Dana White's Contender Series 2022 Week 4 Play-by-Play and Results

Nazim Sadykhov (155.5) vs. Ahmad Suhail Hasanzada (156)

ODDS: Sadykhov (-190); Hasanzada (+160)

Round 1

Referee Jason Herzog waves the lightweights into action. Hassanzada comes right out and nails Sadykhov with a spinning back body kick that staggers him. Sadykhov recovers, grabs his opponent’s leg and runs him to the ground. Sadykhov postures up and drops punches and elbows, one of which splits Hassanzada open. A minute in, Hassanzada is bleeding heavily, but has Sadykhov in his closed guard, trying to control his posture. Sadykhov is on top, dropping short shots and scooting Hassanzada toward the fence. Halfway through the round, Hassanzada opens his guard, looking perhaps to escape or mount some offense, but Sadykhov is heavy on top. Sadykhov passes and steps into mount, but as he tries to move to Hassanzada’s back, Hassanzada explodes up. He briefly looks to take Sadykhov’s back, but they end up on their feet, with Hassanzada working for a double-leg against the fence. Sadykhov throws elbows to the side of the head. They’re still in that position when the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Sadykhov

Round 2

Hassanzada looks to keep Sadykhov at range to open Round 2, throwing long jabs and front kicks up the middle. Sadykhov lands an eye poke in an exchange and Herzog halts the action, telling both fighters that they need to watch the fingers. Once they resume, Hassanzada lands a crisp one-two and a head kick. A low kick to Sadykhov’s inside leg spins him around. Hassanzada changes levels and drives Sadykhov to the canvas. Sadykhov pops back up, but Hassanzada takes his back with a rear waistlock and looks to trip or drag him back down. Sadykhov spins around, and Hassanzada is working for a double-leg against the cage. Sadykhov throws a couple of elbows to the head, and they disengage. Hassanzada drops back down for another takedown and runs Sadykhov to the fence once again. Hassanzada switches to a single-leg, but gives up on it a moment later and they return to the center. Sadykhov lands a big left hand and Hassanzada goes for another takedown, which Sadykhov stuffs. Sadykhov lands another combo. Hassanzada goes Sadykhov’s legs once again, driving him to the fence, but he’s just hanging there, bent at the waist. Sadykhov shoves him off and lands a big body shot before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov

Round 3

Sadykhov pokes Hassanzada in the eye within the first few seconds. After the timeout, Sadykhov nails Hassanzada with a spinning backfist upstairs. Hassanzada tries to respond with one of his own, but comes up short. Sadykhov drives Hassanzada to the fence, then separates and throws a short hook which lands, and a huge uppercut that misses. Sadykhov throws another pair of big punches that miss. Both men look tired, but Hassanzada is barely throwing anything back. Sadykhov throws a massive overhand right and this one lands, dropping Hassanzada in a heap at the base of the fence, completely out cold, no follow-up needed. Sensational knockout for Nazim Sadykhov.

The Official Result

Nazim Sadykhov def. Ahmad Suhail Hassanzada R3 1:59 via KO (Punch)

Hailey Cowan (136) vs. Claudia Leite (136)

ODDS: Leite (-130); Cowan (+110)

Round 1

Bantamweight hopefuls Cowan and Leite will seek to show whether gymnastics or handball is, in fact, the strongest base for MMA. (Worth noting that Cris Cyborg came from a handball background.) Your referee is Mark Smith. Leite sets up in orthodox stance, Cowan in southpaw. They exchange low kicks that land, then each throws an overhand that comes up short. Leite lands a body kick which Cowan catches, running the Brazilian to the fence in search of the takedown. Leite uses overhooks to stop the takedown, briefly shoving Cowan off, but Cowan is right back on her, shoving Leite into the fence. Cowan throws short elbows, one of which slices Leite open over the right eyebrow. Leite is bleeding profusely, and the flow appears to be distracting her. They continue jockeying against the fence, exchanging short punches as Cowan looks to drag her down. Leite grabs a body lock and spins Cowan around, but Smith halts the action a moment later to have the cageside physician look at Leite’s cut. They are permitted to continue, and Smith waves them back into action with 70 seconds on the clock. Cowan throws a grazing head kick. Leite bounces into range and throws a one-two. Cowan throws another long kick at range as the 10-second clapper sounds. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cowan
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Cowan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cowan

Round 2

Leite’s cutman worked diligently between rounds, and she is not actively leaking as Round 2 starts. Leite comes in for a takedown and Cowan meets her with a knee up the middle. It lands, but Leite is undeterred, driving the Texan to the canvas and landing in side control. Cowan immediately gains half guard, then a moment later full guard. Cowan kicks Leite off, but remains on her back as the Brazilian stands over her. Leite dives in with a standing-to-ground punch and lands in side control once again. Cowan tries to stand, and Leite takes her back. Cowan is on her knees with the Leite stuck to her back, looking for a choke. Leite sinks in both hooks. The action slows as Leite patiently works from back mount. Cowan sits up, then begins to stand. Leite releases the hooks, and moves out to the side, maintaining back control. Leite hops back on as Cowan tripods. Cowan tries to shake her off, but Leite follows her and lands in mount. Leite hops off for an arm-triangle, and Cowan escapes. The round ends with Leite standing up out of Cowan’s guard.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Leite
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Leite
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leite

Round 3

Leite’s cutman is the MVP of the evening so far. Both women’s corners tell their fighter it’s one round apiece. Cowan lands a jab, then a karate-style side kick. Both women are cautious, but they collide in the clinch and Cowan promptly tosses Leite to the ground. Cowan is in Leite’s half guard. She grinds her head into Leite’s chin, then hits her with a series of shoulder strikes. Leite locks down Cowan’s right arm, but Cowan scoots her to the fence and pins Leite’s arm with her leg. Cowan scores with a couple of unblocked punches before Leite frees the arm and can defend herself. Cowan moves to mount, then take Leite’s back. Leite spins around into Cowan’s guard, and Cowan briefly looks for a two-on-one. She gives it up, and Leite is in her half guard. Leite passes to side control. Cowan shrimps and turns toward Leite, and they and up in north-south. Cowan stands at the 10-second clapper, with Leite on her back. The closest round of the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cowan (29-28 Cowan)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Cowan (29-28 Cowan)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leite (29-28 Leite)

The Official Result

Hailey Cowan def. Claudia Leite via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Jack Cartwright (136) vs. Jose Johnson (136)

ODDS: Johnson (-115); Cartwright (-105)

Round 1

Mark Smith is the referee. Johnson opens things up with a hard outside low kick, then drops levels for an easy takedown. He sets up in Cartwright’s guard, but the Brit bucks him off and sweeps to top position. Cartwright looks to pass as Johnson tries to stand. Johnson turns in, looking for a double-leg, but Cartwright catches a front headlock and wraps up a anaconda choke. Johnson escapes and they return to the feet, and Cartwright takes him back down. Johnson goes for an armbar and it looks threatening for a moment, before Cartwright extracts the arm. Cartwright goes for a leg attack, but Johnson is game and in the ensuing scramble, they stand. They clinch and Cartwright picks Johnson’s outside knee, but can’t secure the takedown. Johnson lands a knee as they stand. Cartwright trips Johnson to the floor and hops on his back. He’s working to secure the position when Johnson explodes out and takes mount. Short time, but Johnson is sitting on Cartwright’s chest and raining down elbows when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson

Round 2

Johnson rushes forward with punches, but Cartwright sidesteps easily. Cartwright steps around and takes Johnson’s back standing, then drags him to the canvas. Johnson sits out and Cartwright follows, landing in half guard. Cartwright in on top, chest-to-chest, looking perhaps for an arm-triangle. Johnson regains full guard, then closes up a body triangle from the bottom as Cartwright postures up. Johnson is in fully defensive mode, locking Cartwright down with an overhook and the body triangle. It’s effective, as Smith stands them back up, but Cartwright shoots immediately and gets an emphatic takedown on his second effort. Johnson scrambles and escapes and crouches over the kneeling Cartwright. Cartwright stands and Johnson lands a right to the body. Cartwright shoots again, steps around and executes another slick standing back take. They hit the ground and Johnson scrambles to top position once again. The clapper sounds with Johnson standing over Cartwright, throwing punches from above. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson

Round 3

Johnson throws a push kick up the middle. He catches Cartwright stepping in with another body kick. Cartwright lands a jab, and Johnson responds with a low kick, then a body kick. Cartwright drops for a takedown and gets it, but Johnson catches him in a triangle. Johnson catches the trapped head of Cartwright eight or 10 times. Cartwright escapes the triangle and is in Johnson’s half guard. Johnson uses a butterfly to regain full guard, but Cartwright passes to half once again. Cartwright’s posture is low, as he looks to pass. Johnson bridges like a high school wrestler and bucks all the way over, stepping to mount. Johnson wraps up another triangle as he rolls over to his back again. He elbows the head a few times, then cinches up the choke. Cartwright pulls out of the technique and pops up, but Johnson is on top in his guard. Cartwright works for a kimura from the bottom, but Johnson passes his guard, moving to mount. Johnson is sitting on Cartwright’s chest, dropping elbows and punches when the final horn sounds. This was a wild three rounds of ground work, and closer than the scores might indicate.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)

The Official Result

Jose Johnson def. Jack Cartwright via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Claudio Ribeiro (181.5) vs. Ivan Valenzuela (186)

ODDS: Valenzuela (-115); Ribeiro (-105)

Round 1

The middleweights face off with Jason Herzog set to officiate. Both men in orthodox stance. Ribeiro lands a low kick, Valenzuela tries a spinning backfist and Ribeiro intercepts him with a flush left hand that spurs Herzog into action instantly. Ribeiro actually manages to nail Valenzuela with a right hand on his way to the Dreamlands, like Igor Vovchanchyn to Francisco Bueno. No other follow-up is necessary, and we have the second one-shot knockout of the evening! Crushing left hook by Claudio Ribeiro.

The Official Result

Claudio Ribeiro def. Ivan Valenzuela R1 0:25 via KO (Punch)

Thomas Paull (155.5) vs. Esteban Ribovics (155)

ODDS: Ribovics (-255); Paull (-215)

Round 1

Your lightweight headliner kicks off with Jason Herzog once again the third man in the Octagon. Ribovic comes right out swinging hooks with both hands. Paull is game, and comes right back with a flurry of his own. Ribovic lands a kick to the cup that sounds like a hammer hitting a coconut. There’s a brief break, and then they set right back to exchanging punches. Ribovic catches the onrushing Paull with a short counter right that drops him! He gives chase and five or six jackhammer ground punches later, Herzog is pulling him away from the stricken foe. This one is over, and we might be in for an Oprah night at DWCS.

The Official Result

Esteban Ribovics def. Thomas Paull R1 1:36 via KO (Punches)