Dana White’s Contender Series ‘Season 3, Week 2’ Play-by-Play & Results

Miguel Baeza vs. Victor Reyna

Round 1

Reyna, who took the fight on 10 days’ notice and missed weight, takes the center of the cage in his southpaw stance early. Reyna stalks his foe and lands an inside low kick, and Baeza responds with a high kick that’s partially blocked. Reyna steps in with a right hook, but Baeza has his guard up. Baeza drops Reyna with a big right hook. He dives into Reyna’s guard, dropping furious ground-and-pound. Reyna looks to neutralize Baeza and survive the onslaught. Reyna scoots to the fence and eats a right hand from Baeza as he attempts to stand. Baeza works his way to his foe’s back with about 2:00 left. Baeza has his hooks in and he slides his arm underneath Reyna’s chin. Reyna gives the thumbs up as they fall back to the mat. Baeza doesn’t have his arm all the way under the chin and is forced to relent on the hold. Reyna explodes ot his feet and turns Baeza into the fence. They continue to battle for position against the fence in the clinch. They return to the center of the cage with 15 seconds left, and Reyna ends the frame with a body-head combination.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Baeza
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Baeza
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Baeza

Round 2

Baeza misses a high front kick and is knocked off balance by a Reyna punch. Baeza hustles to his feet and drives his opponent into the cage. He works to take Reyna down from the body lock, but Reyna defends nicely and secures underhooks before they separate. The combatants trade body kicks near the fence. Baeza tries to counter a low kick with a straight right but misses the mark. Reyna moves forward and tags Baeza with a nice combination against the fence. Baeza has a high kick blocked, and Reyna backs him up with another combination. Baeza connects with a nice body kick. The welterweights swing heavy punches in the pocket, but neither is able to land cleanly during an exchange. Reyna steps in with a hard right hand. It lands, but Baeza is unfazed. Baeza fires back with a one-two. Baeza snaps Reyna’s head back with a jab-cross combo. They clinch late in the round and Baeza lands a knee that briefly drops Reyna. Moments later, Baeza crumples Reyna with another knee in the clinch. Baeza dives in to finish the job but Reyna is saved by the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Baeza
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Baeza
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Baeza

Round 3

Reyna comes out with a nice right hand that lands on the chin. Moments later a straight left lands. Reyna is setting the tone early, as he tags Baeza with a combination. Reyna is picking up the volume early in the round. Reyna works his jab nicely, backing up Baeza. A right hand from Reyna during an exchange appears to briefly wobble Baeza, and then the welterweights clinch against the fence. A counter right lands for Baeza, but Reyna answers with a thudding body kick. The back-and-forth action continues, as Baeza lands a nice one-two combination. Reyna clinches Baeza against the cage and then lands an elbow on the break with 2:00 to go A right hand over the top connects for Reyna in close quarters. They’re back in the clinch now, but they quickly separate. Reyna is denied on a takedown try. Reyna tries for another takedown in the clinch, but Baeza sprawls and threatens with an anaconda choke. Baeza has to relinquish the hold and Reyna takes top position, dropping punches and elbows from above as time winds down. Baeza frames a triangle choke in the final 10 seconds, but he can’t complete the submission before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Reyna (29-28 Baeza)
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Reyna (29-28 Baeza)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Reyna (29-28 Baeza)

The Official Result

Miguel Baeza def. Victor Reyna via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Miles Johns vs. Richie Santiago

Round 1

Johns lands a nice right to the body before rushing forward behind a combination. He attempts a takedown but Santiago maintains his feet with his back to the cage. They break and return to the center of the Octagon. Seconds later, Santiago accidentally pokes Johns in the eye, and referee Chris Tognoni calls time so the cageside doctor can do an examination. Johns is good to go, Santiago gets a warning and the action resumes. Johns lands a double jab-right hand combination immediately. Johns counters a front kick with a looping right hook. Johns tags Santiago with a jab. John is the aggressor thus far, attacking with combinations. Johns changes levels and executes a single-leg takedown, setting up in Santiago’s full guard. Johns grinds away from top position, and then lands an uppercut as Santiago uses the fence to return to his feet. Johns misses a big overhand as they break the clinch. Johns finds the range on another right hand. Santiago continues to come forward, and Johns tries a single-leg. Santiago sweeps and a scramble ensues, but it’s Johns who takes top position. Johns ends the round in his opponent’s guard.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johns
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Johns
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Johns

Round 2

Santiago lands a body kick but eats a big overhand right from Johns moments later. A one-two combination from Johns puts Santiago on his seat. Johns follows his man to the floor and attempts to lock up a brabo choke. Santiago is able to escape during a scramble and they’re back up. Johns explodes for a takedown in the center of the cage, and he’s back on top in Santiago’s guard. Santiago explodes up and is briefly caught in a guillotine, but Johns can’t hang on. The bantamweights continue to engage in high-energy scrambles. Santiago loses back control and Johns is on top in half guard. He considers an arm-triangle choke, but he’s too close to the fence to properly execute it. Johns covers Santiago’s face and drops a pair of short elbows from above. Santiago recovers full guard and throws some elbows form his back. Johns stays busy, passing to side control and dropping more elbows. Santiago recovers full guard again with about a minute left in the frame. Johns continues to apply heavy pressure from above as the round ends. He ends the frame with a flurry of short punches.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johns
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Johns
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Johns

Round 3

Johns begins with a double jab-right cross combination. A big right hand wobbles Santiago, and Johns attacks with knees to the body against the fence before landing a takedown. Santiago scrambles out of danger and they’re back on their feet, with Johns pressing Santiago into the fence. Santiago lands some short elbows to the side of his foe’s head. They separate and Johns lands a nice uppercut in close quarters. Johns avoids a Superman punch and then changes levels and plants Santiago on his back. Santiago scrambles out of danger, and after a stalemate on the mat, Tognoni orders a standup. Johns lands a straight right, but Santiago keeps marching forward. Santiago dives for a desperate single leg and Santiago sprawls with ease. Santiago lands elbows from his back with Johns inside his guard. They’re back up and trading as time winds down. Another takedown ends the fight with Johns on top and in side control.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johns (30-27 Johns)
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Johns (30-27 Johns)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Johns (30-27 Johns)

The Official Result

Miles Johns def. Richie Santiago via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Michael Lombardo vs. Kyle Daukaus

Round 1

Lombardo opens with a heavy two-punch combination. The taller Daukaus is using some kicks early in an attempt to control distance. Lombardo closes the range and lands a big left. Daukaus follows a low kick with a left cross. Daukaus backs Lombardo up to the fence, and Lombardo shifts gears and takes Daukaus down near the fence. Daukaus battles his way back up, but Lombardo maintains pressure against the cage. Lombardo attempts a level change but Daukaus defends. They separate and Daukaus lands a push kick followed by a left hand that prompts Lombardo to shoot for a takedown. Daukaus locks up a modified guillotine choke, but gives up the maneuver in a scramble. Lombardo quickly ties up Daukaus and forces him to the fence. Daukaus lands a nasty short elbow on the break and follows up with a one-two combination. Now it’s Daukaus with control in the clinch, and he puts Lombardo on his back near the fence with 15 seconds to go. The frame ends with Daukaus in dominant position.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Daukaus
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Daukaus
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Daukaus

Round 2

Daukaus is the aggressor early, following a push kick with nice long punches upstairs. Lombardo forces a tie-up and drives Daukaus into the fence. Daukaus reverses position and lands a knee to the body. The action has slowed here, and Daukaus ducks under a big swing from Lombardo on the break. Lombardo pays for a level change, as Daukaus lands a pair of big knees. Lombardo tries for yet another takedown, and this time Daukaus is threatening with a guillotine. Lombardo is able to free himself and assume top position with 2:00 to go. Daukaus is working to frame a triangle from his back. He inches his legs up and applies pressure as Lombardo stands. Lombardo falls to the canvas and Daukaus punishes him with punches and elbows with his foe trapped in the triangle. With about 20 seconds left, Daukaus transitions to an armbar. With time ticking down, Daukaus switches back to the triangle. It’s to no avail, as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Daukaus
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Daukaus
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Daukaus

Round 3

Daukaus walks his man down, lands a left hand and forces his way into the clinch. Seconds later, he spins Lombardo to the canvas and takes top control in the middle of the Octagon. Daukaus postures up and lands an elbow. Daukaus threatens with an arm-triangle choke, he isn’t able to pass over to the proper position, so he lets it go. Daukaus steps over into full mount as Lombardo does his best to hang on and keep his opponent close to limit damage. Daukaus postures up and drops a big elbow. Lombardo gives up his back, and after a scramble, Daukaus briefly locks in a rear-naked choke. He can’t get it, but he drops a series of punches from above. Lombardo is just in survival mode, giving up his back again. Daukaus lands some more punches before going back to pursuing the rear-naked choke. Daukaus switches to a body triangle as he hunts for the submission. Lombardo does a nice job fighting it off, but Daukaus has a nice squeeze in the waning seconds. Lombardo holds on until the end of the round, but this frame was all Daukaus.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Daukaus (30-26 Daukaus)
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-8 Daukaus (30-26 Daukaus)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Daukaus (30-26 Daukaus)

The Official Result

Kyle Daukaus def. Michael Lombardo via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26, 29-27) R3 5:00

Zach Zane vs. Justin Gonzales

Round 1

Gonzales counters a leg kick with a big shot. He swarms Zane with punches before the featherweights tie up against the fence. Gonzales presses Zane into the fence before tripping to the mat in the center of the cage. Zane eventually works his way up, and Gonzales keeps the pressure on against the fence. Gonzales ducks under a spinning elbow, and Zane throws some wild haymakers, which Gonzales also avoids before securing a body lock. Gonzales drives Zane into the cage and lands an elbow to the head. Gonzales slams Zane to the mat, then grabs a rear waistlock when his opponent stands. Zane drops to his knees and Gonzales slams a knee to the ribs. Zane stands back up, and Gonzalez maintains the body lock. Gonzales reaches around and lands a heavy right just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gonzales
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Gonzales
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Gonzales

Round 2

Zane goes up high with a kick, but it’s blocked. Gonzales catches a kick and lands a right hand before taking Zane down. Gonzales lands some punches to the side of the head as he controls the action with a body lock. Zane is standing, but Gonzales keeps the pressure on. He continues to ragdoll Zane, landing periodic punches while slamming his foe down. Gonzales is in complete control, and he’s increasing the intensity of his punches. Gonzales rides Zane near the fence, alternating punches. Now Gonzales has back mount, and he continues to pummel Zane, who is doing nothing to defend himself. Suddenly, Zane explodes to his feet. He tries a flying knee, which fails and allows Gonzales to grab another body lock. Zane gets dumped to the mat once again, and he quickly gives up his back. Gonzales gets both hooks in and hunts for a rear-naked choke. Gonzales rides Zane, dropping more punches to the side of the head before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Gonzales
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-8 Gonzales
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Gonzales

Round 3

Zane opens up with a push kick to the midsection and he lands a left hand moments later. But he can’t stay upright for long, as Gonzales gets a takedown less than 30 seconds into the frame. Gonzales stands and drops a big standing to ground punch before going back into his foe’s guard. Zane stands and Gonzales shoves him into the cage. Gonzales spins him to the mat, and grabs a body lock as soon as Zane stands. This fight has been rinse and repeat. Gonzales sweeps Zane back to the floor, and he lands a pair of knees to the ribs. Gonzales punishes Zane with knees to the thighs and body against the fence. Zane covers up against the fence and Gonzales lands a flurry of punches. Gonzales continues to grind away against the cage. Unofficial stats have Gonzales at 12 takedowns with 40 seconds left in the fight. The last one ends with Gonzales in guard. Gonzales stands and clears his foe’s guard, dropping a big punch. The featherweights brawl in close quarters in the waning seconds, but this fight was all Gonzales.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round:10-9 Gonzales (30-26 Gonzales)
Keith Shillan scores the round:10-9 Gonzales (30-26 Gonzales)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Gonzales (30-26 Gonzales)

The Official Result

Justin Gonzales def. Zach Zane via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) R3 5:00

Alton Cunningham vs. Tony Johnson

Round 1

Cunningham lands a one-two early, but a right hand from Johnson stuns Cunningham. They trade heavy shots in the clinch. Johnson lands a head kick and a right hand on the break. Cunningham briefly gets a takedown and shoves Johnson into the cage. Johnson lands a knee with his back to the fence. Cunningham keeps the Thai clinch and lands a knee to the midsection. Johnson wants to break but Cunningham isn’t having it, as he drives his foe into the fence. Cunningham lands a three-punch combination on the break. Johnson with a heavy right hand, but Cunningham forces the clinch again. Cunningham keeps the pressure on against the fence. Cunningham lands a series of solid punches on the break, but Johnson answers with a big right. Cunningham elects to tie up with his opponent again. Johnson lands a knee and an uppercut in the clinch. Cunningham works hard to get Johnson down and then lands a knee as soon as he gets up. Cunningham has double underhooks and briefly wrangles Johnson back down. The frame ends with both light heavyweights landing decent shots in close quarters. Cunningham has a big mouse on his right eye heading to the corner.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 2

A doctor checks out Cunningham’s swollen right eye, but he’s allowed to continue. Cunningham immediately forces the clinch 15 seconds into the period. Johnson defends the takedown well and lands some short shots to the face. They briefly separate and trade in tight before Cunningham goes back to the clinch. Jason Herzog has seen enough and separates the fighters. Cunningham shoots for a takedown right away and shoves Johnson into the fence. Cunningham is working for a takedown, but Johnson does a good job defending. Otherwise, not much is happening here. Cunningham changes levels again, but again he can’t get Johnson down. Johnson lands a nice knee to the body with his back to the cage. Johnson creates a small opening for a slashing elbow. Cunningham gets Johnson down, but only for a couple seconds. Another short elbow for Johnson, who works some dirty boxing in the clinch. Cunningham is content to grind away in the clinch as the round winds down. Cunningham breaks and lands a combination before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Cunningham goes right back to the clinch within 10 seconds. The light heavyweights engage in some dirty boxing, with Johnson landing a solid uppercut. Cunningham picks Johnson up an dumps him. But once again Johnson stands. Moments later, Cunningham takes Johnson down and is able to get top control for the longest duration of the fight thus far. They edge toward the fence, and Cunningham applies heavy pressure from above, dropping some punches. Johnson explodes to his feet with 3:00 to go. Cunningham is driving for the takedown and he fires off a quick combination during a brief separation. After a period of inactivity, Herzog orders a separation with a minute left. The clinch resumes shortly thereafter, and Johnson does his best to punish Cunningham with dirty boxing. Cunningham is getting his shots in too in close quarters. Cunningham punctuates the round with a couple flying knees before the horn sounds. Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cunningham (29-28 Johnson)
Keith Shillan scores the round 10-9 Cunningham (29-28 Johnson)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Cunningham (29-28 Johnson)

The Official Result

Tony Johnson def. Alton Cunningham via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00