Dana White’s Contender Series returns for the second-to-last time this year at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMA Sucka will cover the entire card live, right here. The card starts at 8pm ET/5pm PT on ESPN+.
Undefeated Russian finisher Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (12-0), and Brazilian knockout artist Jansey Silva (7-1) headline the six-fight card. The 28-year-old Russian standout did his training camp with Fernando Lopez at one of the most prolific gyms in France, the MMA Factory, with many high level names on the Brave CF roster. After nearly a year layoff, he finally makes his return to the cage in his American debut. Omargadzhiev is one of the more well-rounded fighters on the card, and is known for making his opponents quit or putting their lights out. In his 12 pro bouts, 10 of them have come by way of stoppage with six ending in the first round. The Russian will likely close as the biggest favorite on the card at the -575 range.
Rio de Janeiro’s Silva is far from an easy fight for Omargadzhiev. The Tata Fight Team representative is a Muay Thai specialist who throws vicious knees. The 26-year-old is a tall, lengthy middleweight who loves to keep it on the feet. In his seven pro victories, five have come by way of knockout with four in the first round. The Brazilian has previously worked with the likes of Thiago Santos and has been one of WOCS’ most prized prospects for some time. He steps into the Apex riding a three-fight finish streak, with back-to-back first round knockouts, and expects to add to that total tonight.
In the co-main event, the always entertaining Christian Quinonez (15-3) takes on China’s Long Xiao (16-6) in a bantamweight scrap. Mexico’s Quinonez is the top ranked regional bantamweight in all of Latin America, according to Tapology. He does his training at Entram Jiu-Jitsu MMA in Tijuana and has gotten some work in with UFC flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno. The 25-year-old makes his way to the cage sporting a three fight win streak and has won six of his last seven. In his 18 pro bouts, he’s been to the judges scorecards just four times and has finishes 11 of his 15 wins. He closes as the second biggest favorite on the card at around -550.
China’s Long Xiao is on a serious hot streak winning 12 straight, three in a row by finish. He earned the WLF bantamweight title earlier this year and finally is set to make his American debut. The 23-year-old has been extremely active in his five year pro career tallying 22 pro bouts and four in the last calendar year. In his 16 pro wins, he’s tallied nine victories by way of finish. As the second largest underdog on the card, Long Xiao will have to bring his A game to the UFC Apex to earn that coveted UFC contract.
Also featured on the card, undefeated finisher Javid Basharat (10-0), tenured Fury FC veteran Kolton Englund (9-3), and Titan FC featherweight champion Olivier Murad (5-0)
Dana White’s Contender Series 45 Results
Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (13-0) def. Jansey Silva (7-2) by Submission via Kneebar at 4:19 of Round 1
Christian Quinonez (16-3) def. Long Xiao (16-7) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Javid Basharat (11-0) def. Oron Kahlon (16-1) by Submission via mounted Guillotine Choke at 4:12 of Round 3
Karine Silva (14-4) def. Qihui Yan (20-4) by Submission via Guillotine Choke at 1:44 of Round 2
Manuel Torres (12-2) def. Kolton Englund (9-4) by TKO at 2:10 of Round 1
Olivier Murad (6-0) def. Xie Bin (8-3) by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featured Image courtesy of John Morgan/MMA Junkie
