The final episode of the seventh season of Dana White’s Contender Series airs tonight. This season brought plenty of action for fight fans by way of some new and familiar faces across the world of mixed martial arts, and introduced the fanbase to plenty of new fighters to keep an eye on.
This week’s card should be no exception, and fight fans will even get treated to a bonus sixth fight this week as a parting gift until next year. The show will be headlined by a bantamweight bout between Americans Ramon Taveras and Cortavious Romious.
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+.
Main Event — Taveras vs. Romious
If Ramon Taveras is a name that looks familiar to you, it’s probably because he is no stranger to the Contender Series. In fact, he last fought on the show almost one month to the day against Serhiy Sidey in a fight where he came in just above the allowed weight, and ended up getting knocked out by a straight right hand. Taveras is being given another chance to earn his way into the UFC after spending his entire career fighting for the southern-based Combat Night Pro promotion.
Season 7️⃣ finale of #DWCS goes down TONIGHT!
🚨 Don't miss all the action LIVE on ESPN+🚨 pic.twitter.com/z8B5n2NqM3
— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2023
Taveras will be taking on Cortavious Romious, whose nickname, “Are You Not Entertained?” should tell you everything you need to know about his fighting style. At 5-foot-4, Romious presents an interesting puzzle for his opponents to solve. His height factors in nicely with his grappling, however, he also loves to use his hands as he owns two wins by knockout. Nevertheless, Taveras’ path to victory might be on the feet, as Romious is not only an effective offensive grappler, but a fighter who is constantly hunting for submissions. Through seven professional wins, three have come by way of armbar for the 29-year-old St. Louis-native.
Rest of the Card
The co-main event will see Brazilian flyweight hopefuls collide when Andre Lima takes on Rickson Zenidim. Lima is an unbeaten prospect who likes to overpower his opponents on the feet. He made his way to LFA back in July where he stopped his opponent, Igor Taylon, just before the bell sounded on the end of the second round. He is now set to fight on his biggest stage yet against Zenidim, a seasoned veteran of the South American regional scene.
Conor Matthews is also set to meet unbeaten Brazilian Jair Farias at 145 pounds. Farias could prove challenging for the 31-year-old Matthews, but “The Controller” has ample experience in the gym with training partners Calvin Kattar and Rob Font at New England Cartel. He’ll look to put that experience to use against a fighter in Farias who has been cleaning out opponents in various Brazilian promotions.
Another undefeated prospect in Torrez Finney could meet his match in fellow unbeaten Yuri Panferov in the middleweight division. The UFC middleweight division is thin on depth, and the winner could provide a spark, as well as a future name to watch. Finney has shown outstanding knockout power, and that he can carry the power through the entire fight. Panferov, meanwhile, brings good size to the division, as well as a flair for grappling.
American Marquel Mederos is also set for action against Issa Isakov. “The Determinator” Isakov may have gotten his nickname straight out of Disney’s Lemonade Mouth, but the 33-year-old has legitimate skills that could make him the first man to represent Luxembourg on the UFC stage. Mederos, meanwhile, is a Fury FC mainstay, and will be looking to lean on his experience fighting fellow challenging up-and-comers to pull out the win. Lucas Rocha will open the show against David Bittencourt in a fan-friendly fight between Brazilian prospects at 135 pounds.
For up to the minute results and updates, be sure to stay locked in to MMA Sucka.
Dana White’s Contender Series 66 Results
Ramon Taveras def. Cortavious Romious via Knockout (punch) at :29 of Round 1
Andre Lima def. Rickson Zenidim via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Connor Matthews def. Jair Farias via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Torrez Finney def. Yuri Panferov via Submission (RNC) at 2:43 of Round 2
Marquel Mederos def. Issa Isakov via Knockout (Knee) at 2:09 of Round 1
Lucas Rocha def. Davi Bittencourt via Knockout (Knee) at :18 of Round 2
