickly, often in the early rounds, makes him a constant threat on the ground.

Carlos Calderon

Carlos "Chief" Calderon, a 28-year-old fighter from the USA, trains out of Elevation Fight Team. Calderon holds a record of 6-2-0, with 3 submission victories and 2 knockouts to his name. His most recent win came via a first-round rear-naked choke against Kurtis Ellis at LFA 186.

Calderon is known for his explosiveness, both in his striking and grappling. With fast finishes both on the feet and on the ground, he can capitalize on openings in his opponents' defense. While he has suffered two submission losses, Calderon’s recent performances have demonstrated his ability to make adjustments and improve his grappling defense.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Alberto Montes

Montes is a submission specialist, relying heavily on his grappling skills to finish fights. With 5 submission victories, his preferred techniques are chokes such as D'Arce and anaconda chokes. Montes typically looks to take his opponents to the ground early and work towards a submission. His ability to secure submissions from various positions makes him dangerous for anyone who engages with him on the mat.

Montes is also disciplined in his approach, often waiting for his opponents to make mistakes before capitalizing on submission openings. His calm demeanor and technical ability allow him to remain patient while hunting for the finish.

Carlos Calderon

Calderon is a well-rounded fighter, with a good mix of striking and grappling. His knockout power is evident from his two first-round finishes, and his submission game is equally dangerous, with 3 wins by choke. Calderon is aggressive in the early rounds, often looking for fast finishes, whether on the feet or on the ground.

Calderon’s ability to apply pressure and push the pace will be a key factor in this fight. He’ll need to be mindful of Montes' grappling, but his ability to mix up his striking and grappling can help him keep Montes guessing. Calderon’s explosiveness and versatility make him a tough opponent to predict.

Recent Performances and Fight Analysis

Alberto Montes

Montes has been dominant in his last two fights, winning both by D'Arce choke. His submission victories over Kevin Garcia and Adam Ortiz both came early in the fight, demonstrating his quick start and ability to finish fights in the first or second rounds. Montes’ only loss came via knockout, and since then, he has tightened up his striking defense to avoid getting caught in exchanges.

Against Calderon, Montes will look to take the fight to the ground as quickly as possible. His submission game is his strongest weapon, and if he can secure a takedown early, he will likely begin hunting for a submission finish.

Carlos Calderon

Calderon’s last fight saw him secure a submission victory via rear-naked choke in the first round, continuing his streak of early finishes. However, Calderon has also shown knockout power, with two KO victories within the first round. Calderon has improved his grappling since his submission loss in 2022, which could be crucial in this matchup against a submission artist like Montes.

Calderon will likely aim to keep the fight standing and use his striking to wear down Montes. If he can avoid getting taken down, Calderon’s power and aggressive style could overwhelm Montes on the feet.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Alberto Montes	-285
Carlos Calderon	+215

Montes enters the fight as the significant favorite at -285, with Calderon being the underdog at +215. The odds suggest that Montes’ submission skills and experience are expected to give him the edge, but Calderon’s explosiveness and finishing ability should not be overlooked.

Keys to Victory

Alberto Montes

• Take the Fight to the Ground: Montes needs to get the fight to the ground as soon as possible, where his submission skills are most effective.
• Stay Patient: Montes should avoid rushing for submissions and wait for Calderon to make a mistake, as he’s done in his previous fights.
• Avoid the Striking Game: Montes needs to be cautious of Calderon’s power and avoid getting caught in prolonged striking exchanges.

Carlos Calderon

• Keep the Fight Standing: Calderon’s best chance is to keep the fight on the feet, where his striking advantage could come into play.
• Pressure Early: Calderon should look to push the pace early and force Montes into uncomfortable positions, especially in striking exchanges.
• Stay Alert for Takedowns: Calderon must be wary of Montes’ takedown attempts and use his improved grappling defense to keep the fight standing.

Prediction