LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 54 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 eighth week of the sixth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. A bantamweight bout between Allan Begosso (7-2-1) and undefeated Farid Basharat (9-0) served as the final bout of the evening. When it was all said and done after 15 minutes, Basharat maintained his unbeaten status by dominating Begosso on the canvas.
For the fifth time this season, White issued contracts to all five winners.
Basharat joins his brother, Javid, in the UFC, as a pair of undefeated fighters who entered the promotion through DWCS.
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streamed live on ESPN+. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 53 include:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Farid Basharat def. Allan Begosso via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 30-26)
- Ikram Aliskerov def. Mario Sousa via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 2:09
- Trevor Peek def. Malik Lewis via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:37
- Bruna Brasil def. Marnic Mann via knockout (head kick) – Round 2, 4:33
- Daniel Marcos def. Brandon Lewis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Continue reading below for more details about each fight.
Brandon Lewis vs. Daniel Marcos
A pair of scrappy bantamweights start the show this week, and they didn’t spend much time settling in before trading. Marcos worked sharp punches and hard leg kicks. He stunned Lewis twice on the feet, once with a front kick and again with a jumping switch knee. When things got heavy, Lewis looked for a takedown to slow the action. Marcos kept things on the feet and continued picking Lewis apart with sharp strikes.
Lewis’ left leg was compromised by hard leg kicks, and Marcos took advantage early in the second. However, Lewis didn’t back away, and stayed in the pocket as they traded strikes. Throughout the round, Marcos continued to be the sharper striker, picking off Lewis with a variety of techniques.
A hard leg kick buckled Lewis early in the final round. Marcos continued his accurate display while Lewis did his best to change the course of the fight. Although he got the fight to the ground and tried to mount a late charge as Marcos tired, it wasn’t enough.
Result: Daniel Marcos def. Brandon Lewis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 54: Best photos
Records: Brandon Lewis (6-2), Daniel Marcos (13-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Bruna Brasil vs. Marnic Mann
Front kicks from Brasil were an early issue for Mann to deal with in space. After getting a clinch against the cage, Mann was able to slow the offense of her opponent and get the fight to the mat momentarily. However, after getting back to her feet, Brasil hit a nice toss to bring the fight back to the mat, and control from the top.
Brasil continued to dictate the pace of the fight, landing beautiful kicks while keeping Mann from clinching. In the middle of the frame, Mann was able to get a hold of Brasil and bring the fight to the mat, but was swept after a few moments of top control. Brasil opted to return to the feet, and just a few seconds later, ended the fight with a vicious head kick.
Result: Bruna Brasil def. Marnic Mann via knockout (head kick) – Round 2, 4:33
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 54: Best photos
Records: Bruna Brasil (8-2-1), Marnic Mann (5-1)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Malik Lewis vs. Trevor Peek
Malik Lewis was all-action from the moment referee Mike Beltran signaled for the fight to begin. Hitting Peek with anything and everything he wanted, Lewis rocked his opponent early from strikes. During his follow-up flurry, the referee stepped closer to stop the fight, but decided to let things continue. Peek was able to reset and land a hard left punch in the final seconds, but returned to his stool with a lot of work ahead.
Peek started fast in the second, putting Lewis on his heels from strikes. Keeping the pressure high, Peek rocked Lewis and found his way to full mount as he rained down strikes. The punches kept coming down and Lewis could only try to cover up. After a few warnings from the referee, Lewis couldn’t improve his position and the fight was stopped, capping an incredible comeback for Peek.
Result: Trevor Peek def. Malik Lewis via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:37
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 54: Best photos
Records: Malik Lewis (5-1), Trevor Peek (7-0)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Mario Sousa
Sousa let his hands and feet go early, and also showed off strong takedown defense. However, Aliskerov’s third attempt at a takedown was successful, as he lifted and slammed Sousa to the mat. Landing in side control, Aliskerov grabbed the left arm and locked up a kimura grip. He then threw his leg over Sousa’s head and began cranking. The tap immediately followed, securing the quick and impressive finish.
Result: Ikram Aliskerov def. Mario Sousa via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 2:09
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 54: Best photos
Records: Ikram Aliskerov (13-1), Mario Sousa (14-3)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Allan Begosso vs. Farid Basharat
Begosso and Basharat opened the fight with strategic striking exchanges. Both fighters landed well in combinations on the feet, but as the round wore on, Basharat began to take control after securing a takedown. Begosso threatened a guillotine, but Basharat was able to escape and maintain top position for the remainder of the round.
In the second, Basharat continued to keep the pressure high as he went first with strikes, before completing a single-leg takedown. From there, it was all one-way traffic of aggressive ground and pound while Begosso did his best to defend from his back.
The final round was similar to the second. After a few initial moments on the feet, Basharat brought the fight back to the ground and continued his onslaught of punches from top position. Begosso tried to hit sweeps, but the movement of Basharat was too slick. The fight concluded with Basharat unloading punches from top.
Result:Farid Basharat def. Allan Begosso via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 30-26)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 54: Best photos
Records: Allan Begosso (7-2-1), Farid Basharat (9-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
