Dana White's Contender Series 2022 Week 2 Play-by-Play and Results

Billy Goff (170.5) vs. Shimon Smotritsky (170.5)

Round 1

Smotritsky will make his second appearance on the Contender Series after being submitted by Mike Malott in 39 seconds last season. Goff, meanwhile, is a two-division CES MMA champion on a five-fight winning streak. Mark Smith will oversee the welterweight clash. Goff takes the center early and is throwing out leg kicks. But it’s Smotritsky who floors Goff with a high kick within the bout’s 30 seconds. Smotritsky swarms with ground-and-pound, but Goff is up to his feet. Smotritsky tries another high kick but Goff catches it. Smotritsky is doing well landing kicks and knees, as Goff already has a cut under his eye. A hard body kick smacks home for Smotritsky, but Goff is undeterred. Goff absorbs a knee and shoots for a single leg against the fence. Smotritsky is on a knee and then he stands up and pushes Goff off the fence. They separate and get back to striking. Smotritsky forces a tie up behind a combination, but Goff turns him around and throws a couple elbows. They separate quickly and Goff wades forward, throwing heavy punches — with some landing. Goff seems to have turned the tables and Smotritsky is rocked by more heavy punches from Goff. Goff continues to unload with left and right hands, and Smotritsky can do little more than cover up as the onslaught continues. Smotritsky falls to the canvas and Smith steps in to wave off the contest. It’s an impressive comeback for Goff after being dropped early.

The Official Result

Billy Goff def. Shimon Smotritsky via TKO (Punches) R1 3:37

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (259) vs. Danilo Suzart (255)

Round 1

Heavyweights are on tap, as Legacy Fighting Alliance champion — and former minor league pitching prospect — Cortes-Acosta locks horns with Ares FC title holder Danilo Suzart. Herb Dean will oversee the big-man battle. Suzart takes the center and looks to close the distance while utilizing some decent head movement. Both men are swinging heavy leather right away. Cortes-Acosta is having some early success with his jab. Cortes-Acosta puts a combination together, and he’s landing with more volume in the early going. Suzart wades forward and lands to the body. A straight right lands and backs up Suzart. Suzart covers up and Cortes-Acosta flurries with a series of punches before forcing the clinch. The Dominican fighter lands a hard knee to the gut and a right hand over the top. Another right hand lands for Cortes-Acosta, as Suzart’s back remains against the cage. Cortes-Acosta briefly separates and unloads with a combination before clinching again. An uppercut followed by a glancing right hand on the break sends Suzart tumbling to the floor. From there, Cortes-Acosta powers Suzart to the canvas before he can regain his footing and tees off on his turtled foe, ending the bout with eight to 10 unanswered right hands to the head.

The Official Result

Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Danilo Suzart via TKO (Punches) R1 3:40

Francis Marshall (145) vs. Connor Matthews (145.5)

Round 1

In featherweight action, undefeated Kurt Pellegrino protege Marshall will face fellow unbeaten Matthews, who has stopped each of his first five opponents inside of a round. Mark Smith is the third man in the cage. A right hand lands for Matthews and Marshall answers with a low kick. Both men showcase quick hands during an exchange. Matthews with a solid leg kick. Marshall changes levels and briefly gets a takedown, but Matthews uses a guillotine to return to his feet. Both men exchange spiritedly for a few moments following the scramble. Marshall puts together a nice combination. He has a takedown stuffed by Matthews but follows up with a nice right hook. Another calf kick lands for Matthews. Marshall with a quck two-piece combination and he then shoves Matthews into the fence. They jockey for position and Matthews is able to break free. Marshall is accurate with straight punches, but Matthews answers with a stiff jab. Another combination lands for Marshall and an ensuing right hand seems to wobble Matthews. Marshall presses the action and Matthews fires back. Marshall changes levels and slams Matthews down. Marshall looks to take his man’s back as Matthews stands. Marshall gets both hooks in and drags his opponent to the floor. Matthews is doing a good job fighting the hands with about a minute to go. Matthews defends and then scrambles to his feet, where Marshall shoves him into the fence. Marshall drives for another takedown but is unsuccessful before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 2

Marshall lands a nice straight right early. Moments later, another right buckles Matthews and Marshall closes the distance. Matthews drops for a heel hook. Marshall escapes and assumes top position near the fence. Matthews works his way up and Marshall grinds him into the cage. Matthews reverses position and then separates. A calf kick lands for Matthews. Marshall rocks Matthews with a two-punch combo and transitions nicely to a takedown. Now, Marshall drops elbows from half guard, and Mark Smith is taking a close look, warning Matthews to fight back. Matthews is bleeding profusely from a cut on the bridge of his nose. He works his way up only to be grounded again right away by Marshall. Marshall is now working inside his foe’s full guard, and he drives his forearm into Matthew’s face. Matthews tries to stay active from his back with punches, while Marshall drops an elbow. Matthews throws up his guard to threaten with submissions, but Marshall is able to navigate the legs of his opponent without issue. He passes to half guard and drops more short elbows on Matthews. Matthews regains full guard. Marshall postures up to land more punches and elbows before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 3

Marshall sticks a couple jabs and pressures forward. Matthews fires back and they continue to trade. Matthews goes back to the calf kick. Matthews lands another low kick and Marshall responds with a punching combination. The pace has slowed in this round, but Marshall is still finding the range on periodic combinations. A jab connects for Matthews. Marshall lunges in and misses the mark with a big right. A right hand lands clean for Marshall, and he follows up with a left hook. That puts Matthews on the retreat and Marshall is in hot pursuit, firing more offense. Marshall tags Matthews with more straight rights and an uppercut, but Matthews is able to circle out of danger just as it appeared he might be stopped. Marshall sticks another clean combination, then moves out of danger. Matthews finds the range on a left hook, but Marshall answers with multiple punches. Both men land in the waning seconds, but Marshall again gets the better of one final exchange.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)

The Official Result

Francis Marshall def. Connor Matthews via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Shannon Ross (126) vs. Vinicius de Almeida Salvador (126)

Round 1

Australia’s Ross has won five of his last six outings, while Brazil’s Salvador has won four of five heading into this flyweight scrap. Herb Dean will officiate the bout. Salvador opens with an unusual leg kick. The Brazilian has a loose stance, keeping his hands low. A glancing left connects for Alvador. Ross counters a low kick to briefly back his man up. A hard leg kick lands for Salvador. Salvador misses a jumping knee with two left hands, the second of which drops Ross. Ross survives the ensuing onslaught and returns to his feet. He throws heavy punches with his back to the fence, but it’s Salvador mixing up punches and knees. Salvador lands a cartwheel kick. Ross shakes it off and sticks a 1-2. Another right lands clean for Ross. Ross continues to find the mark with his right hand, and he’s gained the respect of his opponent a little bit. They trade in close quarters and Salvaor ends a combination with a knee. Salvador is pressuing with heavy hooks, and Ross answers. A straight right to the body lands for Ross and he backs Salvador into the fence and is dropped by a counter. Ross recovers quickly and thee flyweights trade blows in what has been a wild round. They clinch against the fence and Ross follows an elbow with a flurry of uppercuts. They continue to trade in close quarters until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Salvador
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Salvador
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Salvador

Round 2

Ross takes the center of the cage early. Salvador with an unorthodox low kick. Ross has a body kick blocked. Another leg kick lands for Salvador, and Ross catches the cup of his opponent with a kick of his own. Time is called, and the action resumes in short order. Salvador lands a straight left hand. A hard body kick connects for Ross. Ross rushes in and lands a glancing high kick. Another body kick for Ross. Salvador forces the clinch and lands a knee. Salvador tries to wave Ross forward with his back to the fence, but Ross isn’t having it. They trade in the center of the cage and Ross holds his arms outstretched, urging his foe on. Ross lands several right hands as he forces the action. Ross sticks a two-punch combo and stalks Salvador, who is trying to be evasive with his back to the fence. Out of nowhere, Salvador tags Ross with a clean right hook to the chin and “The Turkish Delight” is on wobbly legs. Salvador swarms on his reeling opponent, teeing off with hooks and mixing in a body shot for good measure. Ross falls to the canvas from the assault and Dean steps in before any more damage can be done.

The Official Result

Vinicius de Almeida Salvador def. Shannon Ross via TKO (Punches) R2 4:22

Charlie Campbell (155) vs. Chris Duncan (155.5)

Round 1

Longo Weidman MMA representative Campbell squares off against Scotland’s Duncan, who will be getting his second shot on the Contender Series. Mark Smith will ref the evening’s featured pairing. Duncan opens up with a pair of heavy low kicks. Campbell catches Duncan coming forward and drops him with a counter right. It might have been a slip, as Duncan is right back up. Duncan with a pair of body kicks and Campbell lands a low kick in response. Duncan continues to work with the heavy leg kicks. Campbell connects with a straight right to the body. Campbell clips Duncan, and the Scot shoots. Campbell turns up the heat with heavy right hands and a pair of brutal uppercuts. Duncan seems to be on his last legs as he shoots out of desperation. He clings to a leg but can’t get it. Campbell pushes him away and moves forward for the kill. Suddenly, Duncan puts his foe on his back with a clean counter right hand on the chin and dives in for the finish, knocking Campbell unconscious with a pair of follow-up shots. What a spectacular comeback and knockout for Duncan, who moments earlier appeared to be on the verge of being stopped.

The Official Result

Chris Duncan def. Charlie Campbell via KO (Punches) R1 1:43