We have reached the halfway point of this season of Dana White’s Contender Series, with the show set to return for the fifth time this year and for the first time in September.
This week, Bruno Lopes will battle Brendson Ribeiro in the main event, while eight other fighters join this week’s main eventers in trying to impress UFC President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.
This week’s episode of DWCS is set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, and can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Lopes vs. Ribeiro
Brazilians will collide when the unbeaten Lopes, a former LFA light heavyweight champion, takes on a game opponent in Ribeiro. It has been nearly a year since Lopes captured the vacant LFA title. He beat Willyanedson Paiva that night, and in the past has beaten UFC middleweight Gregory Rodrigues way back in the day and has won all but one of his fights inside the distance. He trains with China Team in his native Sao Paulo.
Ribeiro, meanwhile, Evolução Thai MMA. He will be fighting an uphill battle against a prospect as accomplished as Lopes, and Ribeiro himself is a man who likes to finish his fights. However, he, himself has been finished in four of five losses. He has also won each of his last two fights, and will come in to Tuesday’s fight on something of a hot streak. Still, Lopes will represent a tall order, but the winner of Tuesday’s main event should go on to have a fruitful UFC career.
Rest of the Card
As for the remainder of show Serhiy Sidey will take on Ramon Taveras in a fan friendly co-main event. LFA veteran Dylan Budka, who pushed Azamat Bekoev for 15 minutes in their LFA middleweight title fight, is back just seven days after taking and winning a heavyweight fight. He will take on South Africa’s Chad Hanekom with a UFC contract potentially up for grabs.
The women will also be in action on this week’s show. LFA standout Dione Barbosa will take on Mexico’s Rainn Guerrero, a veteran of Invicta Fighting Championships. Jean Silva is also scheduled for action against Kevin Vellejos.
For up to the minute results and updates, be sure to stay locked in to MMA Sucka.
Dana White’s Contender Series 61 Results
Brendson Ribeiro def. Bruno Lopes via Knockout (punches) at 3:47 of Round 1
Serhiy Sidey def. Ramon Tavares via TKO (strikes) at 2:26 of Round 1
Dylan Budka def. Chad Hanekom via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jean Silva def. Kevin Vallejos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dione Barbosa def. Rainn Guerrero via Submission (Armbar) at 4:35 of Round 1