LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reported from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 57 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 debut episode of Season 7 saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a contract at the UFC Apex. The series continues every Tuesday through Oct. 10, with 90 of the 100 athletes revealed.
Although there were four decisions across the five fights, White elected to sign all the winners, including former Glory Kickboxing standout Cesar Almeida. Also signed was Australia’s Tom Nolan, who secured a nasty first-round knockout.
Heavyweight Caio Machado, bantamweight Payton Talbott, and flyweight Kevin Borjas also received UFC deals for their unanimous decision wins.
The full DWCS 57 results include:
- Cesar Almeida def. Lucas Fernando via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
- Tom Nolan def. Bogdan Grad via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:23
- Caio Machado def. Kevin Szaflarski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Payton Talbott def. Reyes Cortez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Kevin Borjas def. Victor Dias via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kevin Borjas vs. Victor Dias
Result: Kevin Borjas def. Victor Dias via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:Dana White’s Contender Series 57: Best photos
Records: Kevin Borjas (9-1), Victor Dias (11-3)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
The first DWCS fight of Season 7 is underway. After some tit-for-tat technical striking, Dias drags the fight to the ground with ease. He’s a main training partner of Alexandre Pantoja, so it makes sense he’s comfortable here. Borjas pops up but eventually is dragged back down again. Dias back-mounts Borjas and pounds away. He receives a warning from referee Tognoni about shots to the back of the head. The round ends. Somehow, Dias is bleeding. 10-9 Dias after one.
Dias drags the fight back down, again, with relative ease, though Borjas nearly reverses him. After minutes of control, Borjas gets up. On the feet, Borjas lands some combinations as he’s the much fresher fighter at this point. The round ends. 19-19.
Borjas opens with a big punching combination. Dias lands a leg kick, but eats another combo. Borjas looks so much quicker than Dias right now. Borjas rips a mean body shot. Dias is swollen but he gets Borjas down. Borjas gets up and is dragged down again. After some time on the ground, referee Tognoni stands up the fighters, much to the aggravation of Dias’ corner. Borjas rips the body and Dias shoots. Dias gets another takedown. Borjas digs the body. Dias is exhausted. Borjas is punishing him with striking. Dias wings but the punches are so slow. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Borjas.
Junior Cortez vs. Payton Talbott
Result: Peyton Talbott def. Junior Cortez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-29-28, 29-28)
Photos:Dana White’s Contender Series 57: Best photos
Records: Junior Cortez (7-3), Payton Talbott (5-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
These guys are trading already. They’re right in the pocket, slinging. Cortes targets the lead leg. Talbott is establishing himself as a forward-only fighter. He’s a bit reckless in these exchanges, but he’s landing. Reyes is on the back foot more often than not, but he’s remaining poised and resetting when he needs to. Talbott has some unorthodox offense. Both guys have really only been interested in trading punches thus far. 10-9 Cortez.
Talbott is really taking over here in Round 2. He’s maintained, or even increased, his speed and output. He’s beating Reyes to the punch. A wicked left punch cracks Cortez. Then, Talbott lands an uppercut. Talbott utilizes his length well. He’s flowing. Cortez is staying tough, as his sister, UFC fighter Tracy Cortez, watches on. If Cortez wins, they’ll become the first brother-sister tandem in UFC history. Talbott tops off the round with a big combination. Cortez is bleeding from above his left eye. 19-19.
Talbott picks up right where he left off. He cracks Cortez a few times. Cortez elevates and takes him down. Talbott pops up. Cortez lands a good right hand. Talbott connects on a beautiful standing elbow. A big right hand down the pipe clatters Cortez’s brain. Cortez lands a spinning backfist. Referee Hatley calls timeout. He wants Cortez’s cut to be examined. That is a nasty gash, but the physician approves the action continues. Seconds after a time-in is called, Talbott drills Cortez in the groin with a kick. Cortez crumples over in pain. After a brief timeout, the action resumes. Talbott continues his push. He intermittently lands punches until the bell. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Talbott.
Caio Machado vs. Kevin Szaflarski
Result: Caio Machado def. Kevin Szaflarski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 57: Best photos
Records: Caio Machado (8-1-1), Kevin Szaflarski (11-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Machado comes out swinging, with reckless attempts to knock Szaflarski’s block off. Szaflarski looks a bit taken aback by Machado’s wild approach. Machado grabs Szaflarski and shoves him into the fence. Referee Tognoni warns Machado for shots to the back of the head. Szaflarski separates. Machado wings a combination and shoves Machado into the cage again. The round ends. 10-9 Machado.
Szaflarski shoots and Machado drills him with a knee to the midsection. Szaflarski lands a sneaky punch. Machado wings with another looping, charging combination, during which a big left hand lands. Machado lands another combination. Szaflarski grabs hold of a clinch and walks Machado back toward the cage. Machado charges with a whiffing combination and shoves Szaflarski into the fence. Szaflarski reverses position. They separate. Machado pushes forward. 20-18 Machado.
Szaflarski needs to do… something. He’s barely thrown any strikes and has had minimal control time. He’s not necessarily been beaten up, but he has almost no offense either. It’s a weird performance. Perhaps it’s nerves. Szaflarski shoots. Machado denies and lands a combination. Machado is winning, but the striking is a bit sloppy. Machado explodes with a burst of energy and hammers away at Szaflarski. Referee Tognoni intervenes for an eye poke. The action resumes but Machado may have burned himself a bit. Machado’s corner is screaming at him. Machado tries a flying knee, which misses. The horn sounds. Not the most exciting fight, but a win nonetheless. MMA Junkie scores it 30-27 Machado.
Bogdan Grad vs. Tom Nolan
Result: Tom Nolan def. Bogdan Grad via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:23
Photos:Dana White’s Contender Series 57: Best photos
Records: Bogdan Grad (11-2), Tom Nolan (6-0)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
These two are engaging. They’re going for it. Nolan knocks Grad down with a punch in the opening 20 seconds. Grad grabs hold of Nolan on the bottom, in guard. Nolan is trying to create separation. Grad shoots for an ambar. Nolan fights out of it and rains down ground-and-pound. Nolan lets Grad up and rips a body kick. Nolan crushes Grad with a violent left hand. Grad falls to the canvas and Nolan puts out whatever lights were left on with a violent follow-up punch. That’s a contract. WOW.
Cesar Almeida vs. Lucas Fernando
Result: Cesar Almeida def. Lucas Fernando via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 57: Best photos
Records: Cesar Almeida (4-0), Lucas Fernando (9-2)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Fernando immediately takes down Almeida, a former Glory kickboxer, who fought Alex Pereira thrice. Almeida gets up and starts kicking away. Perhaps he showed himself one too many times. Fernando catches a kick and drags Almeida down. Fernando immediately takes Almeida’s back and gets the hooks in. They’re hand-fighting, as Fernando seeks a rear-naked choke. Surprisingly, Almeida rolls into Fernando and rides the rest of the round on top. 10-9 Almeida.
Fernando charges Almeida and the two nearly take out referee Tognoni who dashes out of danger. Fernando looks for a takedown against the fence. Almeida showing strong takedown defense. They separate. Fernando shoots again, but Almeida reverses position and takes him down. Almeida passes the legs and lands in side control. Almeida pounds away. He might have Fernando hurt. Almeida mounts Fernando, who gives up the back. Almeida tries a rear-naked choke. What a turn of events this would be. Fernando easily rolls out of it and returns Almeida to half guard. Almeida mounts Fernando again and pounds away. Fernando pushes Almeida into half guard again. Almeida stands up and rains down ground-and-pound. Almeida steps into a reverse triangle position and is pummeling Fernando. What a weird position. Almeida looks at referee Tognoni. Almeida finishes in that position. 20-17 Almeida, after a 10-8 Round 2.
Fernando takes Almeida down. Eventually, Almeida gets back up. Fernando lands a one-two combination. Almeida lands another leg kick. Fernando surprises him with a right punch. Fernando lands a punch and slips under Almeida’s combination. Fernando shoving Almeida into the fence. Almeida reverses position. Fernando reverses that and gets the takedown. Almeida scoots back to the fence and gets up. They both trade. The round is over. MMA Junkie scores it 29-27 Almeida.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 57.
