Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 Week 2 Play-by-Play & Results

Round 1

Kicking off the card, Tajikistan’s Muin Gafurov (16-3), a long-time
veteran of ONE at only 25 years old, is a prohibitive favorite
against Canada’s Chad Anheliger (10-5), all five of whose losses
have come by submission. Referee Mike Beltran gets the assignment.
Gafurov lands a thunderous leg kick to start, spinning Anheliger
around. Anheliger lands one of his own, although it isn’t as
powerful. Gafurov shoots in on a very deep low double-leg and
converts it. Anheliger does, however, manage to scoot to the fence.
Gafurov is wise to it, however, and tries to turn him around.
Anheliger builds up his base against the cage, but Gafurov has a
nice rear waist-lock, looking to take him back down. Gafurov lands
a knee to the thigh. Gafurov eventually scores on a mat return and
gets one hook in. He partially flattens out Anheliger, who
scrambles, but Gafurov has his back. Anheliger tries to scramble
and almost gets armbarred, but Gafurov ends up in full mount.
Anheliger keeps turning, and now his back is taken again. However,
Anheliger is undeterred, and he eventually gets out! Gafurov holds
onto a guillotine, but is now on his own back, with the Canadian in
side control! Nice sub defense by Anheliger! he decides to rise to
his feet, where they resume striking. Anheliger lands a big short
knee, which hurts Gafurov! Gafurov absorbs a bunch of punches from
top position from Anheliger, who is just eating them before finally
tying up his opponent. Anheliger, however, lands several hard
elbows inside the guard. Anheliger postures up, and eventually
Gafurov uses it to get back up. Gafurov lands a knee to the body of
his own. They clinch along the fence. This round has been fought at
a furious pace! As the round comes to a close, they trade knees to
the body.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger

Round 2

Anheliger begins the second round with a jab. He then lands a
second and then a third one, as Gafurov is purely looking to dodge.
Anheliger lands a light leg kick. Gafurov shoots in on another deep
double-leg, and he gets it, although Anheliger is looking for a
guillotine. He doesn’t have it, and soon gives up on the submission
attempt. Gafurov lands a solid punch from the top, but not long
after, Anheliger scrambles again, and uses the ensuing confusion to
try to wall-walk back up. Gafurov continues holding on, but
Anheliger gets to his feet. Gafurov continues pressing, however,
and trips him back down to the canvas. Gafurov has the back now, as
Anheliger continues trying to spin to get out. Eventually, he
manages to turn into the man from Tajikistan and he is again on
top! Gafurov soon gets up, but Anheliger nails him with an elbow.
Gafurov comes back with a couple of solid punches of his own, and
as they fire toe-to-toe, they throw knees at the same time, and
Gafurov’s is very low. Referee Mike Beltran calls time. They
reconvene, and Anheliger circles on the perimeter of the cage.
Gafurov soon clinches, grinding for a takedown, and gets a nice
pick-up and slam! Gafurov is in half-guard, but is a little more
reticent about passing now, given how well his opponent has
scrambled. Gafurov lands a few small forearms, but nothing
significant. Anheliger tries to get up, but Gafurov pushes him back
down, and lands a punch. Gafurov is looking for a possible kimura
attempt, but Anheliger is defending well enough. He looks for the
kimura as the round ends, and lands a few punches as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Gafurov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gafurov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gafurov

Round 3

They touch gloves to begin the final stanza. Anheliger lands a
solid body kick that partially gets through. Gafurov partially
lands an overhand right and immediately uses it to clinch. He is
working against the cage again, as Anheliger defends for dear life.
Anheliger widens his base well, and Gafurov has to work for his
takedown. An initial attempt at a lift is blocked by the Canadian
fighter, as Gafurov continues to press, regardless. Eventually he
bails and lands a right hook on his way out. Anheliger comes
forward and Gafurov shoots again, only to be stuffed. They trade
jabs. Anheliger lands a light leg kick, mostly checked. This is
anyone’s round, and likely, anyone’s fight! Anheliger lands a jab,
and then another light leg kick. They clinch and Anheliger
partially lands a few knees, as Gafurov comes forward again to
clinch. Anheliger breaks free and throws punches, although Gafurov
evades them. Anheliger lands another jab. Gafurov punches his way
on the inside again, clinching hard. He tries for another lift, but
he is again unsuccessful. He tries for an outside reap, but
Anheliger stays upright. They disengage, and Anheliger lands a nice
right cross soon after, the best connect of the round. Gafurov goes
for an outside trip, but he is out of position against the cage,
and Anheliger ends up on top! Gafurov turns around, giving
Anheliger a wrestling ride, but he doesn’t take advantage, and both
men stand with a minute left. Gafurov partially lands a right hand
and clinches again. Now it’s Anheliger turning him around!
Anheliger lands a knee to the body, and then Gafurov misses an
uppercut as he backs out to range. With 15 seconds left, both men
are very tired. However, it’s Anheliger landing a nice combination
as the fight ends! A gutsy performance by the huge underdog
Anheliger, who I believe has won this contest.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger (29-28 Anheliger)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger (29-28 Anheliger)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Anheliger (29-28 Anheliger)

The Official Result

Chad Anheliger def. Muin Gafurov via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
29-28)

Round 1

In our second bantamweight affair, the oddsmakers have Brazil’s
Salmon Oliveira (17-3) as a small favorite against Mexico’s Jose
Alday (13-5-1). Oliveira has an amazing 16 finishes in 17
victories, but hasn’t fought the same caliber of opposition as
Alday. Referee Mike Beltran will preside. Oliveira lands a leg kick
to start, but misses a second one. He tries for a head-kick, but
Alday evades. Oliveira partially lands a spinning backfist. He goes
forward for another head kick, but slips. Alday is looking to
counter with hooks, but thus far, the few he has thrown have
missed. Oliveira goes for another head kick, but it’s blocked.
Alday counters with a nice right hand soon after, as Oliveira keeps
coming forward. Oliveira throws a jab and then another spinning
backfist, but he catches nothing but air. On an exchange, however,
Oliveira catches Alday with a right. Oliveira lands a leg kick soon
after. Alday then goes for a head kick of his own, and it partially
gets through. Oliveira goes for another spinning backfist, but it’s
again unsuccessful, and he eats a punch soon after. Oliveira
telegraphs a takedown attempt, and in a clinch, picks Alday up and
gets him down. Commentator Daniel Cormier was very unimpressed at
that entry. From his back, Alday lands a few elbows, as Oliveira is
doing very little from the top. Oliveira manages to get to
half-guard, as Alday starts to posture up with about 75 seconds
left. Oliveira switches sides and gets to side-control. Oliveira is
possibly setting up an arm triangle, but isn’t throwing strikes.
The round ends with Oliveira on top.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira

Round 2

Oliveira begins the round with kicks, first to the legs and then
the head, though both are blocked. Oliveira misses another spinning
backfist, but then lands on a leg kick. Alday throws a couple of
jabs, but Oliveira dodges them. Alday lands a nice hook to the body
though, possibly his best connect of the fight. Alday lands a
couple of leg kicks. Oliveira then comes forward to grapple. Alday
defends better now, and is the one pushing the Brazilian against
the fence. They trade knees in the clinch, and eventually, Oliveira
turns Alday around. Alday soon returns the favor, turning Oliveira
back around. They trade more knees, and finally push off one
another. Alday partially gets a jab through and then another hook
to the body. Oliveira comes forward with a jumping knee but he
misses. Oliveira lands a leg kick, but then eats a punch. Alday
throws a jab and then partially gets a left hook through. Alday
lands a very big leg kick that hurts Oliveira badly, stumbling him.
Oliveira continues attacking like a maniac, first with a jumping
knee and then a barrage of punches, all of which miss. Oliveira
then clinches. Alday looks more energetic in the position, landing
a couple of knees. Alday then connects with a jab. Oliveira goes
for a big, telegraphed overhand right which misses by about a foot.
Alday lands another huge leg kick that stumbles Oliveira. Oliveira
comes forward and they exchange punches, but none land flush.
Oliveira lands a leg kick of his own. Alday lands a left hook to
the body but misses a right cross upstairs. Alday lands another
jab. Oliveira fires a couple of punches, but Alday easily dodges
them. Oliveira clinches and lands a knee, but is unable to get a
takedown as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Alday
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alday
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Alday

Round 3

Oliveira goes for a flying switch-kick to begin the final stanza
and he actually connects, but there isn’t much power in the blow.
Oliveira lands a solid leg kick soon after. On a punch exchange,
Oliveira clips Alday, but instead of continuing to strike, takes
the opportunity to clinch, pick Alday up and get him down. Oliveira
is in half-guard trying to pass, but Alday retains full guard.
Oliveira lands a few small punches to the body, as referee Mike
Beltran extorts them to work. Oliveira finally opens up, landing
two solid punches against Alday. Alday, however, uses the
opportunity to wall-walk back up as they clinch against the fence.
Oliveira lands a few knees. Alday is the one going for an outside
trip, but it doesn’t work and they separate again. They fire off
punches, but nothing singificant lands. Both men then trade jabs,
but Oliveira gets the better of it. Oliveira shoots in for another
double-leg and succeeds in getting Alday back to the canvas, this
time near the center of the cage. Alday goes for a possible
omoplatta, but Oliveira defends it easily. With a minute left,
Oliveira is content to largely ride this one out from the top. He
lands a few glancing punches, and after trying to pass,
interestingly decides to stand back up with 30 seconds left,
proving me wrong! Alday fires a few head kicks, but they’re all
blocked. Oliveira hurts him with a punch and comes forward, but is
unable to land a knockout blow. Alday fires some punches of his own
as the fight ends, but they’re solidly blocked.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)

The Official Result

Saimon Oliveira def. Jose Alday via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
29-28)

Round 1

Coming up, we have perhaps the most talent-laden fight of the card
and possibly the entire season, as outstanding striker and
long-time Bellator mainstay Chidi Njokuani (19-7) is even money
against tremendous Brazilian talent Mario Filipe de Sousa (12-1),
who is an amazing 6′ 5″ at middleweight and 11 of whose victories
have come by stoppage. Sousa’s lone decision win was in last year’s
DWTNCS against previously undefeated Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz. Despite
it being an excellent fight, one of the best of the season, Sousa
wasn’t offered a contract, probably because Dana White interprets a
decision win as not being enough of a “killer”. Referee Herb Dean
will be the third man in the cage. Sousa begins with a nice front
kick that lands. Njokuani responds with a lightning-fast leg kick,
although Sousa partially checks it. Sousa goes upstairs for a
vivious head kick but it misses. A very powerful leg kick, however,
lands for the Brazilian. So far, they have thrown only kicks so
far! Sousa misses a few kicks, and then blocks a Njokuani leg kick.
Sousa lands another big leg kick, although Njokuani doesn’t appear
hurt. Njokuani sticks Sousa with a front push-kick as the Brazilian
advances. Sousa goes for a head kick and spinning backfist, both of
which miss. Njokuani partially lands a leg kick. They exchange leg
kicks, but it’s Njokuani who falls. Sousa comes forward and
Njokuani decides to clinch. Njokuani lands a few solid knees,
although Sousa is defending fairly well against the Muy Thai
striker. Sousa fires a big knee of his own, but it’s low, right on
the cup, with a thud that even the microphones audibly pick up.
Njokuani is in obvious pain as he gets a while to recover. Njokuani
takes his time, pacing back and forth. After over two and a half
minutes, they resume. Njokuani fires off a powerful body kick, but
Sousa blocks it. Sousa goes for a leg kick, but Njokuani checks it
this time. Sousa comes forward with a punch and partially lands it.
He charges forward and lands another illegal, low knee, getting a
takedown from it. Njokuani quickly wall-walks back up, though. They
go back to exchanging knees in the clinch. It’s not long, however,
before Sousa lands another knee low, and there is once again a
break in the action. Njokuani takes longer this time, reasonable
considering he has eaten three huge low blows already, as the 3
minute mark comes and goes. He decides to resume as Herb Dean takes
one point away, although I would argue two points might have been
warranted. They trade leg kicks and Njokuani lands a body kick.
Njokuani lands a nice front kick to the body and then follows up
with a jab. They soon clinch, and Sousa overextends, ending up with
Njokuani on top. Njokuani lands an elbow from the top, as he moves
to half-guard. Sousa lands a few hammerfists from the bottom.
Njokuani ends the round with a hard elbow.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-8 Njoukauni
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Njoukauni
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Njoukauni

Round 2

Njokuani barely misses a 1-2 but he soon lands a nice front-kick.
Njokuani lands a solid punch and Sousa immediately clinches.
Njokuani lands a couple of knees in the clinch. He then follows it
up with several more solid ones to the body. Sousa desperately
grapples, looking for a leg, but he is unable to convert. However,
Sousa eventually forces one through. Njokuani is undeterred,
however, and immediately reverses him, landing right back in
half-guard. Sousa works to get Njokuani off, but the striker stays
on top of him. Sousa angles for a possible armbar, but Njokuani
nips it in the bud. Sousa keeps trying to scramble, but Njokuani
stays tough on top. Halfway through the round, and Njokuani begins
pelting Sousa with hard elbows. Sousa is clearly bothered and
desperately tries to move away, although he eats some punches in
the process. Eventually, Sousa is able to lessen the barrage.
Njokuani takes his time now, landing the occasional hard elbow,
punch, or hammerfist, based on the opportunity. Sousa moves to his
elbow, but that just makes it easier for Njokuani, who batters him
with powerful, accurate elbows. Sousa just eats the big blows.
Njokuani lands a few body punches. Sousa goes for a possible heel
hook, but Njokuani immediately gets out and goes back to the guard.
Njokuani postures up and lands a hammerfist. Sousa spins for a
possible leglock, but only ends up with Njokuani in a wrestling
ride, pounding away with punches. Very dominant round for the
veteran striker.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Njokuani
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Njokuani
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Njokuani

Round 3

Sousa is very tired to begin the round, throwing some wild, sloppy
punches. Njokuani soon clinches and lands several huge knees to the
body that cause Sousa to fall to the canvas. Sousa isn’t finished
yet, clinching for dear life. Njokuani lands a few solid body
punches, which Sousa simply eats. He then begins adding punches to
the head and then several hard elbows, as Sousa is simply covering
up, and with obvious exhaustion at that. Njokuani bides his time, and like a surgeon, splits
the Brazilian’s guard with pinpoint precision. After a hellacious
body punch, Sousa is hurt, and Njokuani pours it on with a series
of elbows upstairs to the head. Herb Dean mercifully stops it.
Tremendous performance by Chidi Njokuani, possibly the most
skilled, decorated fighter of the entire season, who absorbed three
huge low blows in round 1 and still finished his very tough,
skilled foe.

The Official Result

Chidi Njokuani def. Mario Filipe de Sousa via TKO (Punches and
Elbows) at 1:35 of Round 3

Round 1

In the main event, we have the two least-experienced fighters on
the card, as Josh Quinlan (5-0) is a considerable favorite against
Logan Urban (5-1) at welterweight. Urban took the fight on about 72
hours’ notice. Referee Mike Beltran gets the final call of the
night. Quinlan begins with a leg kick that barely lands. Quinlan
cracks Urban with a huge right cross to the temple, badly dazing
Urban, who is reeling and rocking. Quinlan smells blood and goes
forward throwing big power punches. It’s a risky strategy, opening
him up, but Urban is unable to recover. they clinch for a while,
but Quinlan continues punching on the inside. Urban tries to shoot,
but Quinlan easily defends. Quinlan then starches Urban with two huge right
hands behind the ear, and Urban slumps to the floor unconscious.
Another furious, impressive knockout. He will unquestionably get a
contract.

The Official Result

Josh Quinlan def. Logan Urban via KO (Punch) at 0:47 of Round 1

In a surprising twist, Dana White signs all five winners. So Chad
Anheliger, Carlos Vergara, Saimon Oliveira, Chidi Njokuani, and
Josh Quinlan all get contracts.