Dana White’s Contender Series 2022 Week 2 Play-by-Play and Results

Round 1

Smotritsky will make his second appearance on the Contender Series
after being submitted by Mike Malott in 39 seconds last season.
Goff, meanwhile, is a two-division CES MMA champion on a five-fight
winning streak. Mark Smith will oversee the welterweight clash.
Goff takes the center early and is throwing out leg kicks. But it’s
Smotritsky who floors Goff with a high kick within the bout’s 30
seconds. Smotritsky swarms with ground-and-pound, but Goff is up to
his feet. Smotritsky tries another high kick but Goff catches it.
Smotritsky is doing well landing kicks and knees, as Goff already
has a cut under his eye. A hard body kick smacks home for
Smotritsky, but Goff is undeterred. Goff absorbs a knee and shoots
for a single leg against the fence. Smotritsky is on a knee and
then he stands up and pushes Goff off the fence. They separate and
get back to striking. Smotritsky forces a tie up behind a
combination, but Goff turns him around and throws a couple elbows.
They separate quickly and Goff wades forward, throwing heavy
punches — with some landing. Goff seems to have turned the tables
and Smotritsky is rocked by more heavy punches from Goff.
Goff continues to unload with left and right hands, and Smotritsky
can do little more than cover up as the onslaught continues.
Smotritsky falls to the canvas and Smith steps in to wave off the
contest. It’s an impressive comeback for Goff after being
dropped early.

The Official Result

Billy Goff def. Shimon Smotritsky via TKO (Punches) R1 3:37

Round 1

Heavyweights are on tap, as Legacy Fighting Alliance champion — and
former minor league pitching prospect — Cortes-Acosta locks horns
with Ares FC title holder Danilo Suzart. Herb Dean will oversee the
big-man battle. Suzart takes the center and looks to close the
distance while utilizing some decent head movement. Both men are
swinging heavy leather right away. Cortes-Acosta is having some
early success with his jab. Cortes-Acosta puts a combination
together, and he’s landing with more volume in the early going.
Suzart wades forward and lands to the body. A straight right lands
and backs up Suzart. Suzart covers up and Cortes-Acosta flurries
with a series of punches before forcing the clinch. The Dominican
fighter lands a hard knee to the gut and a right hand over the top.
Another right hand lands for Cortes-Acosta, as Suzart’s back
remains against the cage. Cortes-Acosta briefly separates and
unloads with a combination before clinching again. An uppercut
followed by a glancing right hand on the break sends Suzart
tumbling to the floor.
From there, Cortes-Acosta powers Suzart to the canvas before he can
regain his footing and tees off on his turtled foe, ending the bout
with eight to 10 unanswered right hands to the head.

The Official Result

Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Danilo Suzart via TKO (Punches) R1
3:40

Round 1

In featherweight action, undefeated Kurt Pellegrino protege
Marshall will face fellow unbeaten Matthews, who has stopped each
of his first five opponents inside of a round. Mark Smith is the
third man in the cage. A right hand lands for Matthews and Marshall
answers with a low kick. Both men showcase quick hands during an
exchange. Matthews with a solid leg kick. Marshall changes levels
and briefly gets a takedown, but Matthews uses a guillotine to
return to his feet. Both men exchange spiritedly for a few moments
following the scramble. Marshall puts together a nice combination.
He has a takedown stuffed by Matthews but follows up with a nice
right hook. Another calf kick lands for Matthews. Marshall with a
quck two-piece combination and he then shoves Matthews into the
fence. They jockey for position and Matthews is able to break free.
Marshall is accurate with straight punches, but Matthews answers
with a stiff jab. Another combination lands for Marshall and an
ensuing right hand seems to wobble Matthews. Marshall presses the
action and Matthews fires back. Marshall changes levels and slams
Matthews down. Marshall looks to take his man’s back as Matthews
stands. Marshall gets both hooks in and drags his opponent to the
floor. Matthews is doing a good job fighting the hands with about a
minute to go. Matthews defends and then scrambles to his feet,
where Marshall shoves him into the fence. Marshall drives for
another takedown but is unsuccessful before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Marshall lands a nice straight right early. Moments later, another
right buckles Matthews and Marshall closes the distance. Matthews
drops for a heel hook. Marshall escapes and assumes top position
near the fence. Matthews works his way up and Marshall grinds him
into the cage. Matthews reverses position and then separates. A
calf kick lands for Matthews. Marshall rocks Matthews with a
two-punch combo and transitions nicely to a takedown. Now, Marshall
drops elbows from half guard, and Mark Smith is taking a close
look, warning Matthews to fight back. Matthews is bleeding
profusely from a cut on the bridge of his nose. He works his way up
only to be grounded again right away by Marshall. Marshall is now
working inside his foe’s full guard, and he drives his forearm into
Matthew’s face. Matthews tries to stay active from his back with
punches, while Marshall drops an elbow. Matthews throws up his
guard to threaten with submissions, but Marshall is able to
navigate the legs of his opponent without issue. He passes to half
guard and drops more short elbows on Matthews. Matthews regains
full guard. Marshall postures up to land more punches and elbows
before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Marshall sticks a couple jabs and pressures forward. Matthews fires
back and they continue to trade. Matthews goes back to the calf
kick. Matthews lands another low kick and Marshall responds with a
punching combination. The pace has slowed in this round, but
Marshall is still finding the range on periodic combinations. A jab
connects for Matthews. Marshall lunges in and misses the mark with
a big right. A right hand lands clean for Marshall, and he follows
up with a left hook. That puts Matthews on the retreat and Marshall
is in hot pursuit, firing more offense. Marshall tags Matthews with
more straight rights and an uppercut, but Matthews is able to
circle out of danger just as it appeared he might be stopped.
Marshall sticks another clean combination, then moves out of
danger. Matthews finds the range on a left hook, but Marshall
answers with multiple punches. Both men land in the waning seconds,
but Marshall again gets the better of one final exchange.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27
Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)

The Official Result

Francis Marshall def. Connor Matthews via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Round 1

Australia’s Ross has won five of his last six outings, while
Brazil’s Salvador has won four of five heading into this flyweight
scrap. Herb Dean will officiate the bout. Salvador opens with an
unusual leg kick. The Brazilian has a loose stance, keeping his
hands low. A glancing left connects for Alvador. Ross counters a
low kick to briefly back his man up. A hard leg kick lands for
Salvador. Salvador misses a jumping knee with two left hands, the
second of which drops Ross. Ross survives the ensuing onslaught and
returns to his feet. He throws heavy punches with his back to the
fence, but it’s Salvador mixing up punches and knees. Salvador
lands a cartwheel kick. Ross shakes it off and sticks a 1-2.
Another right lands clean for Ross. Ross continues to find the mark
with his right hand, and he’s gained the respect of his opponent a
little bit. They trade in close quarters and Salvaor ends a
combination with a knee. Salvador is pressuing with heavy hooks,
and Ross answers. A straight right to the body lands for Ross and
he backs Salvador into the fence and is dropped by a counter. Ross
recovers quickly and thee flyweights trade blows in what has been a
wild round. They clinch against the fence and Ross follows an elbow
with a flurry of uppercuts. They continue to trade in close
quarters until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Salvador
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Salvador
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Salvador

Round 2

Ross takes the center of the cage early. Salvador with an
unorthodox low kick. Ross has a body kick blocked. Another leg kick
lands for Salvador, and Ross catches the cup of his opponent with a
kick of his own. Time is called, and the action resumes in short
order. Salvador lands a straight left hand. A hard body kick
connects for Ross. Ross rushes in and lands a glancing high kick.
Another body kick for Ross. Salvador forces the clinch and lands a
knee. Salvador tries to wave Ross forward with his back to the
fence, but Ross isn’t having it. They trade in the center of the
cage and Ross holds his arms outstretched, urging his foe on. Ross
lands several right hands as he forces the action. Ross sticks a
two-punch combo and stalks Salvador, who is trying to be evasive
with his back to the fence. Out of nowhere, Salvador tags Ross with
a clean right hook to the chin and “The Turkish Delight” is on
wobbly legs.
Salvador swarms on his reeling opponent, teeing off with hooks and
mixing in a body shot for good measure. Ross falls to the canvas
from the assault and Dean steps in before any more damage can be
done.

The Official Result

Vinicius de Almeida Salvador def. Shannon Ross via TKO (Punches) R2
4:22

Round 1

Longo Weidman MMA representative Campbell squares off against
Scotland’s Duncan, who will be getting his second shot on the
Contender Series. Mark Smith will ref the evening’s featured
pairing. Duncan opens up with a pair of heavy low kicks. Campbell
catches Duncan coming forward and drops him with a counter right.
It might have been a slip, as Duncan is right back up. Duncan with
a pair of body kicks and Campbell lands a low kick in response.
Duncan continues to work with the heavy leg kicks. Campbell
connects with a straight right to the body. Campbell clips Duncan,
and the Scot shoots. Campbell turns up the heat with heavy right
hands and a pair of brutal uppercuts. Duncan seems to be on his
last legs as he shoots out of desperation. He clings to a leg but
can’t get it. Campbell pushes him away and moves forward for the
kill.
Suddenly, Duncan puts his foe on his back with a clean counter
right hand on the chin and dives in for the finish, knocking
Campbell unconscious with a pair of follow-up shots. What a
spectacular comeback and knockout for Duncan, who moments earlier
appeared to be on the verge of being stopped.

The Official Result

Chris Duncan def. Charlie Campbell via KO (Punches) R1 1:43