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Saturday’s Paris show may be falling apart at the seams, but at least tonight’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series is here to pick up the slack.
Tonight’s (Tues., Aug. 29, 2023) action kicks off at 8 p.m. ET start time on ESPN+, as will all subsequent episodes this season.
In what’s become an increasingly rare change of pace, only three of last week’s four victors made the cut. Josefine Knutsson’s one-sided decision win didn’t punch her UFC ticket, but Luis Pajuelo’s mauling of Robbie Ring, Oban Elliott’s comeback over Kaik Brito, and Zachary Reese’s 74-second submission of Eli Aronov did the trick.
Undefeated Welterweight Mitch Ramirez (7-0) battles Brazilian knockout artist, Carlos Prates (16-6), in tonight’s main event. The co-feature sees Yousri Belgaroui (5-2), who went from going 1-2 against Alex Pereira in kickboxing to training with him, square off with Marco Tulio Silva (9-1). Timothy Cuamba (6-1) fights BFL champ Mateo Vogel (8-2), The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 30 competitor, Chandler Cole (10-3), returns to face former LFA titlist Thomas Petersen (7-1), and Belgian Lightweight standout Bolaji Oki (7-1) opens the show against former kickboxer Dylan Salvador (5-1).
‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:
Mitch Ramirez vs. Carlos Prates
Yousri Belgaroui vs. Marco Tulio
Timothy Cuamba vs. Mateo Votel
Thomas Petersen vs. Chandler Cole — Petersen def. Cole by submission (americana) at 1:08 of Round Two
Bolaji Oki vs. Dylan Salvador — Oki def. Salvador by TKO (punches) at 2:46 of Round One
‘Contender Series’ Play-By-Play Results:
170 lbs.: Mitch Ramirez vs. Carlos Prates
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
185 lbs.: Yousri Belgaroui vs. Marco Tulio
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
145 lbs.: Timothy Cuamba vs. Mateo Votel
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
265 lbs.: Thomas Petersen vs. Chandler Cole
Round one: Petersen’s first shot comes 40 seconds in, and after a brief struggle, he elevates the leg to take Cole down at the base of the fence. One minute in. Cole working to try and stand, stuck on his butt. Solid elbow from Petersen. Short shots landing two minutes in. Cole manages to slip out and start unloading with punches. Petersen comes back with clinch knees, then hits an easy outside trip to land back on top in half guard. Two minutes to go.
Hard elbows from Petersen. He briefly considers a straight armbar, then goes back to elbows. One minute to go. Petersen continuing to rack up short punches and elbows; not a ton of pop on some, but there’s a handful that look like they hurt. 10-9 Petersen.
Round two: Low kicks from Cole to start. Peterson lands a solid uppercut before snatching up a single and running the pipe into side control. Shortly thereafter, he grabs an americana and cranks his way to a submission victory.
Final result: Petersen def. Cole by submission (americana)
155 lbs.: Bolaji Oki vs. Dylan Salvador
Round one: Early combos from Oki. Salvador answers a head kick with a low kick. Counter left, front kick, head kick. Good low kick and counter left; Oki’s loading up a bit, though he lands his own low kick a minute in. Salvador slips throwing a kick and eats a flurry on the way up. Low kick exchange. Body jab, 3-2, counter right all land for Oki. Very even thus far. Nice counter left again by Salvador; Oki keeps overextending when throwing the right. Two minutes in. Even exchanges. As I type that, Oki catches Salvaor kicking with a counter right and Salvador staggers back. Oki chases him across the cage with a storm of punches, ultimately hitting paydirt with a liver shot against the fence that sends Salvador to his knees for the finish.
Final result: Oki def. Salvador by TKO (punches)
For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.
