LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 67 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The first week of the eighth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at middleweight, undefeated Mansur Abdul-Malik (6-0) took on Wesley Schultz (6-2).
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streamed live on ESPN+.
DWCS 67 full results
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Wesley Schultz via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:55
- Rami Hamed def. Meng Ding via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
- Bruno Lopes def. Mikheil Sazhiniani via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:14
- Jose Delgado def. Ernie Juarez via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 2, 1:25
- Lone’er Kavanagh def. An Tuan Ho via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:35
Who won a UFC contract?
At the conclusion of the event, White handed out four UFC contracts. The UFC CEO awarded contracts to Winners Abdul-Malik, Lopes, Delgado, and Kavanagh.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Wesley Schultz
Round 1 – Abdul-Malik stalks forward patiently as Schultz offers a few kicks and punches. Abdul-Malik connects with a flurry and Schultz covers up and circles. After the reset, Abdul-Malik blitzes again, but Schultz gets on the hips and scrambles to the back, but can’t keep the position. Schultz offers a variety of kicks, but Abdul-Malik evades. Another blitz of heavy strikes from Abdul-Malik leads to the fight going to the ground. Schultz keeps Abdul-Malik wrapped up to avoid ground and pound, and the fight returns to the feet. Schultz offers another series of kicks as Abdul-Malik stays out of range. Abdul-Malik lands a short left. Abdul-Malik catches a kick, but lets it go. Schultz spins with a punch, but eats counters from Abdul-Malik.
Round 2 – Schultz comes out with high kicks, and Abdul-Malik lands a left hand. Schultz lands a spinning kick followed by a punch, and starts the charge forward. Abdul-Malik lands a nice counter, but Schultz keeps coming forward with offense. More strikes from Schultz leads to a takedown and ground and pound. Abdul-Malik gets back to his feet, but gets dragged back down. Abdul-Malik eventually gets free and connects with big punches. Schultz shoots in and is stuffed. Schultz rolls for an armbar, but gets reversed. Big ground and pound from Abdul-Malik now. Heavy elbows raining down! That’s it! What a big finish to close the show.
Result: Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Wesley Schultz via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:55
Recap: DWCS 67 video: Mansur Abdul-Malik bashes Wes Schultz’s head with brutal elbows
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 67: Best photos
Records: Abdul-Malik (6-0), Schultz (6-2)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Meng Ding vs. Rami Hamed
Round 1 – Single strikes are offered from both as the feel-out process unfolds. Hamed, bouncing in a karate side stance, lands a sharp left and an inside leg kick. Ding lands a nice short counter as Hamed darts forward. Now Ding looks for a takedown, but a knee goes south. The fight is paused for a couple of seconds, and Hamed is ready to get right back into it. Hamed looks for a jumping knee as Ding closes in to clinch. They separate briefly, and another clinch also stalls out. One minute to go now. Both go to the body with punches before another clinch is started by Ding. They separate again and both swing and miss with big punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hamed.
Round 2 – Ding kicks to the leg and lands a spinning back kick to the body. Hamed lands a straight left. Ding closes in for a clinch but Hamed shakes him off. Now Hamed ducks under a strike and initiates a clinch, but Ding quickly puts his back on the fence. Hamed complains about a low knee, but the referee says it was legal to the beltline. They separate a moment after anyway. Ding continues his forward pressure. They trade punches, both just missing with powerful offerings. Hamed with a nice body kick. A moment later, Hamed darts with a left, but Ding gets a takedown with a few seconds left.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ding.
Round 3 – Ding charges forward with punches and connects with a spinning back kick. Leg kicks are exchanged. Ding, turning up the volume connects with a punching combo. Hamed begins to fire back, but another Ding kick goes low, pausing the fight for the second time. Ding gets a final warning before the fight resumes. Hamed touches with a head kick, Ding taunts it off and waves Hamed in. Ding bouncing around more, looking to get the action going. Both kick at the same time, but Ding’s goes low again. The fight is halted again and Ding is docked a point. The fight resumes and Ding continues to press forward as Hamed circles outside. Ding clinches and Hamed quickly gets him off. Another clinch by Ding. Hamed lands a left hand. Another clinch by Ding and he gets a knee to the body on the exit as Hamed lands a few solid counter punches. Ding yells at Hamed to fight, but he keeps circling. One more exchange before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hamed, and with the point deduction, gets the win 29-27.
Result: Rami Hamed def. Meng Ding via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 67: Best photos
Records: Ding (34-9), Hamed (13-3)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Bruno Lopes vs. Mikheil Sazhiniani
Round 1 – Sazhiniani threatens an early takedown but doesn’t fully commit. They reset and size each other up for a moment, and Sazhiniani charges forward with punches. Lopes lands a hard leg kick. Another not far behind it. Lopes evades a big overhand from Sazhiniani. Lopes lands a solid right hand. Sazhiniani lands the big overhand right and Lopes is down! Sazhiniani charges in but Lopes gets control of him and gets back to his feet. Sazhiniani still looking for the finish closes in with another right. Lopes fires back now. Sazhiniani looks for a takedown, but can’t get it.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Sazhiniani.
Round 2 – Lope offers a big knee, but Sazhiniani catches him and fires punches after a brief clinch. Sazhiniani throws a head kick, but misses. He then charges forward with a left. Lopes circles and fires off a combination of his own. Sazhiniani gets in on the hips looking for a single leg. It’s not there and they get back to trading punches in the middle. Sazhiniani connects with another overhand right. Sazhiniani, looking fatigued, wants another clinch but gets reversed. Lopes lands a nice punch. Sazhiniani is clearly tired now. A big shot to the liver from Lopes! Sazhiniani folds over and covers up. Lopes swarms with punches, and it’s over!
Result: Bruno Lopes def. Mikheil Sazhiniani via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:14
Recap: Video: Bruno Lopes drills Mikheil Sazhiniani with body shot barrage at Dana White’s Contender Series
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 67: Best photos
Records: Lopes (13-1), Sazhiniani (13-3)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Jose Delgado vs. Ernie Juarez
Round 1 – Both fighters come out swinging punches in hectic early exchanges. Delgado switches it up with a nice takedown, but Juarez works up pretty steadily. They swing punches again on the feet before Delgado gets another body lock takedown. Delgado ends up on the back as Juarez works back to his feet. A rear-naked choke threat is there, but Juarez fights off the hands well. Back to standing now, and Delgado starts to light up Juarez with a fast combo. Another takedown from Delgado, but Juarez works up quickly, and they return to the center. Juarez mounts some offense before a clinch battle. The round ends as Juarez lands a knee to Delgado.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Delgado.
Round 2 – Juarez catches a kick and looks for a takedown, but Delgado prevents it. Juarez digs in a solid body kick. Juarez lands a solid 1-2. Another kick to the body for Juarez. Delgado circles around and lands a left hand. He jumps forward with a big left knee! Juarez is down and out as follow-up hammerfists rain in. What a finish!
Result: Jose Delgado def. Ernie Juarez via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 2, 1:25
Recap: Video: UFC hopeful Jose Delgado impresses Dana White with violent knee knockout of Ernie Juarez
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 67: Best photos
Records: Delgado (8-1), Juarez (7-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
An Tuan Ho vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
Round 1 – Ho started the action with leg kicks and offering punches first. Kavanagh’s early offense consists of attacks with leg kicks. Ho darts forward with punches, but Kavanagh evades. Out of nowhere, both fighters come forward at the same time, but it’s Kavanagh who connects with a short left hook that puts Ho completely out! It’s a walk-off KO for Kavanagh! WOW.
Result: Lone’er Kavanagh def. An Tuan Ho via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:35
Recap: Video: Lone’er Kavanagh kicks off Dana White’s Contender Series with scary KO of An Tuan Ho
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 67: Best photos
Records: Ho (6-1), Kavanagh (7-0)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
DWCS 67 weigh-ins and faceoffs
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 67.
