Dana White's Contender Series 2023 Week 10 Play-by-Play and Results

Davi Bittencourt (134.5) vs. Lucas Rocha (133)

Round 1

The 2023 season closer opens up with a bantamweight clash between Bittencourt and Rocha, whose five-pound weight miss last week forced the postponement and weight class change here. The referee is Mike Beltran. Bittencourt launches himself across the cage immediately with a flying front kick that comes up short. Bittencourt chases down Rocha, who circles out and tags him with a hard jab. Bittencourt shoots a takedown from far outside and Rocha sprawls well, but Bittencourt turns the corner and takes his back. Rocha gets up and Bittencourt launches him with a belly-to-back slam. Rocha makes his way back up and Bittencourt repeats the high-amplitude slam. Two minutes down and Bittencourt is still stuck to Rocha’s back. Rocha finally spins away and disengages, and Bittencourt catches him with a spinning back kick. Bittencourt changes levels and drives Rocha into the fence. Rocha does a good job of keeping Bittencourt off of his hips, but Bittencourt adjusts and takes his back standing once again. Bittencourt spins Rocha down to the canvas, and when Rocha stands, he trips him to the mat again for what the announcers say is the sixth takedown this round. Bittencourt gets back mount and sinks both hooks. He looks for a choke but Rocha spins into his guard, then stands right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Bittencourt

Round 2

Bittencourt lands first, an inside leg kick. He shoots from too far outside and Rocha sprawls easily. As Bittencourt gets back up and lunges forward for another takedown attempt, Rocha drills him with a flush knee to the head that puts him out, face down on the canvas. Rocha dives in with follow-up strikes, but Beltran is there in an instant to stave off further punishment.

The Result

Lucas Rocha def. Davi Bittencourt R2 0:18 via KO (Knee and Punches)

Marquel Mederos (155.5) vs. Issa Isakov (156)

Round 1

It’s Texas by way of Colorado against Chechnya by way of Belgium, as Mederos and Isakov face off under the supervision of referee Herb Dean. Isakov is orthodox, Mederos switching stances constantly. Mederos lands a nice low kick. Isakov shoots a takedown, drags Mederos to all fours, and slides around to take the back as he stands. They make their way to the fence, where Mederos tries to peel him off. Isakov elevates him for a slam but can’t finish, as Mederos manages to keep his feet under him. Two minutes in, Mederos spins out of standing back control and nails Isakov with a knee to the body as they disengage. Mederos tags Isakov with a straight right. As Isakov enters the pocket, Mederos hits him with a short right, then a chopping leg kick that elicits a stance switch. Mederos goes to the calf again, then again. Both of Isakov’s legs are showing the damage. Mederos lands a leg kick followed by a two-piece upstairs. Isakov comes forward and is stopped short by a front kick to the body. Isakov comes forward, changes levels and runs right into an intercepting knee that knocks him stiff. Isakov falls back into the fence and Mederos swarms for the finish, but Dean is on the spot for the TKO stoppage. Sensational finish for Marquel Mederos, and we’re off to the races with two straight knee knockouts so far tonight.

The Result

Marquel Mederos def. Issa Isakov R1 4:09 via TKO (Knee and Punches)

Yuri Panferov (186) vs. Torrez Finney (186)

Round 1

Mike Beltran is the ref in this middleweight affair and he needs to watch himself as the hulking Finney barrels forward immediately. After a couple of clattering exchanges in the pocket, Finney drops levels, hoists Panferov off his feet and carries him around the cage for several full seconds before depositing him on the canvas. Panferov is immediately squirming and scrambling toward the fence and Finney works from his half guard. Panferov stands against the fence and Finney moves to take the back. Panferov denies him the outside hook, turns his back and works to break Finney’s grip. Panferov spins into Finney, who drops for an immediate single-leg. Panferov counters perfectly and Finney can’t finish. They disengage and Panferov nails Finney with a pair of punches that stumble him. Finney grabs a double-leg, elevates Panferov and dumps him back to the mat. Panferov again does not concede the position, scooting back to the fence, standing and shoving Finney off. Finney powers through and lands on top in half guard, where Panferov grabs a kimura and uses it to stand. He makes it back to his feet and tags Finney with punches that rock him once more. Finney goes for another takedown and gets it, but Panferov is getting back to his feet at the horn, using a kimura once again.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Panferov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Panferov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Panferov

Round 2

Finney shoots from the outside and Panferov sprawls beautifully, getting his hips far out of the way. Finney pursues, re-shoots and gets a single-leg which he uses to ground Panferov at the base of the fence. Panferov bounces right up but Finney is stuck to his back. Panferov spins away and disengages, and Finney shoots a double-leg. Finney elevates his man, carries him across the cage and deposits him on the ground. As Panferov works to get back up, Finney smashes him with several hard ground punches. Panferov gives up his back and Finney goes for a rear-naked choke. It isn’t under the chin, but the squeeze looks absolutely crushing anyway. Panferov guts it out, fights the hands off and scrambles out from under Finney. Finney is stuck right to him, though, follows and drags him back to the floor, hopping on the taller man’s back. He sinks the hooks, flattens his man out prone and cinches up another rear-naked choke. This time it’s across the throat and Panferov is tapping instantly. Relentless work on the ground by Torrez Finney.

The Result

Torrez Finney def. Yuri Panferov R2 2:43 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Connor Matthews (145) vs. Jair Farias (146)

Round 1

Farias is orthodox, Matthews southpaw as the featherweights engage at referee Herb Dean’s direction. There is a solid 40 seconds of feeling-out as they exchange single kicks and punches at range. Matthews ducks under a Farias combo for a quick takedown. He lands on top but Farias elevates him and launches a pair of upkicks. Matthews evades them and dives back in, threatening to take Farias’ back. Farias manages to stick him back into half guard. Farias goes for a half-guard sweep and gets back to his feet, but Matthews snares him in a front headlock. Rather than go for the choke from there, he spins to Farias’ back, where he works to sink a hook and set up a choke. Farias sits at the base of the fence and peels Matthews off of him. They separate and Farias tags Matthews with a pair of punches. Matthews steps in and rocks Farias with a hard left. Farias recovers quickly and goes back to work with his one-two. He lands a glancing left, but Matthews returns fire with a harder right. Farias sticks a front kick into Matthews’ gut, then lands a hard outside leg kick. Farias hurts Matthews with a trio of punches, and Matthews is reeling across the cage. Farias pours it on and Matthews is in trouble, but he recovers and evades the worst of it, getting a takedown in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Farias
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Farias
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Farias

Round 2

Matthews is slightly unsteady on his feet to open the round, and he runs right into Farias’ first salvo of punches. Farias follows up with another combo and Matthews backs up. Matthews catches Farias with a punch on the way in that stops him in his tracks. Farias shakes it off and returns fire. Farias goes upstairs with a one-two. Matthews backs Farias up to the cage and launches a head kick that lands flush with a loud knock. Farias seems not to be too badly hurt, coming forward and throwing punches, but Matthews ducks under them and hauls him back to the canvas. Matthews slides to the back and sinks his hooks. He’s very high on the Brazilian’s back as Farias tripods, and Matthews switches to a triangle attempt. He eventually bails on it and they return to the feet. Farias is breathing with his mouth open as they separate, though he is still throwing hands. Matthews marches him to the fence and tags him with a kick to the body, then another. Matthews shoots a double-leg and tries to haul Farias down, but Farias uses the fence to stay standing. He shucks Matthews off, and Matthews nails him with a hard punch on the break. Farias shakes his head as if to indicate he is unhurt, but he is looking very fatigued. Matthews chops at the lead leg with a pair of low kicks. The round ends with Matthews pursuing and throwing, as Farias gives ground.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 3

Matthews is the aggressor to open Round 3, coming forward and throwing a front kick to the midsection. Farias lands a low kick, and Matthews hits him with a right to the chest. Matthews back Farias up to the cage and hits him with another front kick to the body, followed by a pair of punches up top. Farias hits Matthews with another low kick. Matthews appears much the fresher man, 90 seconds into the final round. He is bouncing and throwing combinations, while Farias comes back with single strikes. Farias suddenly comes to life, sticking Matthews with a pair of hard low kicks and a straight right. Matthews drops for a takedown and gets Farias down easily. Farias gets back up and gets shoved to the fence, where Matthews bends at his waist and looks to throw punches. A warning from Dean that Farias is grounded leads to a moment of confusion, but they re-engage immediately. Farias spins towards Matthews and shoves him off and they break, returning to the center of the cage. Farias lands a one-two and a low kick, and now it’s Matthews who looks fatigued. Matthews tries for a takedown, but Farias stands him back up with underhooks. Farias comes forward and the two men flurry in boxing range. The horn sounds on a close, competitive fight.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Farias (29-28 Farias)

The Result

Connor Matthews def. Jair Farias via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rickson Thai Zenidim Bueno (126) vs. Andre Lima (125.5)

Round 1

The improbably named Zenidim takes on his countryman Lima in a matchup of 24-year-old Brazilian prospects. Mike Beltran draws the referee assignment for this flyweight affair. Both fighters are in orthodox and Zenidim lands first with an inside low kick. Lima returns serve with an outside leg kick. Lima lands a kick to the body, and Zenidim touches with another leg kick. Zenidim dives in with a huge overhand right that glances. Lima with another body kick, then a low kick. Zenidim throws a low kick which Lima checks. Two minutes in, and both men have scored primarily with the feet. Lima tags Zenidim with an inside low kick. Lima is stalking, working to cut off the cage and corner Zenidim, who is sliding laterally around the outside of the cage. Lima intercepts that lateral movement with a herding kick that would make Matt Brown proud. Lima with another leg kick. Zenidim is avoiding the worst of Lima’s kicks, but at the expense of almost all of his own offense. Zenidim catches Lima with a clean counter right. Lima lands a low kick, then a hard right cross, maybe his best punch of the round so far. Zenidim is back on his bike in the final 30 seconds. He complains that a body kick strayed low, but declines a break in the action. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 2

The second round picks up right where Round 1 left off, with Zenidim sliding round the perimeter while Lima stalks forward, reaching out with kicks. Lima tags Zenidim with outside low kicks to both sides, the misses with a huge front kick up the middle. Zenidim nails Lima with a body kick. Lima goes back to pursuit, trying to corral Zenidim with kicks, and throws his hands up in frustration at Zenidim’s continued avoidance. Zenidim times Lima’s next advance and takes him down, but Lima quickly sweeps to top position. He sets up in Zenidim’s guard, but stands up seconds later and motions his foe back up. They return to chipping away with kicks, with Lima throwing and landing with greater frequency. Under two minutes to go, and only one of these fighters seems to be bent on having a fight. Zenidim moves laterally at the edge of the cage, and is caught with a glancing head kick from Lima. Lima switches stances and throws another low kick. Zenidim comes forward and lands a right hand to the chest. Lima returns fire with a harder torso punch of his own, the last significant strike of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 3

Echoing all of us, Zenidim’s corner implores him between rounds to stop running and start boxing. He goes right back to moving laterally near the Octagon “warning track,” same as he has done for most of the first 10 minutes. Lima gives chase, and is definitely the aggressor, but his own offense at this point is limited mostly to low kicks as Zenidim changes direction. Lima throws a hard front kick to the midsection that lands. He switches stances and throws another front kick that lands as well, if not as solidly. Lima goes back to the front kick well one more time, and this one lands—to the cup of Zenidim, unfortunately. After a timeout and a stern warning in Spanish from Beltran, they engage once again. Zenidim dashes forward behind a flurry of punches and drives Lima all the way to the opposite fence, where they clinch. Lima spins away from the fence and trips Zenidim to the floor, where he sets up in guard, throwing short punches. Zenidim begins to work for a hip escape, but is trapped against the cage and forced to cover up as Lima throws a stream of leather. Zenidim gets out of the corner of the fence, but ends up on bottom, with Lima on top, punching him from half guard. Zenidim tries to explode up with 20 seconds left, and Lima ensnares him in a guillotine choke, wrapping up his guard and falling to his back looking for the last-second finish. He can’t get it, and Zenidim pops his head out and escapes before the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)

The Result

Andre Lima def. Rickson Thai Zenidim Bueno via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ramon Taveras (136) vs. Cortavious Romious (136)

Round 1

Taveras, who lost by TKO in an early stoppage on Week 5, looks to make the best of his do-over here against Romious. Herb Dean oversees the bantamweight main attraction. The two waste no time in marching forward and throwing with nasty intent. Both men are in orthodox stance, but it barely matters because they are standing fully squared up, throwing heat with both hands. Taveras tags Romious with a hard left that knocks him to one knee. Romious springs back up and engages immediately, and Taveras calmly snipes him with a clean right hand that stumbles him badley. Romious chooses to bite down on the mouthguard and swing back, and Taveras nails him with another left hand that drops him where he stands, badly hurt. Taveras dives in with a huge standing-to-ground hammerfist to Romious' face, then lands another from his knees. Dean has seen enough, and dives in for the stoppage. Romious sits up and protests briefly, but he is still wobbly as Taveras kneels in tearful celebration.

The Result

Ramon Taveras def. Cortavious Romious R1 0:33 via TKO (Punches)