In one of the most diverse weeks yet, Dana White’s Contender Series put out a strong card tonight in an effort to scout the best of the world’s MMA talent. Fighters from seven countries across four continents meet in the Fight Capital of the World, Las Vegas, to compete for a UFC contract. Stay tuned here for live Dana White’s Contender Series 52 results, as well as the UFC contract winners.
Names to Watch on Week Six of DWCS
Week six of the Contender Series is one of the strongest weeks of the year, mainly for how diverse the cast is. Japan’s first-ever competitor in the series fights in the main event tonight as Yusaku Kinoshita (5-1) fights Brazil’s Jose Henrique (5-0). Kinoshita is a young man of violence. He’s only 22 years old and has demolished all six of his opponents, including his one loss.
In that fight at RIZIN Trigger 1st, Kinoshita originally won the fight against Ryuichiro Sumimura by stomps to the face. Because he briefly grabbed the cage during the finish, RIZIN officials later overturned the fight to a disqualification loss for Kinoshita. Japan is grossly underrepresented in the UFC, so signing a young, entertaining fighter like him could quickly turn him into a star.
The co-main event sees two middleweight with 6-0 records collide, as Matej Penaz fights SD Dumas. Penaz is a three-fight Glory veteran who has only gone to decision in MMA for the first time in his most recent fight at OKTAGON 32. Dumas has been talked about by hardcore fans quite a bit over the last year due to his performances in iKON FC. At the rebranded promotion’s first event, Dumas sent DeWitt Dixon into orbit with a head kick. Neither fighter has been a pro for very long- Dumas went pro two years ago, and Penaz was even less than that. The UFC matchmakers must see a lot of raw talent in these two.
Mateusz Rebecki (15-1) is one of the most well-known fighters of the season, earning a large following in his native Poland. He has fought exclusively for the FEN promotion and has been a finishing machine for them. Honestly, a fighter of Rebecki’s pedigree should probably be signed directly to the UFC instead of earning his way through the Contender Series – he has fought sixteen pro fights and gone five rounds in a championship fight already. But first, he will have to get through Future FC lightweight champion Rodrigo Lidio (12-2) tonight.
Another key matchup of talent likely to go far is between Russia’s Viktoriya Dudakova (5-0) and Maria Silva (7-0). Silva triumphed last year in the Contender Series by decision, but did not get the contract. After submitting fellow prospect Ewelina Wozniak in Ares FC 4, she is back on deck and fighting the undefeated Dudakova. Dudakova is an excellent grappler and an IMMAF medalist, so Silva should have her hands full in her second DWCS appearance.
The night will be kicked off by current CFFC featherweight champion Blake Bilder (6-0-1), who faces longtime Canadian MMA staple Alex Morgan (11-4) for a shot at promotion.
Dana White’s Contender Series 52 Results
Full Card (ESPN+, 8pm EST / 5pm PST)
Yusaku Kinoshita def. Jose Henrique via TKO (Left Hook and Punches) at :43 of round 3 – Yusaku Kinoshita wins a UFC contract
SD Dumas def. Matej Penaz via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at :47 of round 1 – SD Dumas wins a UFC contract
Mateusz Rebecki def. Rodrigo Lidio via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:05 of round 1 – Mateusz Rebecki wins a UFC contract
Viktoriya Dudakova def. Maria Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) – Viktoriya Dudakova wins a UFC contract
Blake Bilder def. Alex Morgan via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:15 of round 1 – Blake Bilder wins a UFC contract
