Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 Week 4 Play-by-Play & Results

Round 1

The lightweights touch glvoes and we’re underway, with Martinez
looking to apply pressure. Martinez lands a left hook, prompting
Rosales to shoot for a lw single leg, but Martinez defends nicely.
Rosales looks to attack the lead leg of his opponent, but Martinez
appears to be quicker to the punch in the early going. Rosales
grabs a leg and this time gets Martinez to the canvas. Rosales
works his way to the back as Martinez attempts to stand up. Rosales
maintains a waist lock, and Martinez is warned by Mike Beltran for
grabbing the fence as Rosales attempts to drag him back down. They
separate and return to the center of the cage. Rosales lands a nic
left hook to the body. Martinez counters a low kick with a glancing
right hand. Rosales moves forward and connects with a right hand.
Martinez answers with a jab to the chest. A leaping knee just
misses for Rosales. Another jab to the chest lands for Martinez,
and he follows up with a two-punch combination to the head. A left
hook connects for Martinez. Rosales sticks a couple jabs and then
dropos Martinez with about 10 seconds remaining. Rosales tees off
with punches as Martinez works his way back up. Martinez survives
the round, but that final exchange won the round for Rosales.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rosales
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rosales
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rosales

Round 2

Rosales with another big 1-2 to start the frame. Rosales lands a
low kick to the lead leg, then has a high kick blocked. Rosales
sticks another jab, then walks forward and tags Martinez with a
left hook. Rosales changes levels and takes his foe down near the
fence. Martinez quickly scrambles up. Martinez still throwing
plenty of strikes himself, working behind his jab and front kicks
to the knee. Rosales has a head kick blocked. Rosales lands a left
hook to the body, then Rosales with a nice combination to the head.
Martinez jabs to the body. A right uppercut-straight left cobo
lands for Martinez. Martinez follows a jab with a oblique kick to
the knee. Rosales misses with a standing elbow but lands a front
kick down the middle. Rosales changes levels against the fence, but
Martinez denies the shot and lands a combination as they separate.
Rosales finds the range on a jab, but Martinez answers with
multiple punches. Martinez with another oblique kick to the knee
before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez

Round 3

Both fighters land jabs early,, and then Martinez makes his foe
stumble with a leg kick. Martinez with a straight right to the
body, then jabs to the face. Another solid jab lands for Martinez.
Rosales shoots, but Martinez shucks him off and digs to the body.
Rosales may have an inury to his right hand or arm, which is
limiting his use of that limb. Martinez with another couple jabs.
Rosales lands a nice head kick, but Martinez is unfazed. Rosales is
using a lot more kicks now. Martinez sticks a solid 1-2
combination. Another solid jab for Martinez, and he eludes a high
kick from his opponent. Martinez rips the body with a left hook.
Rosales continues to move forward, but he’s throwing his left hand
almost exclusively. Another jab connects for Matinez. Martinez
denies a takedown attempt, then scores one of his own in the last
10 seconds. Martinez ends the round in top position.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28
Martinez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28 Martinez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28 Martinez)

The Official Result

Victor Martinez def. Jacob Rosales via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Round 1

Rodrigues takes the center of the Octagon at the outset. The
Brazilian opens with a spinning back kick to the midsection. A long
right hand connects for Rodrigues. Curatolo tries to close the
distance, but Rodrigues shucks him off with ease. Rodriguez fires a
front kick to the midsection, then has a high kick blocked. The
Brazilian kicks the inside lead leg of his opponent. Rodrigues
throws a leaping knee followed by a head kick before the flyweights
clinch. Curatolo lands a combinaiton on the break. The Brazilian
lands an inside leg kick. Another leg kick connects for Rodrigues.
A spinning wheel kick glances across Curatolo’s face. Another
spinning wheel kick is blocked. Rodrigues moves in close and
Curatolo answers with a punching combination. A straight left finds
a home for Rodrigues, who then digs to the body with a right hook.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 2

The taller Rodrigues again takes the center of the cage and attacks
with a leg kick and a body kick. The Brazilian is attacking with a
toolbox of kicks. Curatolo catches a capoeira-type kick, but he
lets the leg go and they’re still standing. Rodriuges moves in and
Curatolo counters with a two-punch combination. Another body kick
lands for Rodrigues, and Curatolo looks gunshy. Rodrigues follows
an inside leg kick with a flying knee, which allows Curatolo to
secure a body lock and a takedown. Rodrigues is up in short order.
Curatolo moves in with a multi-punch combination. Rodrigues goes
back to the body kick, but than an attempted leg kick lands to the
groin of Curatolo, and the action is paused. Curatolo takes about a
minute and the fight resumes. Rodrigues backs Curatolo into the
fence with a push kick, but the American answers with a
combination. They clinch in the center of the cage and Rodrigues
lands a pair of knees, then goes with a knee upstairs on the break.
The Brazilian flurries with punches and he is stalking Curatolo
against the fence. A failed flying knee allows Curatolo to tie his
foe up, and the round will end with him pushing Rodrigues into the
cage.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 3

Rodrigues sticks a jab, but Curatolo moves in and lands a left
hand. Rodrigues shrugs off a clinch attempt, and lands a two-punch
combination. Curatolo answers and cracks his foe with a shot of his
own. Rodrigues attacks the legs of his opponent, who is on the
outside of the cage. Rodrigues chops away with an inside low kick.
The rangier Brazilian is using a variety of kicks to keep Curatolo
off balance. Another inside leg kick makes Curatolo stumble
momentarily. Rodrigues lands a low kick and Curatolo catches it,
but lets the leg go. Rodrigues atempts the flying knee again and
they tie up, with the Brazilian shoving his foe into the fence.
From there, he lands a knee to the head and a vicious elbow. He’s
landing heavy offense in close quarters before jumping guard for a
guillotine. Curatolo is able to pop his head free, and know he’s on
top with about 1:20 remaining. Rodrigues uses the cage to return to
his feet. He breaks Curatolo’s grip and lands a heavy knee. A long
right hand connects for the former Jungle Fight champ. Rodrigues
ends the fight with a spinning back kick to the gut and then just
misses on a leaping knee before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues (30-27
Rodrigues)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues (30-27 Rodrigues)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues (30-27 Rodrigues)

The Official Result

Kleydson Rodrigues def. Santo Curatolo via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

Nguyen flicks out a high kick right away, but Rlayang blocks it.
Rlayang responds with a heavy leg kick. Another leg kick lands for
Rlayang. Nguyen stalks his man against the fence and lands a body
kick. Nguyen lands a nice jab, and then the featherweights trade
low kicks. Rlayang goes for a single leg but Nguyen denies it with
ease. Nguyen lands a leg kick. Rlayang lands a body kick. Nguyen
counters a low kick with a straight right hand. Nguyen with a left
hook, and Rlayang answers with an inside low kick. Nguyen stuffs a
takedown and Rlayang whiffs on a right hand. The featherweights
trade leg kicks again. Nguyen with a straight right hand. An
outside leg kick lands for Rlayang. Another straight right finds
the range for Nguyen. Nguyen continues to control the range until
the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen

Round 2

Rlayang grabs a leg, kicks out Nguyen’s standing leg and briefly
has a takedown. Nguyen scrambles back up immediately. Nguyen backs
up Rlayang and lands a straight right. Another straight right, and
now Nguyen is getting comfortable, as he lands several punches to
the head. Rlayang has a high kick blocked. A left hook-right hand
lands for Nguyen. Another stiff straight right finds the mark for
the Fortis MMA product. Nguyen walks Rlayang into the fence and
tags him with a right hand. Rlayang changes levels, turns Nguyen
off the fence and gets a takedown. Nguyen quickly reverses into top
posiition and has full mount against the fence. He lands a few
punches to the head and then lets Rlayang up. Another right lands
for Nguyen. Rlayang lands a chopping low kick. A body kick connects
for Rlayang. Nguyen follows a 1-2 combination with a low kick.
Nguyen with another solid series of punches. Rlayang answers with a
kick to the body, but this round belonged to Nguyen.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nguyen

Round 3

Rlayang opens up with a kick to the body. A front kick finds a home
for Rlayang, but Nguyen answers with a straight right. Rlayang
misses on an overhand, and Nguyen counters with a two-piece
combination. Rlayang looks to jump on Nguyen’s back, but his
opponent shucks him off. Nguyen snaps Rlayang’s head back with a
pair of jabs. Then Rlayang throws a kick that lands low, and the
action is halted. The fight quickly resumes. A jumping high kick by
Rlayang is blocked. Nguyen connects with an inside low kick. Nguyen
backs up Rlayang with a straight right hand. Nguyen pokes Rlayang
in the eye, and both fighters are warned to keep their hands
closed. Rlayang lands an outside leg kick. He then pressures
forward with a right uppercut that splits Nguyen’s guard. Rlayang
ups his aggression and misses a flying knee. A hard body kick lands
for Rlayang, and Nguyen answers with a body-head combination. A jab
lands for Nguyen, but Rlayang extends his fingers and pokes his
adversary in the eye. Mike Beltran pauses the action again before
taking a point from Rlayang. Nguyen connects with a jab, then
another. Rlayang attacks the inside leg of his opponent. Nguyen
moves forward and lands a two-punch combination.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Nguyen (30-26
Nguyen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Nguyen (30-26 Nguyen)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Nguyen (30-26 Nguyen)

The Official Result

Steven Nguyen def. Theo Rlayang via Unanimous Decision (29-27,
29-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Round 1

Veretennikov lands an inside low kick to begin the action. A lead
left hook finds the range for Veretennikov. Morales catches his foe
coming in and sticks a jab. A body kick lands for Morales and
Veretennikov answers with a low kick. Morales launches himself off
the fence for a Superman punch. Morales ducks under a punch and
secures a body lock. He pushes his opponent into the fence. They
separate and return to the center of the cage. A solid 1-2 connects
for Veretennikov. Morales presses forward with a low kick. An
inadvertent eye poke from Veretennikov prompts a pause in the bout.
Veretennikov lands a pair of solid punches to the face and Morales
shoots. Veretennikov defends, turns his man around and flurries
with some good shots. A Superman punch finds a home for Morales.
Veretennikov lands a jab and just mmisses a high kick. Veretennikov
has a body kick caught and then partially lands a spinning back
fist before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov

Round 2

Morales jumps off the cage and lands another Superman punch.
Veretennikov answers with a left hook. A left jab backs up Morales.
Morales explodes for a takedown and winds up in Veretennikov’s full
guard. Morales postures up and lands a pair of right hands. Referee
Mark Smith urges Morales to work from top position. Morales obliges
and picks up the intensity of his ground-and-pound. Veretennikov
gives up his back as he scrambles to his feet. Morales maintains a
rear waistlock and drags Veretennikov back down. Morales is now in
side control as Veretennikov attempts to push off the fence.
Veretennikov gets up and creates separation. Morales lets his hands
go, attacking with power punches to the head of his opponent.
Morales marches forward witih heavy hooks, prompting Veretennikov
to shoot. Morales sprawls and moves to the back of his foe.
Veretennikov is crouched on the mat, eating punches. Smith is
taking a close look. Veretennikov finally stands, and Morales ends
the round with the rear waistlock.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morales

Round 3

Morales flicks out his jab, then sticks another jab. Morales lands
an inside leg kci. Morales digs to the body, but Veretennikov fires
back as best as he can. They stand still in front of each other for
a moment and Morales yells at his adversary. Morales steps in with
an overhand right. Morales with a left to the body and a right to
the head, as he seems to be growing in confidence. Morales shoots
for a takedown and Veretennikov defends with his back against the
cage. Veretennikov reverses position and lands a knee to the chest.
Now Veretennikov is on top, and he dives into his foe’s guard. He
moves to side control and drops knees to the body. Morales looks to
scramble up, and Veretennikov can’t maintain the front head lock.
Veretennikov is on his knees, clinging to a single leg, but Morales
defends well and the fighters are in something of a stalemate.
Veretennikov won’t give up on the single leg, however. Morales
scrambles up, then lands a double leg with 30 seconds to go in the
fight. Morales postures up to land some ground-and-pound.
Veretennikov scrambles up, but Morales executes a big suplex and
follows up with some hammerfists just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28
Morales)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28 Morales)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28 Morales)

The Official Result

Michael Morales def. Nikolay Veretennikov via Unanimous Decision
(29-28, 29-28, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

The middleweights are trading heavy hands at the outset. They tie
up after a big exchagne and Dobson lands some knees in the clinch.
Arkhagha with a big right hand. Dobson drops his opponent with a
flurry of power punches and dives into top position. Dobson is
inside Arkhagha’s full guard, Arkhagha briefly frames an armbar,
but Dobson escapes and drops hammerfists. Dobson is now in side
control. Dobson isn’t really attempting any offense from the
position, as Arkhagha is doing his best to hold him close. Arkhagha
is able to recover full guard. Dobson postures up and tees off with
some big punches. Dobson stands and Arkhagha is on the retreat as
he returns to his feet. Dobson lands more punches and Arkhagha
appears to be hurt. Arkhagha flails away with punches and Dobson
takes his man down. Arkhagha is turtled up against the fence, and
Dobson fires away with a series of right hands to the side of the
head. Instead of continuing that assault, Dobson looks for a
rear-naked choke. That gives Arkhagha a chance to control the
wrists of his foe. Dobson goes back to landing punches to the head
before sliding his arm under his opponent’s chin. The choke is
tight and Arkhagha is forced to tap out in a matter of seconds.

The Official Result

A.J. Dobson def. Hashem Arkhagha via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
R1 4:21