Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 Week 6 Play-by-Play & Results

Patrik White (155.5) vs. Genaro Valdez (155.5)

Round 1

White rushes out of his corner and the lightweights trade a flurry of punches before Valdez shoots for a takedown. He takes White down near the fence, but his opponent quickly hustles back to his feet. Valdez continues to maintain a body lock as he presses White into the cage. Valdez lands a short elbow on the break. Valdez lands a leg kick, then a two-punch combination before changing levels. He gets White down, but it’s only momentary. White is back on his feet, defending against Valdez’s level change. Valdez gets White down and jumps on his foe’s back, but it’s not a great angle to complete the submission. They separate and start swinging wildly. Valdez lands a knee down the middle, then changes levels behind a punch. White defends well with his back to the fence, and Valdez throws a spinning elbow on the break. The lightwights stand and are swinging wildly. Valdez knocks White’s mouthpiece loose, and Valdez wades forward and secures a takedown. Valdez lands ground-and-pound before White somehow reverses position. They scramble back upand continue to engage in a brawl on the feet. White sticks a three-ipece combination. Valdez seems to be fading and White is finding the range on more punches. the action is wild as White lands a knee down the middle. A pair of right hands connect for White, and Valdez is bleeding profusely. They’re still swinging when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 White
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valdez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 White

Round 2

White comes out throwing more combinations, and Valdez is answering back. A heavy leg kick lands for Valdez. White tags Valdez with a right hand and shoves him into the fence. White digs to the body with a couple of hooks and then the tide suddenly turns. Valdez dislodges his foe’s mouthpiece with a left hook, and then White is on the retreat. Valdez tags him with a right hand and another left hook, and White topples to the canvas. Herb Dean steps in before Valdez can land any more follow-up offense on his fallen adversary. Valdez remains undefeated as a professional in a rousing performance.

The Official Result

Genaro Valdez def. Patrick White via TKO (Punches) R2 0:44

Shonte Barnes (185) vs. Joseph Holmes (186)

Round 1

Barnes opens up with a kick to his foe’s lead leg. The 6-foot-4 Holmes has a high kick blocked. Holmes connects on a kick to the body. Holmes steps in with a knee and then dodges a right hand by Barnes. Holmes lands a two-punch combination, then follows with a head kick that partially connects. Barnes steps in to throw a left hand and an accidental clash of heads ensues, with Barnes briefly stumbling to a knee. Chris Tognoni halts the fight and checks on both fighters. The break is brief and the fight resumes. Barnes lands a body kick and Holmes shoots for a takedown against the fence. Holmes looks for a trip, but Barnes is showing good balance. Holmes works his way to his opponent’s back, but they separate. Holmes follows a head kick with a right hand. Barnes blocks another head kick from Holmes. Barnes marches forward and misses a right hook. Barnes shoots for a takedown and locks his hands with Holmes’ back against the fence. Holmes defends and turns his man into the fence. Holmes lands a few knees before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holmes
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holmes
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Holmes

Round 2

Holmes is warned to close his fingers after an initial exchange. Barnes is moving forward but can’t find the range on his punches. Holmes slaps a body kick off Barnes’ chest. They tie up and Holmes avoids a big right hand on the break. Barnes lands a low kick as Holmes throws a jab. Holmes closes the distance and lands a takedown near the fence. Holmes quickly takes Barnes’ back and gets both hooks in about halfway through the round. Holmes switches to a body triangle and looks to slide his arm under the chin. Holmes’ squeeze is tight. Barnes briefly fights the hands of his opponent, but it’s to no avail as he taps in a matter of seconds.

The Official Result

Joseph Holmes def. Shonte Barnes via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:46

Joshua Weems (139: Missed Weight) vs. Fernando Garcia (136)

Round 1

Weems steps in and lands a one-two. He kicks out Garcia’s leg with a low kick. Garcia fires back with a combination and they trade briefly. A long right connects for Weems. Weems pressures and gets buckled with a counter from Garcia. Weems presses his man into the fence and Garcia reverses the position. Weems gets his back off the fence and they separate. A right lands for Weems and he avoids the follow-up from his opponent. Garcia steps in and drops Weems with a massive overhand right near the fence. Weems covers up on the canvas, and Garcia unloads with a barrage of punches and hammerfists. Herb Dean warns Weems to defend himself. Although Weems keeps his guard up, he isn’t doing anything else to stop the onslaught, and Dean has finally seen enough. This one is over.

The Official Result

Fernando Garcia def. Joshua Weems via TKO (Punches) R1 2:10

Daniel Barez (126) vs. Carlos Hernandez (125.5)

Round 1

Hernandez lands a leg kick early. Barez has taken the center of the cage and he connects with a right hand. Barez stuffs a takedown and tags Hernandez with a combination. Barez is swarming with heavy hooks to the body. Hernandez moves forward and lands a combination of his own. Barez with a right hand and then a leg kick. Hernandez answers with an inside leg kick. Hernandez counters a jumping knee with a nice jab. They tie up, but Barez is able to break free. Hernandez lands a body kick followed by a right hand to the head. A short right connects for Barez in close quarters. Barez with another short right hand, and shortly thereafter he lands a right corss-left hook combination. Hernandez grabs a leg and shoves Barez into the fence. Barez locks in a standing choke and escapes the takedown attempt. A jumping knee lands flush for Hernandez and it looks like Barez’s buckled for a moment. But he’s still on his feet. a counter right catches Hernandez coming in. Hernandez closes the distance and shoves Barez into the fence. Hernandez with a short right on the break. Barez lands a huge takedown and jumps on the back when Hernandez quickly returns to his feet. Barez powers him down and then is on the back of Hernandez. As time ticks down, Barez threatens with a rear-naked choke. Hernandez makes it to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Barez

Round 2

Hernandez lands a combination, then stuffs a takedown. Barez answers with a knee. A leg kick lands for Barez, and Hernandez tags him with a combination. Barez stuns Hernandez, who briefly backs up. Barez slips and Hernandez dives into top position. Barez has a reverse triangle, but Hernandez escapes and transitions to side control. Hernandez takes Barez’s back and flattens his man out. Hernandez is looking to life Barez’s head so he can slide his arm under the chin. He’s working the arm under, but Barez escapes. Hernandez lands punches from back mount. Hernandez lands more punches as Barez looks to stand. They fall back into the fence and now Hernandez is on the back with both men in a seated position. Hernandez switches to a body triangle. Hernandez drops some punches to the side of the head of his adversary. Hernandez is back to having both hooks in. Barez explodes out of the position and stands. Hernandez looks for a takedown and Barez defends against the fence and shoves him away. Hernandez pressures forward with punches. Barez executes a level change and plants Hernandez on the canvas with about 25 seconds left. Hernandez attacks with strikes off his back as Barez stays inside his guard until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Mike Fridley scores the round:10-9 Hernandez

Round 3

Barez lands a two punch combination. A short left hook backs Hernandez up. Hernandez misses a flying knee and they clinch. Hernandez presses Barez into the cage. They separate quickly. Time is called following an eye poke by Hernandez. The fight resumes and both flyweights are throwing punches in combination. A check left hook lands clean for Barez in an exchange. A right cross by Barez backs up Hernandez. Barez times a level change and grounds Hernandez. He’s in half guard near the fence. Hernandez pushes off the cage and scrambles up. Moments later, Barez drives his man right back down to the mat. Barez is in his foe’s full guard. Hernandez explodes up and grabs the neck, Barez looks for a single leg but relents. Hernandez turns him around and presses him into the cage. Hernandez lands several short body shots on the break. Hernandez shoots for a takedown and drives Barez into the fence. They separate with less than a minute to go. Barez changes levels again and drives Hernandez into the fence. Hernandez defends and lands a solid left hook. Hernandez is pouring it on with punches. Barez ducks under a spinning back fist and looks for a takedown, planting Hernandez just after the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)

The Official Result

Carlos Hernandez def. Daniel Barez via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

Shimon Smotritsky (170.5) vs. Mike Malott (170.5)

Round 1

Malott shakes off a glove touch offer and throws a head kick. Smotritsky attacks with a front kick. Both welterweights swing heavy leather in the pocket, and Smotritsky changes levels for a takedown. Malott immediately locks in a guillotine in response. Smotritsky tries to roll to his back, but Malott simply adjusts the squeeze. It’s extremely tight and with nowhere to go, Smotritsky taps between the legs of his opponent. The Team Alpha Male product has finished all seven of his professional victories and could be staring at a UFC contract.

The Official Result

Mike Malott def. Shimon Smotritsky via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 0:39