LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 49 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The third week of the sixth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the featured bout, three-time Division I All American wrestler and MMA super prospect Bo Nickal (2-0) took on Zachary Borrego (4-1) in a catchweight bout after Borrego missed the middleweight limit by 1.5 pounds. Nickal dominated and earned a quick submission win, but was not offered a UFC contract by White.
Instead, Nickal will be invited back for another DWCS fight, and White said if he wins that one, he will be in the UFC.
While Nickal’s impressive win didn’t earn a contract, the performances from three other fighters were contract-worthy. Clayton Carpenter, Erik Silva, and Jamal Pogues were extended contracts by White after their wins.
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streamed on ESPN+. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 49 include:
- Bo Nickal def. Zachary Borrego via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
- Jamal Pogues def. Paulo Renato Jr. via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Erik Silva def. Anvar Boynazarov via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:32
- Clayton Carpenter def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Karolina Wojcik def. Sandra Lavado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Continue reading below for more details about the event.
Sandra Lavado vs. Karolina Wojcik
Despite being at a height and reach disadvantage, Wojcik found ways to control the center of the cage and win positional clinch battles with Lavado against the cage. The first round didn’t offer much in terms of effective striking as the fighters looked to figure each other out.
Wojcik stuck with a similar gameplan in the second round and secured a nice takedown on Lavado. Wojcik charged forward with punches to set up her clinch game.
Needing a finish, Lavado appeared to want to up her striking output, but a kick was caught early in the final round and Wojcik controlled and mixed in a few ground and pound strikes until the final minute. Wojcik went for a rear-naked choke attempt, but Lavado broke free and quickly scrambled to try one of her own. The finish wasn’t there and the fight would go to the scorecards.
Result: Karolina Wojcik def. Sandra Lavado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 49: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Sandra Lavado (10-3), Karolina Wojcik (9-2)
Division: Strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Edgar Chairez vs. Clayton Carpenter
The action started fast in this one. Striking exchanges were filled with sharp punches and kicks from both as they moved around the octagon. Chairez mixed in a couple of jumping knees before clipping Carpenter with a punch. Carpenter then mixed it up by testing the wrestling game, but Chairez kept things on the feet, where he would land a few more big shots before the round ended.
After trading strikes for most of the round, Carpenter was able to complete a takedown and take full mount with less than a half minute remaining. Chairez did well to avoid major damage from ground and pound before the horn.
Carpenter continued to excel in the final round as the output from Chairez slowed. The wrestling game of Carpenter led to another big takedown. From here he would control and land some nice elbows to close out the fight.
Result: Clayton Carpenter def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 49: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Edgar Chairez (8-4), Clayton Carpenter (6-0)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Erik Silva vs. Anvar Boynazarov
Silva wasted little time in getting the fight to the ground, putting Boynazarov on his back just seconds into the fight. Once he secured top position, he went to work raining down hard strikes until referee Mike Beltran jumped in to protect Boynazarov from further damage. Simply a fast and dominant display from Silva.
Result: Erik Silva def. Anvar Boynazarov via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:32
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 49: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Erik Silva (9-1), Anvar Boynazarov (3-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Jamal Pogues vs. Paulo Renato Jr.
After quickly getting into the clinch after their first exchanges, Pogues and Renato Jr. separated and continued to trade strikes over the next few minutes. Pogues displayed a snappy left jab while Renato Jr. added kicks with his combinations of punches.
In the second round, the potshotting of left hands continued from Pogues while Renato Jr. was a little more varied with his striking, including a focus on attacking the lead leg.
The final round saw the intensity ramp up a bit, but the script didn’t change much. Pogues worked behind the jab as Renato Jr. continued to chop at the lead leg as they circled around the cage trading strikes.
Result: Jamal Pogues def. Paulo Renato Jr. via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 49: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jamal Pogues (9-3), Paulo Renato Jr. (10-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Bo Nickal vs. Zachary Borrego
Five seconds into the fight, Nickal dumped Borrego to the canvas. A couple of ground and pound strikes connected, but Borrego was able to scramble back to his feet. Nickal didn’t give him much time or room to breathe, though. Nickal stuck with him and found the back. A few moments later the rear-naked choke was clamped on and the tap soon followed. What a way to end the show.
Result: Bo Nickal def. Zachary Borrego via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 49: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bo Nickal (2-0), Zachary Borrego (3-1)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
