Dana White’s Contender Series 2023 Week 10 Play-by-Play and Results

Round 1

The 2023 season closer opens up with a bantamweight clash between
Bittencourt and Rocha, whose five-pound weight miss last week
forced the postponement and weight class change here. The referee
is Mike Beltran. Bittencourt launches himself across the cage
immediately with a flying front kick that comes up short.
Bittencourt chases down Rocha, who circles out and tags him with a
hard jab. Bittencourt shoots a takedown from far outside and Rocha
sprawls well, but Bittencourt turns the corner and takes his back.
Rocha gets up and Bittencourt launches him with a belly-to-back
slam. Rocha makes his way back up and Bittencourt repeats the
high-amplitude slam. Two minutes down and Bittencourt is still
stuck to Rocha’s back. Rocha finally spins away and disengages, and
Bittencourt catches him with a spinning back kick. Bittencourt
changes levels and drives Rocha into the fence. Rocha does a good
job of keeping Bittencourt off of his hips, but Bittencourt adjusts
and takes his back standing once again. Bittencourt spins Rocha
down to the canvas, and when Rocha stands, he trips him to the mat
again for what the announcers say is the sixth takedown this round.
Bittencourt gets back mount and sinks both hooks. He looks for a
choke but Rocha spins into his guard, then stands right before the
horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt

Round 2

Bittencourt lands first, an inside leg kick. He shoots from too far
outside and Rocha sprawls easily.
As Bittencourt gets back up and lunges forward for another takedown
attempt, Rocha drills him with a flush knee to the head that puts
him out, face down on the canvas. Rocha dives in with
follow-up strikes, but Beltran is there in an instant to stave off
further punishment.

The Result

Lucas Rocha def. Davi Bittencourt R2 0:18 via KO (Knee and
Punches)

Round 1

It’s Texas by way of Colorado against Chechnya by way of Belgium,
as Mederos and Isakov face off under the supervision of referee
Herb Dean. Isakov is orthodox, Mederos switching stances
constantly. Mederos lands a nice low kick. Isakov shoots a
takedown, drags Mederos to all fours, and slides around to take the
back as he stands. They make their way to the fence, where Mederos
tries to peel him off. Isakov elevates him for a slam but can’t
finish, as Mederos manages to keep his feet under him. Two minutes
in, Mederos spins out of standing back control and nails Isakov
with a knee to the body as they disengage. Mederos tags Isakov with
a straight right. As Isakov enters the pocket, Mederos hits him
with a short right, then a chopping leg kick that elicits a stance
switch. Mederos goes to the calf again, then again. Both of
Isakov’s legs are showing the damage. Mederos lands a leg kick
followed by a two-piece upstairs. Isakov comes forward and is
stopped short by a front kick to the body.
Isakov comes forward, changes levels and runs right into an
intercepting knee that knocks him stiff. Isakov falls back into the
fence and Mederos swarms for the finish, but Dean is on the spot
for the TKO stoppage. Sensational finish for Marquel
Mederos, and we’re off to the races with two straight knee
knockouts so far tonight.

The Result

Marquel Mederos def. Issa Isakov R1 4:09 via TKO (Knee and
Punches)

Round 1

Mike Beltran is the ref in this middleweight affair and he needs to
watch himself as the hulking Finney barrels forward immediately.
After a couple of clattering exchanges in the pocket, Finney drops
levels, hoists Panferov off his feet and carries him around the
cage for several full seconds before depositing him on the canvas.
Panferov is immediately squirming and scrambling toward the fence
and Finney works from his half guard. Panferov stands against the
fence and Finney moves to take the back. Panferov denies him the
outside hook, turns his back and works to break Finney’s grip.
Panferov spins into Finney, who drops for an immediate single-leg.
Panferov counters perfectly and Finney can’t finish. They disengage
and Panferov nails Finney with a pair of punches that stumble him.
Finney grabs a double-leg, elevates Panferov and dumps him back to
the mat. Panferov again does not concede the position, scooting
back to the fence, standing and shoving Finney off. Finney powers
through and lands on top in half guard, where Panferov grabs a
kimura and uses it to stand. He makes it back to his feet and tags
Finney with punches that rock him once more. Finney goes for
another takedown and gets it, but Panferov is getting back to his
feet at the horn, using a kimura once again.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Panferov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Panferov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Panferov

Round 2

Finney shoots from the outside and Panferov sprawls beautifully,
getting his hips far out of the way. Finney pursues, re-shoots and
gets a single-leg which he uses to ground Panferov at the base of
the fence. Panferov bounces right up but Finney is stuck to his
back. Panferov spins away and disengages, and Finney shoots a
double-leg. Finney elevates his man, carries him across the cage
and deposits him on the ground. As Panferov works to get back up,
Finney smashes him with several hard ground punches. Panferov gives
up his back and Finney goes for a rear-naked choke. It isn’t under
the chin, but the squeeze looks absolutely crushing anyway.
Panferov guts it out, fights the hands off and scrambles out from
under Finney.
Finney is stuck right to him, though, follows and drags him back to
the floor, hopping on the taller man’s back. He sinks the hooks,
flattens his man out prone and cinches up another rear-naked choke.
This time it’s across the throat and Panferov is tapping
instantly. Relentless work on the ground by Torrez
Finney.

The Result

Torrez Finney def. Yuri Panferov R2 2:43 via Submission (Rear-Naked
Choke)

Round 1

Farias is orthodox, Matthews southpaw as the featherweights engage
at referee Herb Dean’s direction. There is a solid 40 seconds of
feeling-out as they exchange single kicks and punches at range.
Matthews ducks under a Farias combo for a quick takedown. He lands
on top but Farias elevates him and launches a pair of upkicks.
Matthews evades them and dives back in, threatening to take Farias’
back. Farias manages to stick him back into half guard. Farias goes
for a half-guard sweep and gets back to his feet, but Matthews
snares him in a front headlock. Rather than go for the choke from
there, he spins to Farias’ back, where he works to sink a hook and
set up a choke. Farias sits at the base of the fence and peels
Matthews off of him. They separate and Farias tags Matthews with a
pair of punches. Matthews steps in and rocks Farias with a hard
left. Farias recovers quickly and goes back to work with his
one-two. He lands a glancing left, but Matthews returns fire with a
harder right. Farias sticks a front kick into Matthews’ gut, then
lands a hard outside leg kick. Farias hurts Matthews with a trio of
punches, and Matthews is reeling across the cage. Farias pours it
on and Matthews is in trouble, but he recovers and evades the worst
of it, getting a takedown in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Farias
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Farias
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Farias

Round 2

Matthews is slightly unsteady on his feet to open the round, and he
runs right into Farias’ first salvo of punches. Farias follows up
with another combo and Matthews backs up. Matthews catches Farias
with a punch on the way in that stops him in his tracks. Farias
shakes it off and returns fire. Farias goes upstairs with a
one-two. Matthews backs Farias up to the cage and launches a head
kick that lands flush with a loud knock. Farias seems not to be too
badly hurt, coming forward and throwing punches, but Matthews ducks
under them and hauls him back to the canvas. Matthews slides to the
back and sinks his hooks. He’s very high on the Brazilian’s back as
Farias tripods, and Matthews switches to a triangle attempt. He
eventually bails on it and they return to the feet. Farias is
breathing with his mouth open as they separate, though he is still
throwing hands. Matthews marches him to the fence and tags him with
a kick to the body, then another. Matthews shoots a double-leg and
tries to haul Farias down, but Farias uses the fence to stay
standing. He shucks Matthews off, and Matthews nails him with a
hard punch on the break. Farias shakes his head as if to indicate
he is unhurt, but he is looking very fatigued. Matthews chops at
the lead leg with a pair of low kicks. The round ends with Matthews
pursuing and throwing, as Farias gives ground.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 3

Matthews is the aggressor to open Round 3, coming forward and
throwing a front kick to the midsection. Farias lands a low kick,
and Matthews hits him with a right to the chest. Matthews back
Farias up to the cage and hits him with another front kick to the
body, followed by a pair of punches up top. Farias hits Matthews
with another low kick. Matthews appears much the fresher man, 90
seconds into the final round. He is bouncing and throwing
combinations, while Farias comes back with single strikes. Farias
suddenly comes to life, sticking Matthews with a pair of hard low
kicks and a straight right. Matthews drops for a takedown and gets
Farias down easily. Farias gets back up and gets shoved to the
fence, where Matthews bends at his waist and looks to throw
punches. A warning from Dean that Farias is grounded leads to a
moment of confusion, but they re-engage immediately. Farias spins
towards Matthews and shoves him off and they break, returning to
the center of the cage. Farias lands a one-two and a low kick, and
now it’s Matthews who looks fatigued. Matthews tries for a
takedown, but Farias stands him back up with underhooks. Farias
comes forward and the two men flurry in boxing range. The horn
sounds on a close, competitive fight.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Farias (29-28 Farias)

The Result

Connor Matthews def. Jair Farias via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 29-28)

Round 1

The improbably named Zenidim takes on his countryman Lima in a
matchup of 24-year-old Brazilian prospects. Mike Beltran draws the
referee assignment for this flyweight affair. Both fighters are in
orthodox and Zenidim lands first with an inside low kick. Lima
returns serve with an outside leg kick. Lima lands a kick to the
body, and Zenidim touches with another leg kick. Zenidim dives in
with a huge overhand right that glances. Lima with another body
kick, then a low kick. Zenidim throws a low kick which Lima checks.
Two minutes in, and both men have scored primarily with the feet.
Lima tags Zenidim with an inside low kick. Lima is stalking,
working to cut off the cage and corner Zenidim, who is sliding
laterally around the outside of the cage. Lima intercepts that
lateral movement with a herding kick that would make Matt Brown
proud. Lima with another leg kick. Zenidim is avoiding the worst of
Lima’s kicks, but at the expense of almost all of his own offense.
Zenidim catches Lima with a clean counter right. Lima lands a low
kick, then a hard right cross, maybe his best punch of the round so
far. Zenidim is back on his bike in the final 30 seconds. He
complains that a body kick strayed low, but declines a break in the
action. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 2

The second round picks up right where Round 1 left off, with
Zenidim sliding round the perimeter while Lima stalks forward,
reaching out with kicks. Lima tags Zenidim with outside low kicks
to both sides, the misses with a huge front kick up the middle.
Zenidim nails Lima with a body kick. Lima goes back to pursuit,
trying to corral Zenidim with kicks, and throws his hands up in
frustration at Zenidim’s continued avoidance. Zenidim times Lima’s
next advance and takes him down, but Lima quickly sweeps to top
position. He sets up in Zenidim’s guard, but stands up seconds
later and motions his foe back up. They return to chipping away
with kicks, with Lima throwing and landing with greater frequency.
Under two minutes to go, and only one of these fighters seems to be
bent on having a fight. Zenidim moves laterally at the edge of the
cage, and is caught with a glancing head kick from Lima. Lima
switches stances and throws another low kick. Zenidim comes forward
and lands a right hand to the chest. Lima returns fire with a
harder torso punch of his own, the last significant strike of the
round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 3

Echoing all of us, Zenidim’s corner implores him between rounds to
stop running and start boxing. He goes right back to moving
laterally near the Octagon “warning track,” same as he has done for
most of the first 10 minutes. Lima gives chase, and is definitely
the aggressor, but his own offense at this point is limited mostly
to low kicks as Zenidim changes direction. Lima throws a hard front
kick to the midsection that lands. He switches stances and throws
another front kick that lands as well, if not as solidly. Lima goes
back to the front kick well one more time, and this one lands—to
the cup of Zenidim, unfortunately. After a timeout and a stern
warning in Spanish from Beltran, they engage once again. Zenidim
dashes forward behind a flurry of punches and drives Lima all the
way to the opposite fence, where they clinch. Lima spins away from
the fence and trips Zenidim to the floor, where he sets up in
guard, throwing short punches. Zenidim begins to work for a hip
escape, but is trapped against the cage and forced to cover up as
Lima throws a stream of leather. Zenidim gets out of the corner of
the fence, but ends up on bottom, with Lima on top, punching him
from half guard. Zenidim tries to explode up with 20 seconds left,
and Lima ensnares him in a guillotine choke, wrapping up his guard
and falling to his back looking for the last-second finish. He
can’t get it, and Zenidim pops his head out and escapes before the
final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)

The Result

Andre Lima def. Rickson Thai Zenidim Bueno via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Round 1

Taveras, who lost by TKO in an early stoppage on Week 5, looks to
make the best of his do-over here against Romious. Herb Dean
oversees the bantamweight main attraction. The two waste no time in
marching forward and throwing with nasty intent. Both men are in
orthodox stance, but it barely matters because they are standing
fully squared up, throwing heat with both hands. Taveras tags
Romious with a hard left that knocks him to one knee. Romious
springs back up and engages immediately, and Taveras calmly snipes
him with a clean right hand that stumbles him badley.

Romious chooses to bite down on the mouthguard and swing back, and
Taveras nails him with another left hand that drops him where he
stands, badly hurt. Taveras dives in with a huge standing-to-ground
hammerfist to Romious‘ face, then lands another from his
knees. Dean has seen enough, and dives in for the
stoppage. Romious sits up and protests briefly, but he is still
wobbly as Taveras kneels in tearful celebration.

The Result

Ramon Taveras def. Cortavious Romious R1 0:33 via TKO
(Punches)