Dana White’s Contender Series, S4 EP 6, LIVE REPORT

Rodrigo Nascimento def. Michal Martinek via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) Round 1, 3:16 

Daniel Rodriguez vs. Rico Farrington (Welterweight)

Rodriguez was the more well-rounded fighter, but Farrington showed himself to be very tough. Farrington had a vast reach and height advantage, but he wasn’t ever really able to capitalize on it. Rodriguez nearly earned a stoppage in the final moments of the fight, but it’s hard to say if that will be enough. 

Result: Daniel Rodriguez def. Rico Farrington via Unanimous Decision 

Mariya Agapova vs. Tracy Cortez (Flyweight)

Round 1: Agapova is connecting with a left straight in the early going of the fight. Cortez is taking the shots, but she is having a hard time avoiding them. Cortez scores with a takedown and quickly takes the back. She has two hooks in, but Agapova is defending well so far. Agapova reverses the position, and she is now in a top position, inside of Cortez’s guard. They scramble, and Cortez gets the upper hand and forces her opponent against the fence. Cortez scores with a takedown in the final moments of the round. (10-9 Cortez) Very close round. The takedown in the final moments sealed it for Cortez though. 

Round 2: Cortez scores early with a takedown and puts Agapova on her back. Agapova scrambles and attempts a single leg, but Cortez counters with a neck-tie. Cortez takes the back, and then the mount as Agapova rolls over. Cortez is looking for an RNC with just under three minutes left in the round. Agapova is changing positions, but Cortez is flowing with her and maintaining control. (10-9 Cortez) 

Round 3: Cortez gets the fight down early in the round. She takes side control after a scramble. Agapova gives up her back, allowing Cortez to sink one hook in. She’s working hard for a second one. Agapova reverses the position and takes top control with just about a minute left in the fight. Agapova is looking to land punches at a distance, but Cortez is charging forward. (10-9 Cortez) (30-27 Cortez) 

Result: Tracy Cortez def. Mariya Agapova via Unanimous Decision 

Analysis: Cortez will be getting a contract… she is a good fighter, but she is also lovely to look at, and you already know Uncle Dana won’t be able to resist. That aside, she looked very good with her wrestling, and she probably does deserve a contract in the UFC. 

Steven Nguyen vs. Aalon Cruz (Featherweight)

Round 1: They’re exchanging combos to get things started. Cruz is throwing some nice kicks so far, but none are landing. Cruz is moving forward with punches, seemingly regardless of what Cruz is doing. Cruz scores with a low kick, but Nguyen returns a stiff kick to the midsection! Nguyen charges forward with a flurry! Cruz returns fire with a front kick as the round ends. Fun round but the accuracy was low. (10-9 Cruz)

Round 2: Cruz scores with a kick to the body to break the ice. Nguyen scores with a right hand. He’s pushed forward throughout this entire fight. Cruz scores with a knee to the face! Cruz connects with a grazing high-kick… A very tedious round. Both guys are throwing lots of strikes, but not much is happening, and a lot of the shots are missing. (10-9 Nguyen)

Round 3: They exchange kicks to start the round, Cruz to the body and Nguyen to the head. Nguyen connects to the body and head, but he’s allowing Cruz to land in volume. They aren’t heavy shots, but they will look good for the judges. Cruz connects with a sidekick to the body. Cruz connects with a huge flying knee! Wow! That was amazing! Dana White is signaling that he will get a contract! Wow, what a knee! That knee landed right on the button! 

Result: Aalon Cruz def. Steven Nguyen via KO (Flying Knee) Round 3, 3:36 

Aleksa Camur vs. Fabio Cherant (Light-heavyweight)

Round 1: Camur is opening up with a variety of kicks, most notably a low kick that staggered Cherant a bit. Camur scores with a short left hook as Cherant attempts to get off the cage. Cherant connects with a left hand, but Camur appears to be okay. Camur closes the distance and forces the fight against the fence. Camur scores with a left hook, he has been the aggressor for the entirety of this round. We have just over one minute left in the round. (10-9 Camur) 

Round 2: Cherant connects with a left hand! Camur returns flying knee and Cherant is down! Camur attacks but Cherant is desperately trying to recover! Camur is turning up the heat though, and this fight is all over! 

Result: Aleksa Camur def. Fabio Cherant via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches) Round 2, 0:48 

Unofficial Results: 

1. Aalon Cruz
2. Aleksa Camur 
3. Rodrigo Nascimento 
4. Tracy Cortez 
5. Daniel Rodriguez 

Official Results: Rodrigo Nascimento, Tracy Cortez, Aalon Cruz, and Aleksa Camur were awarded contracts.