Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 Week 6 Play-by-Play & Results

Round 1

White rushes out of his corner and the lightweights trade a flurry
of punches before Valdez shoots for a takedown. He takes White down
near the fence, but his opponent quickly hustles back to his feet.
Valdez continues to maintain a body lock as he presses White into
the cage. Valdez lands a short elbow on the break. Valdez lands a
leg kick, then a two-punch combination before changing levels. He
gets White down, but it’s only momentary. White is back on his
feet, defending against Valdez’s level change. Valdez gets White
down and jumps on his foe’s back, but it’s not a great angle to
complete the submission. They separate and start swinging wildly.
Valdez lands a knee down the middle, then changes levels behind a
punch. White defends well with his back to the fence, and Valdez
throws a spinning elbow on the break. The lightwights stand and are
swinging wildly. Valdez knocks White’s mouthpiece loose, and Valdez
wades forward and secures a takedown. Valdez lands ground-and-pound
before White somehow reverses position. They scramble back upand
continue to engage in a brawl on the feet. White sticks a
three-ipece combination. Valdez seems to be fading and White is
finding the range on more punches. the action is wild as White
lands a knee down the middle. A pair of right hands connect for
White, and Valdez is bleeding profusely. They’re still swinging
when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 White
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valdez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 White

Round 2

White comes out throwing more combinations, and Valdez is answering
back. A heavy leg kick lands for Valdez. White tags Valdez with a
right hand and shoves him into the fence. White digs to the body
with a couple of hooks and then the tide suddenly turns. Valdez
dislodges his foe’s mouthpiece with a left hook, and then White is
on the retreat. Valdez tags him with a right hand and another left
hook, and White topples to the canvas. Herb Dean steps in
before Valdez can land any more follow-up offense on his fallen
adversary. Valdez remains undefeated as a professional in a rousing
performance.

The Official Result

Genaro Valdez def. Patrick White via TKO (Punches) R2 0:44

Round 1

Barnes opens up with a kick to his foe’s lead leg. The 6-foot-4
Holmes has a high kick blocked. Holmes connects on a kick to the
body. Holmes steps in with a knee and then dodges a right hand by
Barnes. Holmes lands a two-punch combination, then follows with a
head kick that partially connects. Barnes steps in to throw a left
hand and an accidental clash of heads ensues, with Barnes briefly
stumbling to a knee. Chris Tognoni halts the fight and checks on
both fighters. The break is brief and the fight resumes. Barnes
lands a body kick and Holmes shoots for a takedown against the
fence. Holmes looks for a trip, but Barnes is showing good balance.
Holmes works his way to his opponent’s back, but they separate.
Holmes follows a head kick with a right hand. Barnes blocks another
head kick from Holmes. Barnes marches forward and misses a right
hook. Barnes shoots for a takedown and locks his hands with Holmes’
back against the fence. Holmes defends and turns his man into the
fence. Holmes lands a few knees before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holmes
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holmes
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Holmes

Round 2

Holmes is warned to close his fingers after an initial exchange.
Barnes is moving forward but can’t find the range on his punches.
Holmes slaps a body kick off Barnes’ chest. They tie up and Holmes
avoids a big right hand on the break. Barnes lands a low kick as
Holmes throws a jab. Holmes closes the distance and lands a
takedown near the fence. Holmes quickly takes Barnes’ back and gets
both hooks in about halfway through the round. Holmes switches to a
body triangle and looks to slide his arm under the chin. Holmes’ squeeze is tight. Barnes briefly fights the
hands of his opponent, but it’s to no avail as he taps in a matter
of seconds.

The Official Result

Joseph Holmes def. Shonte Barnes via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
R2 2:46

Round 1

Weems steps in and lands a one-two. He kicks out Garcia’s leg with
a low kick. Garcia fires back with a combination and they trade
briefly. A long right connects for Weems. Weems pressures and gets
buckled with a counter from Garcia. Weems presses his man into the
fence and Garcia reverses the position. Weems gets his back off the
fence and they separate. A right lands for Weems and he avoids the
follow-up from his opponent. Garcia steps in and drops Weems with a massive
overhand right near the fence. Weems covers up on the canvas, and
Garcia unloads with a barrage of punches and hammerfists. Herb
Dean warns Weems to defend himself. Although Weems keeps his guard
up, he isn’t doing anything else to stop the onslaught, and Dean
has finally seen enough. This one is over.

The Official Result

Fernando Garcia def. Joshua Weems via TKO (Punches) R1 2:10

Round 1

Hernandez lands a leg kick early. Barez has taken the center of the
cage and he connects with a right hand. Barez stuffs a takedown and
tags Hernandez with a combination. Barez is swarming with heavy
hooks to the body. Hernandez moves forward and lands a combination
of his own. Barez with a right hand and then a leg kick. Hernandez
answers with an inside leg kick. Hernandez counters a jumping knee
with a nice jab. They tie up, but Barez is able to break free.
Hernandez lands a body kick followed by a right hand to the head. A
short right connects for Barez in close quarters. Barez with
another short right hand, and shortly thereafter he lands a right
corss-left hook combination. Hernandez grabs a leg and shoves Barez
into the fence. Barez locks in a standing choke and escapes the
takedown attempt. A jumping knee lands flush for Hernandez and it
looks like Barez’s buckled for a moment. But he’s still on his
feet. a counter right catches Hernandez coming in. Hernandez closes
the distance and shoves Barez into the fence. Hernandez with a
short right on the break. Barez lands a huge takedown and jumps on
the back when Hernandez quickly returns to his feet. Barez powers
him down and then is on the back of Hernandez. As time ticks down,
Barez threatens with a rear-naked choke. Hernandez makes it to the
horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Barez

Round 2

Hernandez lands a combination, then stuffs a takedown. Barez
answers with a knee. A leg kick lands for Barez, and Hernandez tags
him with a combination. Barez stuns Hernandez, who briefly backs
up. Barez slips and Hernandez dives into top position. Barez has a
reverse triangle, but Hernandez escapes and transitions to side
control. Hernandez takes Barez’s back and flattens his man out.
Hernandez is looking to life Barez’s head so he can slide his arm
under the chin. He’s working the arm under, but Barez escapes.
Hernandez lands punches from back mount. Hernandez lands more
punches as Barez looks to stand. They fall back into the fence and
now Hernandez is on the back with both men in a seated position.
Hernandez switches to a body triangle. Hernandez drops some punches
to the side of the head of his adversary. Hernandez is back to
having both hooks in. Barez explodes out of the position and
stands. Hernandez looks for a takedown and Barez defends against
the fence and shoves him away. Hernandez pressures forward with
punches. Barez executes a level change and plants Hernandez on the
canvas with about 25 seconds left. Hernandez attacks with strikes
off his back as Barez stays inside his guard until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Hernandez

Round 3

Barez lands a two punch combination. A short left hook backs
Hernandez up. Hernandez misses a flying knee and they clinch.
Hernandez presses Barez into the cage. They separate quickly. Time
is called following an eye poke by Hernandez. The fight resumes and
both flyweights are throwing punches in combination. A check left
hook lands clean for Barez in an exchange. A right cross by Barez
backs up Hernandez. Barez times a level change and grounds
Hernandez. He’s in half guard near the fence. Hernandez pushes off
the cage and scrambles up. Moments later, Barez drives his man
right back down to the mat. Barez is in his foe’s full guard.
Hernandez explodes up and grabs the neck, Barez looks for a single
leg but relents. Hernandez turns him around and presses him into
the cage. Hernandez lands several short body shots on the break.
Hernandez shoots for a takedown and drives Barez into the fence.
They separate with less than a minute to go. Barez changes levels
again and drives Hernandez into the fence. Hernandez defends and
lands a solid left hook. Hernandez is pouring it on with punches.
Barez ducks under a spinning back fist and looks for a takedown,
planting Hernandez just after the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28
Hernandez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)

The Official Result

Carlos Hernandez def. Daniel Barez via Split Decision (29-28,
28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

Round 1

Malott shakes off a glove touch offer and throws a head kick.
Smotritsky attacks with a front kick. Both welterweights swing
heavy leather in the pocket, and Smotritsky changes levels for a
takedown. Malott immediately locks in a guillotine in
response. Smotritsky tries to roll to his back, but Malott simply
adjusts the squeeze. It’s extremely tight and with nowhere to
go, Smotritsky taps between the legs of his opponent. The Team
Alpha Male product has finished all seven of his professional
victories and could be staring at a UFC contract.

The Official Result

Mike Malott def. Shimon Smotritsky via Submission (Guillotine
Choke) R1 0:39