Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2023) took place on 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’s 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.
Igor da Silva
Weight class: Flyweight
Result: Igor da Silva def. Jhonata Silva via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:37
Grade: A
Summary: Setting a solid tone for the night was a fun flyweight fight between Igor da Silva and Jhonata Silva.
Both men demonstrated the solid striking acumen and urgent scrambling ability that you would typically expect from flyweights. Da Silva displayed a tighter game in the first frame than he’s shown in previous outings, but came out like a house on fire in the second.
After hurting Silva with a hard left hook, da Silva stayed on his hurt foe like a dog on a bone, eventually earning a stoppage victory.
Da Silva has some deceptive experience despite only being 20 years old, but there’s obviously no need to rush him. If it were up to me, I’d say pair up da Silva with someone like Carlos Hernandez or Jesus Aguilar for his first UFC test.
Kaynan Kruchewsky
Weight class: Lightweight
Result: Kaynan Kruchewsky def. Dylan Mantello via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52
Grade: A
Summary: Although it didn’t last long, it felt difficult to deny Kaynan Kruchewsky an A for putting away Dylan Mantello.
Mantello looked to be the sharper and smoother striker from the jump, appearing to hurt Kruchewsky with a right hand early. However, Kruchewsky was able to recover and open up his own offense behind a couple of nice jabs to the body.
Kruchewsky followed up with some big right hands shortly after that had Mantello dropping back for a guillotine in a wild exchange. Mantello then made the mistake of turtling to stand without securing a wrist first, and Kruchewsky was able to get to his back and finish the fight.
I’m not shocked to see Kruchewsky get signed given his experience as a Jungle Fight champion. Don’t be surprised to see him paired up with someone like Victor Martinez or Francisco Prado for his first UFC assignment.
Stephanie Luciano
Weight class: Strawweight
Result: Stephanie Luciano draws with Talita Alencar
Grade: C+
Summary: Despite going to a draw with Talita Alencar, Dana White saw fit to sign Stephanie Luciano regardless of the result.
Although I had a hard time getting to a B for Luciano, I can definitely appreciate a fighter overcoming adversity in order to stage a late comeback.
Alencar, who came in as a confident favorite and credentialed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, wasn’t able to put Luciano away despite getting to some dominant positions in the first two rounds. And when Alencar began to clearly tire, Luciano was able to pour it on late and nearly get her fellow Brazilian out of there.
Luciano is still very raw and in need of experience, so don’t be shocked to see her paired up with someone like Marnic Mann or Melissa Martinez for her UFC debut.
Daniel James Allen
Weight class: Lightweight
Result: Daniel James Allen def. JaCobi Jones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Grade: B
Summary: Considering that Daniel James Allen was a 2-1 underdog coming into this contest, I couldn’t help but be impressed with Allen’s performance despite only having five pro-MMA fights to his name.
Couple that with the fact that Allen is already 31 years old, and I’m somewhat surprised that Dana White decided not to sign him.
Technically, Allen appears to fight well beyond his resume.
On the feet, Allen possesses a solid southpaw arsenal that consists of crips one-two’s and a wicked body kick from the rear. And in the grappling department, Allen seems to wield some serviceable takedowns and good riding instincts from topside.
That said, if you were upset that Allen didn’t get signed, don’t fret: I suspect we still see Allen on an upcoming UFC card in the future considering the nature of the organization’s relentless schedule.
Shamil Gaziev
Weight class: Heavyweight
Result: Shamil Gaziev def. Greg Velasco via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:38
Grade: A
Summary: Closing out the night was a heavyweight performance that earned Shamil Gaziev an easy A and a UFC contract.
Even though Gaziev almost gave the fight away by giving his back off of a lazy guard pass, heavyweights – as even Daniel Cormier will remind you – come with a different standard for skill. And given that Gaziev showed power on the feet and the floor, it’s hard to deny entry to a heavyweight who can actually grapple.
Gaziev already owns a win over UFC veteran Darko Stosic and can likely hit the ground running (figuratively) in this weight class. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the matchmakers pair him up with Karl Williams or Mick Parkin for his first UFC assignment.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 63.
