Dana White's Contender Series 2023 Week 7 Play-by-Play and Results

Igor da Silva (125.5) vs. Jhonata Silva (125.5)

Round 1

Jason Herzog is the referee for the evening’s first contest at flyweight. I. da Silva opens with a leg kick and J. Silva fires off a left to the body. A left hook connects for J. Silva. I. Silva is aggressive with power punches, but J. Silva answers in turn. A left hook lands for J. Silva. I. da Silva moves in with a left to the body. They trade and J. Silva lands a quick three-punch combination. J. Silva with a left hook to the body, then he jabs the boy and I. da Silva counters with a left. I. da Silva gets J. Silva to the canvas, but his opponent gets up in a hurry. I. da Silva with a mat return and he sets up in full guard for a moment before J. Silva scrambles up. I. da Silva dumps him down again, and he drops a couple elbows. I. da Silva works to a rear body lock as J. Silva stands and he drags him down once more. J. Silva rolls and then scrambles up. Both flyweights land in an exchange. A left hook lands for J. Silva, but I. da Silva responds with a right. A hard calf kick connects for I. da Silva before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 da Silva

Round 2

J. Silva has a low kick checked and the flyweights start brawling immediately. I. da Silva gets the better of the exchange and he drops his opponent with a left hook near the fence. I. da Silva hovers over his opponent, dropping heavy punches and hammerfists. J. Silva is still aware, staying active with his legs. I. da Silva drops into guard while continuing to attack. He briefly stands again, unloading with more offense, but J. Silva keeps moving enough to avoid serious damage. I. da Silva finally slows down and settles into top position. He can’t hold it for long and J. Silva scrambles up. A big counter right lands for I. da Silva in an exchange. J. Silva wears it well. Two heavy hooks land for I. da Silva, who then briefly shoves his man down. J. Silva is back up, but I. da Silva is still teeing off with power punches. Plenty of bombs are landing, and a reeling J. Silva falls to the canvas again after eating another left hook. I. da Silva unloads with more heavy ground-and-pound, and this time he won’t be denied. After a series of unanswered blows, Herzog steps in to wave off the contest. I. da Silva seems to be on track to earn a UFC deal at just 20 years old.

The Result

Igor da Silva def. Jhonata Silva via TKO (Punches) R2 2:37

Kaynan Kruschewsky (154) vs. Dylan Mantello (155)

Round 1

Kerry Hatley will be the third man in the cage for this lightweight affair. Kruschewsky with a low kick that’s checked and a jab. The brazilian presses forward with a combination. Mantello connects with a big right hand to slow down that movement. Mantello follows a body kick with a swift jab. Kruschewsky counters a jab with a left hand and he also lands an elbow in close. Mantello is cut near his right eye. Kruschewsky moves in with multiple punches, and three land clean. They trade jabs to the body. Kruschewsky is wading forward behind power punches again, but this time he changes levels for a takedown under a Mantello punch. Mantello threatens with a guillotine but gives it up quickly. Kruschewsky jumps on the back as Mantello stands. Mantello is trying to shake his foe off the top, but Kruschewsky adjusts his position and looks to lock in the choke. Mantello drops to the canvas and resists for as long as he can, but the squeeze becomes too tight and he goes out. It’s the ninth career submission win for Kruschewsky.

The Result

Kaynan Kruschewsky def. Dylan Mantello via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 2:52

Stephanie Luciano (115.5) vs. Talita Alencar (115)

Round 1

Jason Herzog will be in charge for this strawweight clash. Alencar wings heavy punches but misses the mark on her taller foe. Luciano keeps the range with a front kick. Alencar keeps throwing heavy leather. Moments later, she snatches a high crotch takedown, but Luciano is able to scramble up in short order. Alencar stays on her back to invicte Luciano into guard. She doesn’t take the bait, and she alternates kicks to Alencar’s thighs before Herzog orders them to stand. Luciano ducks under a punch and counters, but she’s taken down following a lazy kick. Alencar stands and aborbs a couple upkicks before she dives down into guard. Luciano’s long limbs are keeping Alencar at bay. Alencar works her way to half guard and drops an elbow. She traps Luciano’s arm and slams an elbow into the ribs. Another elbow to the body connects. Alencar maintains top position and creates space for another short elbow, this time to the head. Luciano tries to buck Alencar off her, but she’s eating some ground-and-pound for her efforts. Luciano is able to stand with about 30 seconds to go, but Alencar is sticky, pressing her into the fence. Luciano reverses and they separate. Alencar gets one last takedown before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Alencar

Round 2

There is speculation on the broadcast that Alencar is tired after that round, and the visual evidence confirms it. Luciano opens with a front kick that makes Alencar stumble. Luciano lands some short punches and sprawls on a takedown. Alencar drops for a low single and she gets Luciano down this time. Alencar tries to take the back, but Luciano grabs a leg to counter. Alencar gets her opponent’s back in a scramble, locking in a body triangle. Alencar lands some punches to the side of the head from this position. Luciano is trying to punch with Alencar on her back, but this isn’t the most effective approach. She does have Alencar’s arm tied up, which prevents choke attempts. Luciano rolls over and Alencar looks to flatten her out. Alencar gets full mount as Luciano goes to her back. Alencar is heavy on top, staying very patient. Luciano tries to explode out of the position, but Alencar maintains the mount. Alencar lands a few short punches and an elbow. With a little more than a minute to go, Luciano is able to bridge and reverse into top position. Alencar pushes her away with her legs and Luciano stands. Herzog wants them to stand with 35 seconds left. Luciano pressures with punches against the fence, and Alencar drops low for repeated takedowns as Luciano continues to attack. Alencar’s panic wrestling works in the waning moments, as she gets her foe down one last time.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Alencar

Round 3

Luciano pressures and lands a right hand. She tees off with more punches and Alencar shoots. Luciano sprawls and Luciano seems to have momentum. Luciano lands to the body and Alencar jumps guard and makes her opponent carry her. Luciano falls into her foe’s guard but stands quickly and backs away. Herzog wants them to stand, and Alencar is exhausted. She has a takedown denied and Luciano attacks with a flying knee, then an elbow. Another desperation shot for Alencar. She clings to the leg for dear life, and pulls Luciano on top of her. Luciano stands and they’re at range. Luciano lands again, and the punches are adding up. Luciano stuffs another takedown but decides to take top position. This is a bad decision, though, as Alencar entangles her in an awkward position on the canvas. Luciano escapes and they stand again. Alencar tries to invite Luciano to guard, but Herzog orders a standup. Luciano presses the action with more punches near the fence, and Alencar goes to her back after failing on a takedown. Alencar shoots immediately and Luciano stuffs it again. Luciano misses a flying knee and has a high kick blocked. A multi-punch combination lands for Luciano. Alencar covers up against the fence and Luciano pours it on with strikes. Luciano lands a knee and elbow in close, and the fight hits the ground again just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Luciano (28-28 Draw)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Luciano (28-28 Draw)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Luciano (29-28 Alencar)

The Result

Stephanie Luciano vs. Talita Alencar is Declared a Draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28) R3 5:00

Jacobi Jones (156) vs. Daniel James Allen (156)

Round 1

Kerry Hatley is in charge for this lightweight contest. Jones lands an inside leg kick and avoids an ensuing combination. Allen blocks a high kick. Allen moves in and lands a left hand. After simultaneous kicks. Allen gets a rear-body lock and lands a couple punches on the break. Jones responds with a body kick at range. Allen answers with a body kick of his own. A body kick lands for Allen, and he fires off a straight left. Another left snaps Jones’ haed back. Jones lands a low kick. Allen with a combination and they collide at range briefly. Lones kicks the body and avoids a 1-2 from Allen. Allen sticks a solid jab. They’re both swinging, but Allen seems to be landing more consistently with straight punches. Allen counters effectively with a two punch combination. Allen lands an outside leg kick and Jones lands a front kick to the midsection. Allen with another kick to the body, but Jones responds with one of his own. Allen with one more body kick before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 2

The combatants throw kicks at the same time but Allen’s catches Jones in the cup, so time is called. After about a minute the fight resumes. Allen has more success with long striaght punches. Jones kicks the body, but Allen lands more effective punches. Allen is finding the mark repeatedly with his straight shots. Jones with a front kick up the middle. Allen fires off another combination. Another long 1-2 connects for Allen. The lightweights kick at the same time, and once again Allen’s lands low. Time is called as Jones recovers. Hatley realizes the simultaneous kicking from opposing stances is awkward and doesn’t take a point. The fight resumes and Jones shoots for the first takedown of the fight. Allen defends and lands a straight right. Jones connects on a low kick. Allen sticks a jab. Jones lands a left hook, but Allen answers with a jab. Allen with a body-head combination followed by a front kick. Jones chops at the lead leg and Allen connects with a left hand. This time, it’s Jones’ turn to land a kick to the up. Allen is ready to go in short order. A combination lands for Allen and he follows up with a front kick. Jones goes front kick and low kick. Another low kick and front kick for Jones, but Allen responds with a straight right. A heavy body kick finds the mark for Jones. Allen fires off a jab late, and there is damage on the left side of Jones’ face as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 3

Allen lands a combination right away. Allen lunges in but can’t connect this time. A snapping body kick lands for Jones. They clinch, then separate and Jones lands another body kick. Jones lands yet another body kick and Allen sticks a straight right. Jones slips on another kick and Allen briefly grabs a front headlock. He lets it go and they’re back at range. Jones has a head kick blocked. Another body kick lands for him, however. Allen pressures behind punches, but Jones angles out. Allen lands a body kick and follows with a punching combination. Jones goes back to the well with the body kick. Allen catches a kick and trips Jones to the canvas. It’s the first time they’re on the ground in the fight, and Allen sets up in half guard. Jones works his way up, but Allen slams him down for a mat return. Allen lands some ground-and-pound with Jones on his knees. Jones stands but Allen maintains his grip. A straight left lands for Allen after they stand and spearate. Allen backs his man into the fence and strings together more punches. Allen kicks the body and keeps the pressure on. Alen keeps up the volume, and Jones just covers up against the fence. Jones kicks the body three times in a row, but Allen backs him up with punches. Allen looks to change levels but Jones denies it. Allen tees off with another multi-punch combination and a knee against the fence before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)

The Result

Daniel James Allen def. Jacobi Jones via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Shamil Gaziev (259.5) vs. Greg Velasco (263.5)

Round 1

Jason Herzog gets the officiatiing nod for the evening’s featured bout. Gaziev drops Velasco with the first punch he throws — a right hand to the chin. However, when he follows his foe to the ground, Velasco is already recovered and scrambles to take the back. He’s not in an ideal position for a rear-naked choke, and Gaziev is able to turn around and take top position. Gaziev passes to half guard with ease and drives his forearm into his opponent’s neck. Gaziev passes to full mount and Velasco gives up his back after Gaziev lands a few punches. Gaziev hunts for a rear-naked choke. Velasco rolls to his back, but in that process, inexplicably does nothing to fight his foe’s hands. Gaziev applies the squeeze and it’s academic from there, as Velasco is forced to ask out of the fight in a matter of seconds.

The Result

Shamil Gaziev def. Greg Velasco via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)) R1 2:38