Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2023) took place Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.
With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.
Jean Matsumoto
Weight class: Bantamweight
Result: Jean Matsumoto def. Kasey Tanner via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Grade: A
Summary: Setting a solid tone for the night was a three-round war between Jean Matsumoto and Kasey Tanner.
Being that this was a bantamweight affair, both men came with plenty of sharp, well-rounded skills in tow.
Tanner pushed forward behind dynamic offense early, but Matsumoto was the one punctuating exchanges with hard leg kicks and counters that left no doubt who the more impactful striker was. In Tanner’s defense, he was able to score well with bodywork in the second round and even scored a takedown.
Still, it was ultimately Matsumoto’s impressive composure and fight IQ that won the day. Signing Matsumoto was a no-brainer, as I wouldn’t be surprised to see him paired up with another up-and-comer like Caolan Loughran.
Julia Polastri
Weight class: Strawweight
Result: Julia Polastri def. Patricia Alujas via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:05
Grade: B+
Summary: Despite getting the finish over Patricia Alujas, I had a hard time getting to an A for Julia Polastri given that she came in as a heavy favorite.
Although Polastri appears to be a slow starter, her lackadaisical approach caused her to eat some unneeded shots as she looked to lose the first half of the opening round.
Thankfully for Polastri, the Brazilian turned up the urgency in the striking department with a solid muay Thai arsenal. Whether she was throwing hard body kicks from southpaw or slicing with elbows in close, Polastri packs serious power with all of her strikes.
Alujas was game as ever as she tried to smile through the storm, but Polarski continued to pick up steam in round two by taking things to the floor. Even though I thought that Polastri prolonged the finish a bit, she eventually beat her opponent into submission.
Polastri’s mean streak and power immediately make her stand out in the division, so I was ultimately happy to see her get signed. Polastri seems like she can already tread water with most of the weight class, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Polastri in a Brazil versus Brazil matchup with either Jaqueline Amorim or Bruna Brasil.
Steven Nguyen
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Steven Nguyen def. A.J. Cunningham via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:06
Grade: A
Summary: Considering how clean and violent Steven Nguyen was with his lead hand, I had a hard time denying him an A for putting away A.J. Cunningham.
Cunningham came forward in the first round like a man possessed, but Nguyen – who has been on this stage two times proper – was just too sharp and determined with his jab. Nguyen dropped Cunningham with a devastating hook-cross combo that probably should’ve halted the bout, but it came at the bell which allowed Cunningham to try and recover.
Cunningham came out for the second frame, but he was clearly not all there as Nguyen’s landing rate and accuracy appeared to skyrocket that round. For that reason, I’m glad that referee Mark Smith decided to go with a standing stoppage to help protect a fighter who was clearly too tough for his own good.
I’m very happy to see Nguyen deservedly secure a UFC contract after a couple of swings at bat. Hopefully, the UFC matchmakers pair him up with other action-friendly fighters like Blake Bilder or Westin Wilson for his first octagon assignment.
Jhonata Diniz
Weight class: Heavyweight
Result: Jhonata Diniz def. Eduardo Neves via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:15
Grade: A
Summary: Considering that Jhonata Diniz was able to dust a larger, taunting opponent in the first frame, I found it difficult to deny him an easy A.
Diniz may not have shown anything particularly special, but he proved that having serviceable striking fundamentals is much more important than having a flashy game (especially one without depth).
Although Eduardo Neves started the round stronger with his poor man’s Ciryl Gane impression, he set a pace that he clearly couldn’t keep as he began to fall apart after just two minutes.
Considering Diniz’s kickboxing experience, I wouldn’t hate it if the UFC matchmakers paired him up with Junior Tafa or Michael Parkin toward the end of the year.
James Llontop
Weight class: Lightweight
Result: James Llopntop def. Malik Lewis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Grade: B
Summary: Closing out the night was a solid performance from James Llontop, who took out Malik Lewis over three rounds.
If Llontop could’ve gotten his opponent out of there on one of the many times Lewis flopped to the floor, I probably would’ve gotten to an A. But Lewis’ frustrating style aside, I can’t help but be impressed with the growing talent coming out of Peru.
Llontop, who is the latest Contender Series talent from that region, showed some solid striking looks off of his lead hand.
Whether Llontop was framing off of long jabs or looking to land hard kicks to the legs and body of Lewis, the Peruvian fighter consistently worked all levels of his opponent. I’m somewhat surprised that Llontop couldn’t get to more potent finishing positions on the floor, but the 24-year-old did show heavy hips and serviceable takedown defense throughout the contest.
It’s hard to say who Llontop will get matched with at lightweight, but I suspect we see the native of Peru paired up with someone like Carl Deaton or Michal Figlak.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s even hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 62.
