LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene at Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 69 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 fourth episode of Season 7 saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. A welterweight contest between Mitch Ramirez (7-1) and Carlos Prates (17-6) served as the featured matchup of the five-bout lineup.
Also on the card was Yousri Belgaroui (5-3), a former Glory Kickboxing standout who competed against both Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. He took on Marco Tulio Silva (9-2).
Full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 60 include:
- Carlos Prates def. Mitch Ramirez via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 1:14
- Marco Silva def. Yousri Belgaroui via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tim Cuamba def. Mateo Vogel via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Thomas Petersen def. Chandler Cole via submission (keylock) – Round 2, 1:08
- Bolaji Oki def. Dylan Salvador via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:46
Continue reading below for more details about each fight.
Bolaji Oki vs. Dylan Salvador
Result: Bolaji Oki def. Dylan Salvador via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:46
Photos: Bolaji Oki def. Dylan Salvador
Records: Bolaji Oki (8-1), Dylan Salvador (5-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Round 1 – Oki didn’t waste time letting powerful strikes fly. A hard right hand caught Salvador flush, backing him into the fence. Salvador ate it on the chin and after resetting, offered a hard leg kick. Oki responded with a hard kick of his own as they began to trade strikes. Oki puts more power on his strikes, but Salvador starts to press forward. Oki ripped a sharp combination with a hard left hook to the body. The sequence really hurt Salvador and had him reeling backward. Oki capitalized with follow-up punches until Salvador crashed to the mat and the referee stepped in for the first-round finish.
THAT is how you kick off a new episode of #DWCS 🔥
Bolaji Oki opens the show with some massive striking! pic.twitter.com/eDasAv8QXG
— UFC (@ufc) August 30, 2023
Chandler Cole vs. Thomas Petersen
Result: Thomas Petersen def. Chandler Cole via submission (keylock) – Round 2, 1:08
Photos: Thomas Petersen def. Chandler Cole
Records: Chandler Cole (10-4), Thomas Petersen (8-1)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Round 1 – Cole slapped with legs kicks to start, and then added one to the body a second later. Petersen returned heavy punches as Cole looked to land a few of his own. Neither fighter appeared to be hurt from the exchange. Petersen shot in for a takedown and dragged Cole to the mat with a single leg. Petersen pinned Cole in a seated position against the fence, putting his weight on him while landing a few short elbows and punches. Cole scrambled back to his feet and immediately fired off a few punches. Petersen grabbed him and hit a nice trip takedown, landing in top half guard. Staying heavy on top, Petersen threatened a straight armlock before opting to land hard short elbows and punches.
Round 2 – Petersen gets the fight to the ground early in the round and hammers away. Cole isn’t taking these well. Petersen going for a keylock – and he gets it!
Tim Cuamba vs. Mateo Vogel
Result: Timmy Cuamba def. Mateo Vogel via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Timmy Cuamba def. Mateo Vogel
Records: Timmy Cuamba (7-1), Mateo Vogel (8-3)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Round 1 – These two dudes come out swinging. Cuamba is landing the better shots for sure. One of those seemed to rattle Vogel a bit. Vogel is showing his toughness already. Vogel returning well. These two are swinging. Cuamba catches a high kick from Vogel and blasts him with one of his own. Vogel returns with a great combination. This fight is awesome! The round ends. 10-9 Cuamba.
Round 2 – They pick up where they left off – just going shot for shot. This has pretty much turned into a kickboxing match and it’s tremendously evenly matches. Both men are getting their licks in, but again Cuamba just appears to be a step ahead. Vogel’s leg kicks are coming into play – death by 1000 paper cuts-esque. His footwork is really flowing right now, too. For a while there it seemed like Cuamba had his rhythm down – but now Vogel has reversed that. 19-19.
Round 3 – It’s anyone’s fight, in my opinion. It’s likely either tied or 2-0 Cuamba. Both corners are screaming as their fighters trade. Vogel gets a massive takedown midway through the round. Vogel is on the back, though he’s not doing much with it. Vogel lands some short punches on the bloody Cuamba and remains on the back until the horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28, Vogel.
Yousri Belgaroui vs. Marco Silva
Result: Marco Tulio Silva def. Yousri Belgaroui via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Marco Tulio Silva def. Yousri Belgaroui
Records: Yousri Belgaroui (5-3), Marco Tulio Silva (10-1)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Round 1 – Belgaroui is a former kickboxing standout who competed against Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya, and others. He’s now a training partner of Pereira under Glover Teixeira in Connecticut. This is his middleweight debut. They clinch early. After some jostling for position, Silva tries a spinning back kick. Belgaroui wings punches Silva’s way and lands a knee. Silva briefly tries to tie Belgaroui up. Silva misses wildly. They clinch and Silva tosses Belgaroui down. They get up and round ends. 10-9 Belgaroui.
Round 2 – Silva wings wildly and hits nothing but air. His striking is pretty much limited to solo strikes, though they seem to have a lot of power behind them. Belgaroui connects and it lights a fire under Silva, who lands a charging combination. Belgaroui’s mouth piece is knocked out and he grabs hold of Silva. They release and Silva lands another mouthpiece-loosening punch. They clinch and separate. Silva kicks the body. Belgaroui tries a stepping elbow. Silva lands a combination and a flying knee right before the round ends. 19-19.
Round 3 – The pace of this fight is pretty high for up-and-coming middleweights. Silva lands and grabs hold of Belgaroui. After much struggle, Silva gets Belgaroui down. Silva is on top of Belgaroui in half guard. Belgaroui looks a bit helpless here. Silva hops to side control and moves into the crucifix. Belgaroui squirms out right as the round ends. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Silva.
Carlos Prates vs. Mitch Ramirez
Result: Carlos Prates def. Mitch Ramirez via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 1:14
Photos: Carlos Prates def. Mitch Ramirez
Records: Carlos Prates (17-6), Mitch Ramirez (7-1)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Round 1 – Prates showing off his leg kicks early. Ramirez is going to want to halt those as soon as possible, if he can. Ramirez drags Prates to the canvas with a beautiful takedown. Ramirez is in side control. Prates uses a beautiful sweep to get up to his feet. Prates tries a high kick and Ramirez is talking to him. Prates doesn’t care and rips a knee to the body on a spontaneous plum clinch. Prates lands a combination. Ramirez triples up on a leg kick. Prates rips the body and head with a combination. His striking is so slick. At distance, Prates connects with a left hand. Prates goes with a high kick, then a punch. He’s really feeling himself. A big left hand from Prates clatters the brain of Ramirez. Prates goes for an uppercut, which lands. Prates leaps forward and drills Ramirez in the body with another knee. Ramirez is tough and ties Prates up. They separate and Prates lands another leaping combination. The fighters fist bump. MMA Junkie scores it 10-9 Prates.
Round 2 – Ramirez looks for a takedown early but eats a punch from Prates, who evades. Prates keeps Ramirez at bay with a straight left. Prates boots Ramirez in the midsection. Moments later, Prates flattens Ramirez with a straight left hand and Ramirez topples over. Prates walks away and the fight is over. That was one of the more impressive performances of the season. Wow!
