Dana White's Contender Series 2022 Week 9 Play-by-Play and Results

Roybert Echeverria (125) vs. Jafel Cavalcante Filho (125.5)

Round 1

Venezuela’s Echeverria has compiled a 7-0 mark while competing exclusively under the Titan FC banner. Filho is a veteran of the Shooto Brazil promotion and has been victorious in seven of his last eight professional appearances. Mark Smith is your referee for this flyweight clash. No glove touch and Filho takes the center of the cage. Filho with an inside leg kick to begin the offense. Echeverria moves forward behind a left hook and a front kick. Filho is focusing on the leg kicks at the start. Echeverria with a hard outside low kick of his own. Filho shoots and presses his foe into the fence. Echeverria defends and gets an underhook in. Echeverria turns off the fence, but Filho maintains his grip. Filho looks for a takedown, but Echeverria winds up on top in a scramble. They’re back up, and Filho shoves his man back into the fence. Filho moves to a rear body lock and he slams Echeverria down. Echeverria stands and Filho jumps on his back, locking in a body triangle. Filho works for a tight rear-naked choke, and Echeverria falls to the mat. Echeverria escapes the choke but Filho is still on his back with the body triangle intact. Echeverria is able to turn into Filho, and he lands a punch before standing. Filho stays on the mat and Echeverria kicks at his legs. Neither man is accomplishing much here, as Filho is scooting around on his but, kicking at his foe’s knees while Echeverria targets the legs. That’s how the round will end.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

A crisp jab lands for Echeverria and he counters a leg kick with a big right hand that knocks Filho off balance. The Brazilian returns to his feet and offers a glove touch. Echeverria with an outside leg kick and then a front kick. Echeverria goes to the body with another kick but it’s blocked. Echeverria just misses a big right hand and then resets. Filho then tags his foe with a combination that is punctuated by a leg kick. Filho secures a rear body lock and takes Echeverria down. Echeverria rolls and threatens with a leg lock. They’re in a 50-50 position. Echeverria stands and Filho has a heel hook. Echeverria punishes him with some punches before escaping the hold. Now we’re back where we were in Round 1, with Filho on his back, inviting Echeverria into guard. Echeverria is content to kick at the legs again. Smith urges the fighters to work, and then orders a standup shortly thereafter. An inside leg kick lands for Echeverria. Filho misses the mark on a multi-punch combiation. Filho clips Echeverria with a hard right, maybe the biggest strike of the round. Filho continues to stalk and Echeverria throws a side kick to the body. Echeverria shoots for a takedown in the waning seconds, and Filho threatens with a guillotine to defend before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Filho lands a left hook and a leg kick. Moments later he sticks Echeverria with another left hook. Echeverria jabs the body. A spinning hook kick from Echeverria lands, but Filho absorbs it without issue. Another leg kick from Echeverria seems to have an effect on Filho. An inside leg kick lands for Echeverria and he follows with a jab. Just when Echeverria seems to be gaining momentum, he misses a head kick and Filho drops him with a left hook to the jaw. From there, the Brazilian tees off with follow-up punches on the canvas on his turtled foe until Smith steps in to wave off the bout. Filho doesn't escape unscathed, however, as he is helped out of the cage by his corner as a result of the leg kicks he absorbed from Echeverria over the course of the bout.

The Official Result

Jafel Cavalcante Filho def. Roybert Echeverria via TKO (Punches) R3 1:31

Nurullo Aliev (155.5) vs. Josh Wick (156)

Round 1

A native of Tajikistan, Aliev is unbeaten in six pro outings, going the distance in five of those. He’ll look to be the first fighter from his country in the UFC. Elevation Fight Team representative Wick gets the call on short notice to face Aliev. Jason Herzog is the third man in the cage. Wick kicks the body and then the legs at the outset of the fight. Aliev throws a jab and then eats another calf kick. Aliev shoots for a takedown against the fence. Wick accidentally rakes Aliev across the eye as he attempts to defend, and Herzog calls time. Wick gets a warning and Herzog calls in a doctor to take a look at Aliev, who says he’s good to go. They return to the original position and Aliev muscles Wick down. Wick hustles right back up and Aliev lands a knee to the midsection. Aliev grinds away on the fence, before pulling his foe off and to the mat with a nicely executed throw. Wick has full guard as Aliev scoots his opponent toward the fence. Aliev creates some room and drops an elbow over the top. Wick is trying to be active with his guard, but Aliev is heavy on top while landing periodic shots from above. Wick sneaks in a nice elbow from his back. Aliev covers the mouth of his foe and drives his head down, nearly landing a headbutt. Another elbow from above lands for Aliev. Aliev postures up and lands a series of rapid-fire right hands and elbows. The barrage continues now with Aliev landing both hands, and Wick has reached the danger zone. Wick looks to create space with his guard, but Aliev clears the legs and drops a pair of heavy left hands that prompt Herzog to step in on Wick’s behalf.

The Official Result

Nurullo Aliev def. Josh Wick via TKO (Elbows and Punches) R1 4:36

Austen Lane (240.5) vs. Richard Jacobi (244.5)

Round 1

You might remember Lane as the first victim of controversial NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy on the Contender Series four years ago, but he has progressed since then. Lane, an ex-NFL talent himself, is currently a Fury FC heavyweight title holder in the middle of a five-bout finishing streak. Brazil’s Jacobi is unbeaten in seven professional outings, with five coming inside the distance. Mark Smith will oversee the action in the cage. They touch gloves and we’re underway. Lane lands a hard leg kick to open. Jacobi tags his foe with a right hand in an ensuing exchange. Lane has a high kick blocked. As Jacobi steps in, Lane connects with a kick flush to his opponent’s groin. Jacobi yelps in pain and collapses to the canvas. Jacobi returns to his feet, squats and tries to work through the pain. He only takes about 1:30 and they touch gloves. Lane with a standing side kick to the body. A hard body kick lands for Lane. Lane charges in and Jacobi lands a counter shot before securing the body lock. He takes Lane down and goes straight into mount. Lane ties up his foe’s hands to prevent ground-and-pound opportunities. Lane attempts to buck Jacobi off him, but the Brazilian maintains his position. Jacobi creates some space and lands an elbow. Austen is able to power his way into a reversal and he’s now inside Jacobi’s full guard. Jacobi looks to frame an armbar from his back, but Austen lands some punches and escapes. Jacobi is active with his guard as Lane attempts to posture up. Lane peels him off, stands and drops a series of punches before falling back into guard. Jacobi tries to frame a triangle, but Lane clears the legs and tees off with punches. Jacobi can do little more than cover up as Lane goes knee on belly and continues the assault. Smith has seen enough and steps in to halt the carnage.

The Official Result

Austen Lane def. Richard Jacobi via TKO (Punches) R1 4:34

Raul Rosas Jr. (134) vs. Mando Gutierrez (135.5)

Round 1

The 17-year-old Rosas Jr. has garnered plent of attention for his age, but it’s worth noting that his first five MMA opponents have a combined three wins between them. Gutierrez has won seven of eight pro outings, with a three-bout stint in LFA to his credit. Jason Herzog will officiate the contest. Gutierez kicks the body and the legs. Rosas tries a spinning kick to the body and then shoots for a single-leg takedown. Gutierrez attempts a guillotine, but Rosas passes to the side. They stand, but Rosas maintains a body lock. Gutierrez tries to jump to his foe’s back, but Rosas takes him down and moves to mount. Gutierrez stands and Rosas jumps on his back, Gutierrez plants an arm and is trying to get Rosas to fall off the top. Rosas coutners with a body triangle and they fall to the canvas. Rosas lands hammerfists to the side of the head with the body triangle intact. Gutierrez has had enough and he tries to stand. Rosas has him in an awkward position, pulling his leg over his head for a Suloev stretch. Gutierrez frees himself, but Rosas takes the back and flattens his foe out. Gutierrez recovers guard but Rosas passes to side control. They scramble and Rosas falls off the back, allowing Gutierrez to assume top position. They stand and Gutierrez falls back for a guillotine with 30 seconds remaining. Rosas doesn’t appear to be in serious danger, and he’ll pass to half guard before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Gutierrez kicks the legs twice and Rosas fires back with puches. Rosas fakes a leaping knee and gets in on the hips for a crafty takedown against the fence. Gutierrez is looking to hang on to prevent his foe from advancing position. Rosas escapes a guillotine and passes to side control. Rosas lands a few left hands and Gutierrez pulls him close. Rosas passes to mount and Gutierrez gives up his back. Gutierrez stands and gets Rosas to fall off the top. Gutierrez can’t maintain the position, and he grabs a headlock to defend against Rosas. Rosas stands and works his way to Gutierrez’s back against the fence. Rosas jumps on the back again, and Gutierrez shakes him off. Gutierrez is on top and his corner is screaming at him to strike. Gutierrez instead takes the back of the 17-year-old. That doesn’t last long, though, and Rosas reverses into top position. Rosas is inside Gutierrez’s full guard, racking up control time. Rosas will slide his foe to the fence and end the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Rosas lands a pair of leg kicks and Gutierrez kicks the body. Gutierrez is putting the pressure on, and he secures a takedown in the middle of the cage. Gutierrez is in the full guard of his opponent, and he works to land ground-and-pound. An ill advised back take attempt allows Rosas to regain top position. Rosas looks to stay heavy on top, and he creates some space to land ground-and-pound. He briefly picks up the intensity of his assault and Gutierrez doesn’t seem to have an answer. Rosas works his way to the back, but he’s close to sliding off the side. Gutierrez stands and somersaults forward, but Rosas stays attached to his back. Rosas alternates punches to the head and ribs, with a body triangle secured. Gutierrez fights valiantly to turn into his opponent, but Rosas’ body triangle allows him to stay in control. Rosas is still on the back of Gutierrez with less than a minute remaining. Gutierrez lands some punches over the shoulder, but those won’t do the damage he needs. Gutierrez scrambles out, nearly gets caught in an armbar and then escapes as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Raul Rosas Jr. def. Mando Gutierrez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Leon Aliu (186) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184)

Round 1

It’s main event time at the Contender Series, as the Italy-based Aliu meets Brazil native Ferreira. The middleweights have 18 victories between them, with none going to the judges. Mark Smith will ref the final bout of the evening. Ferreira switches stance and fires off a couple kicks. Aliu kicks the legs and then Ferreira leaps in with a superman punch. They’re still trading kicks before Feerreira forcds the clinch. Aliu breaks free and blocks a body kick. They trade in the clinch, with Aliu landing the bigger shots. Ferreira connects with a straight left at range. Ferreira buckles Aliu with a counter right hand k. Aliu’s legs are shaky and he stumbles backward and falls to the floor after eating a couple more shots. Ferreira tees off with punches and hammerfists. Aliu clings to a leg and stands briefly before relinquishing the grip and falling back to the canvas. Ferreira dives in with one massive right hand, which prompts Smith to step in and wave off the fight. Aliu briefly protests to the stoppage, but of course, it’s to no avail.

The Official Result

Brunno Ferreira def. Leon Aliu via TKO (Punches) R1 1:35