Dana White’s Contender Series ‘Season 3, Week 1’ Play-by-Play & Results

Yorgan De Castro vs. Sanford Alton Meeks

Round 1

Meeks takes the center of the cage early, as de Castro stays on the outside. De Castro attempts a flying knee just as Meeks changes levels for a takedown. Meeks eats it and drives his man into the fence, eventually dragging him down for a moment. De Castro utilizes a nice whizzer to remain upright as Meeks attempts to toss his foe to the canvas. The heavyweights remain engaged as they stumble to the other side of the cage, and Meeks keeps the pressure on, eventually getting the takedown. De Castro again works his way up and throws an elbow on the break. At distance, De Castro lands a hard leg kick. Meeks wants no part of the standup, and he ties up with De Castro and shoves him into the cage. Meeks fires off an elbow on the break with about 2:00 to go. Another solid leg kick lands for De Castro — these blows are really affecting Meeks. De Castro lands a left hook and then sprawls on a Meeks takedown. De Castro times Meeks’ shot and launches another flying knee, but it just misses. A straight right lands for Meeks during an exchange. The heavyweights trade single shots on the feet. Moments after landing a counter uppercut, De Castro crumples Meeks with a hard outside leg kick. Meeks falls to the mat, wincing in pain. De Castro lands about three hammerfists before referee Mark Smith waves off the contest.

The Official Result

Yorgan de Castro def. Sanford Alton Meeks via TKO (Leg Kick and Punches) R1 4:45

Bill Algeo vs. Brendan Loughnane

Round 1

Loughnane begins the contest working hard leg kicks. He’s landed several in the early going before Algeo looks to clinch. The separate, and Loughnane lands an inside low kick followed by a right hand. Algeo lands a knee to the midsection in close quarters. Loughnane connects on a nice counter right hand. Algeo press the action and forces a clinch against the cage. Loughnane is able to turn his foe and then briefly trips Algeo to the canvas. A spinning back kick to the gut lands for the Englishman. They clinch again against the fence with about 2:00 to go. They separate and Loughnane goes back to work, landing a hard right hand followed by another leg kick. The action is halted after an accidental eye poke from Loughnane. The action resumes and Loughnane just misses a spinning back fist. A nice stepping right hook connects for Loughnane. Loughnane counters Algeo with a combination. The featherweights exchange as the round ends, but nothing significant lands.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane

Round 2

Alego lands a glancing forearm shot in an initial exchange. He follows up with a kick to Loughnane’s lead leg. Loughnane finds the range on a nice counter right hand. The featherweights clinch against the fence briefly before separating. Algeo is throwing heavy shots, trying to pick up the pace. Loughnane is bleeding from the nose as the combatants continue to exchange freely. Alego lands a step-in knee, and Loughnane drives his opponent into the cage. Loughnane connects with a combination during an exchange. Algeo pressures and lands a leg kick. Loughnane ties up Alego, but they break and trade in the pocket. A right from Loughnane finds Algeo’s chin. Algeo responds with a hard leg kick. Algeo pumps his jab, and Loughnane attacks with a punching combination. Loughnane misses a right hand and then changes levels briefly taking Algeo down. The Englishman is persistent, and he gets Algeo down, transitioning to his foe’s back. Algeo works his way back up and they end the round in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane

Round 3

Loughnane opens up with a clean right hand. Algeo pressures forward with punches before they clinch against the fence. Loughnane transitions to a rear waistlock. Algeo reverses position and they break. A counter right lands for Loughnane as Algeo wades into the pocket. A one-two from Loughnane stings Algeo for a moment, and the Englishman is really finding his range now. Algeo shoots for a single-leg but Loughnane defends. Algeo lands a short elbow in the clinch. Loughnane works well behind his jab and he rocks Algeo with a one-two combination. Another jab-cross connects, and Algeo is bloodied now as well. Loughnane backs up Algeo with a one-two. Loughnane is pouring it on against his fading opponent. Loughnane dodges an Algeo offering and counters with a body punch. Algeo goes to the canvas and Loughnane looks to take the back. The featherweights are back up with less than a minute to go. Loughnane makes Algeo stumble back with a low kick. Loughnane sticks another combination. Loughnane unloads with more jabs and right hands before shooting for a takedown at the horn. Strong finish for the Englishman.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane (30-27 Loughnane)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-8 Loughnane (30-26 Loughnane)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane (30-27 Loughnane)

The Official Result

Brendan Loughnane def. Bill Algeo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Kali Robbins vs. Hannah Goldy

Round 1

After a feeling-out process, Robbins closes the distance behind a big right hand. They break and Goldy lands a short right. Lots of movement with probing leg kicks thus far for Goldy. A left kick lands to the body for Goldy. Robbins is stalking Goldy, but she’s not cutting off the cage well. Robbins is throwing occasional heavy punches but missing. They clinch and Goldy lands a couple knees to the body. Goldy follows a punching combination with a high kick, although Robbins keeps her guard up. Robbins is finally able to get a takedown near the fence. Goldy stands, and Robbins works to circle to her opponent’s back. Robbins kicks Goldy’s legs out and tries to get her hooks in. Goldy defends it and returns to her feet, where she tags Robbins with a nice combination. Robbins fires big right hands, but Goldy lands a two-piece at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Goldy
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Goldy
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Goldy

Round 2

Hard leg kick at the outset for Goldy, who follows with a side kick to the face. Goldy is mixing up her kicks, then circling out of danger. Goldy lands a jab followed by a side kick. Robbins continues her pursuit, landing a leg kick of her own. Goldy lands a low kick-right hand combination. Robbins forces the clinch behind a two-punch combination. She fights for the takedown against the fence but gives it up, and Goldy lands a left on the break. Left hook lands for Goldy. Robbins closes the distance and eats a pair of knees followed by a head kick for her troubles. Goldy with more knees in the clinch and an elbow on the break. Robbins marches forward and lands a leg kick. Back in the clinch, another strong knee lands for Goldy. The strawweights roll to the mat, as Robbins attempts to threaten with a leg lock. Goldy defends well as Robbins transitions and she makes it to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Goldy
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Goldy
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Goldy

Round 3

Robbins catches Goldy flat footed and lands a combination. Goldy fires off a head kick but Robbins blocks it. Goldy continues to blend a variety of kicks with movement. Robbins wades forward, then eats a knee to the face in the clinch. A leg kick connects for Robbins. Goldy lands a low kick and a two-punch combo. A right hand from Robbins connects, but she needs more volume. Robbins closes the distance, but Goldy breaks the clinch and attacks on the separation as she has done all night. Robbins drives her foe into the fence. Goldy gets underhooks, separates and lands a punch followed by a high kick. Goldy with a low kick and a one-two. Goldy is doing a solid job of just staying busy with kicks and punching combinations. Robbins plods forward and eats an inside leg kick and an overhand. Goldy is picking it up in the final 30 seconds, tagging Robbins with punches and kicks. They end up on the mat in the waning moments and Goldy unloads with hammerfists until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Goldy (30-27 Goldy)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Goldy (30-27 Goldy)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Goldy (30-27 Goldy)

The Official Result

Hannah Goldy def. Kali Robbins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Punahele Soriano vs. Jamie Pickett

Round 1

Pickett opens with an outside leg kick. Moments later, he connects with a right hand. Pickett is working kicks and using his range early, but Soriano closes the distance and ties up with his foe. They break moments later. Pickett ducks under a massive right hand. Soriano is throwing heavy shots, but hasn’t found the range just yet. Pickett connects with a right hand and then moves out of danger. Soriano closes distance and lands a left. Moments later he trips Pickett to the mat, then just misses a high kick as his foe returns to his feet. Pickett counters a heavy shot from Soriano, who is putting everything behind his punches. Pickett lands a question mark kick to the head. That lights a fire under Soriano and he attacks with big punches. Pickett is able to avoid serious damage. A body kick from Pickett finds its way under Soriano’s left arm. Soriano lands a couple big lefts and Pickett wisely circles to safety. Soriano attacks Pickett against the fence, and wobbles him for a moment. A left over the top lands for Soriano, and Pickett is reeling. Soriano looks to tee off against the fence, but Pickett is able to survive until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Soriano

Round 2

Soriano opens with a high kick, but it’s blocked. Soriano is being patient, walking his opponent down. Pickett fires off a nice jab than lands. Soriano swings and whiffs a big combination. Another jab from Pickett. Soriano connects on a big left, and Pickett circles away. Pickett goes to the body with a kick and then snaps off his jab moments later. Another jab connects for Pickett. Soriano lands a left and a right and is in pursuit. Pickett circles and resets. Pickett goes back to the jab. Soriano shoots behind a two-punch combination. Soriano lifts Pickett and dumps him on the canvas. Pickett battles his way up and he tags Soriano with a one-two. A body shot lands for Soriano. Soriano cracks Pickett with a big counter left. With 30 seconds left, Soriano gets a takedown. He drops a short elbow from half guard, and that’s where the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Soriano

Round 3

Pickett looks to land a Superman punch early, but it doesn’t affect Soriano. Soriano ducks under a punch and takes Pickett down in the center of the cage. Soriano is working from half guard, but Pickett is doing a good job of neutralizing his opponent’s offense from above. Herb Dean orders the fighters to work. Pickett attempts to transition to an armbar. It doesn’t work, but it allows him to scramble to a better position. Soriano uses a front headlock to regain top position. Soriano wants to land short elbows, but Pickett is controlling his adversary’s limbs. Dean again wants to see more action. Soriano changes up and lands a series of left hands to the body while in half guard. We’re at less than a minute to go, and Soriano continues to hammer Pickett’s ribs. Soriano attempts to create some space, but he can’t land the elbow he wants. Nonetheless, Soriano ends the fight on top and in control.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-27 Soriano)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-8 Soriano (30-26 Soriano)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-26 Soriano)

The Official Result

Punahele Soriano def. Jamie Pickett via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00