Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series concludes this evening (Oct. 10, 2023) with an extra-large finale at the APEX.
The action begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Last week’s action produced five contracts in four fights, among them arguably the least-deserved in the history of the program. Rodolfo Bellato’s mauling of Murataza Talha, Victor Hugo Silva’s kneebar of Eduardo Matias Torres, and Mauricio Ruffy’s comeback upset of Raimond Magomedaliev all produced well-deserved calls to the big show, but Jose Daniel Medina inexplicably joined victor Magomed Gazhiyasulov in UFC despite losing virtually ever second of their fight.
After suffering an early stoppage against Serhiy Sidey last month and missing weight in the process, Ramon Taveras (8-2) returns to face Cortavious Romious (7-1) in the Bantamweight main event. Rickson Zenidim (14-1), previously slated to join the show in August before running into visa issues, gets his shot against knockout artist Andre Lima (6-0) in the co-feature.
Earlier in the evening, Season 6 veteran Connor Matthews (6-1) faces Jair Farias (10-0) at Featherweight, Yuri Panferov (6-0) takes on fellow unbeaten Middleweight Torrez Finney (6-0), and BRAVE CF vet Issa Isakov (10-2) meets Marquel Mederos (7-1). The rare sixth bout is a transplant from last week; Lucas Rocha (16-1) nuked the scales for a planned Flyweight bout with Davi Bittencourt (14-3), so they’re trying again at 135.
‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:
Ramon Taveras vs. Cortavious Romious
Rickson Zenidim vs. Andre Lima
Connor Matthews vs. Jair Farias
Yuri Panferov vs. Torrez Finney
Marquel Mederos vs. Issa Isakov — Mederos def. Isakov by KO (knee) at 4:09 of Round One
Davi Bittencourt vs. Lucas Rocha — Rocha def. Bittencourt by KO (knee) at 0:18 of Round Two
‘Contender Series’ Play-By-Play Results:
135 lbs.: Ramon Taveras vs. Cortavious Romious
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
125 lbs: Rickson Zenidim vs. Andre Lima
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
145 lbs.: Connor Matthews vs. Jair Farias
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
185 lbs.: Yuri Panferov vs. Torrez Finney
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
155 lbs.: Marquel Mederos vs. Issa Isakov
Round one: Mederos backs him to the fence and lands a low kick. Slick single-leg by Isakov into a rear body lock. Mederos defending well, still on his feet a minute in. Mederos isn’t going down but he’s not breaking the grip, either. Finally he exits with a knee two minutes in and looks to fire heavy punches. Solid combinations against the fence. Cross counter by Isakov. Overhand right and low kick from Mederos. Calf kick seems to bother Isakov, who’s content to hang near the fence. Two minutes to go.
Another low kick from Mederos, jab behind it. Heavy three-piece. Isakov backs him off with a pair of straights, eats a low kick for his trouble. Mederos whiffs on a 1-1-2, lands a front kick downstairs. Isakov’s just lingering against the fence as Mederos patiently picks his shots. Finally Isakov moves, but maybe passivity was the right call, as he changes levels directly into Mederos’ knee for a nasty knockout.
Final result: Mederos def. Isakov by KO (knee)
135 lbs.: Davi Bittencourt vs. Lucas Rocha
Round one: Bittencourt comes flying out of his corner with heavy shots before changins levels. Good sprawl by Rocha and he threatens a front headlock, but Rocha scrambles through to secure a rear waist lock as they stand. Big belly-to-back suplex. Bittencourt can’t secure back mount, settles for punching with Rocha stuck on his knees a minute in. Back up, back down with another slam. Rocha again gets to his feet, Bittencourt still attached. Bittencourt drags him to his knees once again, still can’t keep him down two minutes in. Rocha finally manages to separate and immediately eats a left hand and spinning back kick. He sprawls on the next shot, gets hauled to the fence anyway. He denies a takedown with two minutes to go.
Bittencourt continuing to drive against the fence. Trading knees downstairs, nice trip by Bittencourt. Back to turtle position they go. Good mat return, still can’t keep Rocha down. Rocha separates and sprawls on the next shot, but gets put right back in their usual position when he tries to take the back and Bittencourt slings him over a shoulder with a minute to go. Another mat return and this time Bittencourt gets his hooks in. Rocha manages to slip free and they slug it out on the way up, Rocha even trying a Saenchai kick. 10-9 Bittencourt.
Round two: Good jab from Rocha, who sprawls on Bittencourt’s first shot. Bittencourt tries to throw a dipping jab and Rocha’s waiting with a perfectly timed knee, sending Bittencourt face-first to the mat.
Final result: Rocha def. Bittencourt by KO (knee)
For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.
