Dana White’s Contender Series Week Six: Who Will Rise Above the Fall?
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By Anthony “Zute” George
For many, Labor Day means the end of Summer. Therefore, the start of fall is among us. In fall, the fight schedule typically heats up, and DWCS week six is the first combat action of the unofficial start of fall. Who will join the already 19 mixed martial artists that earned a UFC contract by acing the most strenuous job interview? Here is who fought:
Aliaskhab Khizriev Vs Henrique Shiguemoto (middleweights):
Aliaskhab came in with an undefeated, but sparse record; his last fight was March of 2018. Henrique came in with a long and respectful resume. Aliaskhab came in as the betting favorite despite his inactivity of late. It turned out to be the smart money. Khizriev got off to a fast start, taking the fight to the ground and securing a rear-naked choke submission at :50 of the first round. It was the second-fastest submission of the series. There should be no doubt a UFC contract is next.
Mana Martinez Vs Drako Rodriguez (bantamweights):
Mana was entering the fight as a red-hot prospect and a perfect finish rate in his fights. Drako was going in with plenty of amateur experience and an impressive finish rate and a boxing background. Rodriguez got off to a fast start with heavy strikes. The fight soon found its way to the ground, however, which is Martinez’s wheelhouse. Yet, it was Rodriguez, who was able to eat on the floor, after fighting off some submission attempts from Martinez, Drako submitted Martinez with a triangle choke at 2:22 of round one. Indeed, deuces were wild, and contracts were earned. From King of the Cage to the UFC.
Khadzhi Bestaev Vs Phillip Hawes (middleweights):
Bestaev came into the fight with a perfect finish rate in ten fights, five by submission and five by knockout. Hawes was considered a top prospect and getting a second chance on The Contender Series. Once the fight began, Bestaev appeared to be the much bigger fighter. However, the moniker size does not matter came to fruition courtesy to a tremendous overhand right from Hawes, sending the bigger challenger crumbling to the octagon. The finish came at 1:18 of round one. It was a blistering finish from Phillip Hawes, leaving no doubt he earned a UFC contract.
Sherrard Blackledge Vs Cameron Church (lightweights):
Blackledge came into the fight advertised as a dangerous, eclectic striker. Church has been publicized a distraught street kid who was saved by MMA. It was considered an even battle on the betting lines. Indeed, it was a solid give and take fight for the first seven minutes, chock full of massive strikes, groin kicks, and high-level technique. Blackledge started separating himself from Church in the second half of round two, save for a few submission attempts from Church that Blackledge defended. Round three was controlled and owned by Sherrard Blackledge. He failed to finish Cameron Church, however, securing a decision, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27. Based on the events that transpired prior to this fight tonight, it appeared unlikely he would be offered a UFC contract for this effort. It was a solid effort from Sherrard, but that often is not enough on this show.
Tafon Nchukwi Vs Al Matavao (light heavyweights):
Tafon came into this fight with a hype boatload, a heavy striker, and an accomplished kickboxer. Entering the contest as the most significant betting favorite of the night. Despite being a huge underdog, Matavo came into the fight with an impressive finish rate and a hot winning streak. Matavo tried to take on the hype train head-on, and he did not embarrass himself in doing so. However, when you try and beat such a dangerous fighter by fighting his fight, making no attempt to throw new wrinkles at him, it will only be a matter of time. That time came at 2:01 of the second round, courtesy of a vicious left head kick. It was a scary knockout because Matavao hit his head on the ground as he went down. It took Matavao some time to regain consciousness; needless to say, we all need to wish nothing but healthy thoughts for this brave fighter. Tafon undoubtedly did enough to earn a contract.
So, who did Boss White offer contract too:
Aliaskhab Khizriev
Drako Rodriguez
Phillip Hawes
Tafon Nchukwi
As expected, Sherrard Blackledge’s ‘safe’ third-round cost him a UFC contract. However, his solid effort was enough to receive an invitation to fight again on DWCS in November. He will no doubt accept that offer.
Four more contracts were given out, all to fighters with great finish rates with impressive stoppages tonight. Indeed, it will be bliss seeing how these guys size up in the UFC.
Stay tuned…
Anthony “Zute” George is the Author of Tough Man: The Greg Haugen Story, a new boxing book that covers the skilled champion from Auburn, Washington, as well as the scope of the times during his days of pugilism.
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