LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 71 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC CEO Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The fifth week of the eighth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at light heavyweight, Navajo Stirling (5-0) took on Phillip Latu (6-2).
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streamed live on ESPN+.
DWCS 71 full results
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Navajo Stirling def. Phillip Latu via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:21
Quemuel Ottoni vs. Kody Steele- Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaki via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 3, 2:34
- Josias Musasa def. Otar Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne LaFramboise via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:45
Who won a UFC contract?
At the conclusion of the event, White handed out three UFC contracts. The UFC CEO awarded contracts to winners Caliari, Musasa and Stirling. Steele, who did not get to compete due to his opponent’s withdrawal, will be brought back in on a future episode of DWCS to fight.
Navajo Stirling vs. Phillip Latu
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Stirling opens up with a couple of leg kicks. Latu slaps with one in response. Stirling keeps attacking the legs and goes high with a kick. Stirling punches to the body. Another leg kick from Stirling, but this one gets caught. Latu holds it for a moment but releases it. Stirling lands a solid right hand and a leg kick a moment after. Latu catches Sitrling off balance as he charges forward. Stirling scrambles up and resets. Latu punches to the body now. A nice leg kick not far behind it. Stirling clinches and looks for a single leg. Latu shakes him off and they’re back to the middle. Latu swings with a wild wheel kick that misses before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Stirling.
Round 2 – Stirling opens up by touching with a series of high-low combinations. He then goes to the body with a punch and a leg kick behind it. Stirling keeps the pressure high with volume striking. Latu starts to fire back with punches and they clinch up. Stirling gets a Thai clinch and lands a couple of short strikes. They separate, and BANG! The left hand from Stirling drops Latu for the knockout! WOW!
Result: Navajo Stirling def. Phillip Latu via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:21
Recap: DWCS 71 video: City Kickboxing’s Navajo Stirling sleeps Phillip Latu with big left hand
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 71: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Stirling (5-0), Latu (6-2)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Quemuel Ottoni vs. Kody Steele
The fight between Ottoni and Steele was scratched during the broadcast due to Ottoni withdrawing.
Quemuel Ottoni has withdrew from tonight's fight against Kody Steele.
Hear more from Dana White ⬇️ #DWCS pic.twitter.com/8PTGIC18EJ
— UFC (@ufc) September 11, 2024
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 71: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ottoni (12-3), Steele (6-0)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Yousri Belgaroui vs. Taiga Iwasaki
Round 1 – Belgaroui takes control of the center as they feel out the range. Belgaroui charges forward with a couple of punches. Iwasaki looks to answer with a kick and punches upstairs. They clinch up and Belgaroui gets in a solid knee to the midsection. Back in space now, Belgaroui sticks with a solid punch. Iwasaki with a leg kick. Belgaroui fires a left hand followed by a front kick to the body. An accidental poke to Iwasaki pauses the fight momentarily. Iwasaki charges forward with a jumping kick to the body, knocking Belgaroui to the mat. Belgaroui gets up in the clinch and pokes Iwasaki again as he tries to frame. A hard warning for Belgaroui before the restart. Iwasaki blitzes with punches and they’re starting to open up now. Heated exchanges now, both offer punches and kicks. Belgaroui looks for a knee in the Thai clinch.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Belgaroui.
Round 2 – Belgaroui punches to the body as he charges forward. Iwasaki circles away and blitzes with strikes. Belgaroui defends the charge well and resets. Iwasaki clinches against the cage. He looks for a trip but can’t get it. Back in the middle now, Belgaroui snaps a jab and looks for a knee. Another clinch by Iwasaki and a knee gets in from Belgaroui. They separate and get right back into another brief clinch. Iwasaki comes forward swinging punches. Belgaroui trips as he tries to circle away, and Iwasaki clinches again. Belgaroui knees to the body, frames to exit and pokes the eye for a third time. This time Belgaroui gets a point taken.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Belgaroui, but with the deduction, it becomes a 9-9 round.
Round 3 – Iwasaki quickly comes across the cage looking to strike, with Belgaroui ready to answer. Iwasaki sees an opening to clinch and takes it. A knee to the body by Belgaroui. They break apart and reset. Iwasaki gets back in on another clinch. Belgaroui finds an exit and connects with a big jumping switch knee! Iwasaki is reeling backward and Belgaroui storms forward! Follow up punches connect! Iwasaki is hurt and he goes down! The ref steps in and it’s over!
Result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaki via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 3, 2:34
Recap: DWCS 71 video: Kickboxing standout Yousri Belgaroui swarms Taiga Iwasaki for late TKO
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 71: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Belgaroui (8-3), Taiga Iwasaki (9-2)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Otar Tanzilovi vs. Josias Musasa
Round 1 – Action right out of the gate with kicks and punches exchanged. Tanzilovi gets into the clinch and looks to drag the fight to the mat. Musasa breaks free and they return to the center. Musasa cracks with a big left hand. Tanzilovi responds with a high kick and circles on the outside. Musasa charges forward with a couple of punches into a clinch. They separate and are back to striking. A solid right hand connects for Musasa. Tanzilovi looks for a single leg. Musasa defends and reverses the clinch before separating. A two-punch charge from Musasa, and they throw knees at the same time. Both appear low, but Tanzilovi gets the worst of it, and the fight is paused for a few seconds. They get right back into it on the restart with striking exchanges, and Tanzilovi initiating a clinch. Musasa lands a solid left before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Musasa.
Round 2 – The action picks up right where it left off with strikes, and now it’s Musasa with a clinch against the fence. They separate and reset. Musasa presses forward. Tanzilovi gets Musasa down but can’t keep him there. They pop up into another cage clinch. Back in the center now. Musasa comes forward and Tanzilovi gets a high kick blocked. Musasa keeps the pressure on, looking for punches. Tanzilovi cracks with a sharp punch, but Musasa responds with punches in bunches. Tanzilovi tries to slip and dip before circling away. They clinch up again, exchanging more short strikes.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Tanzilovi.
Round 3 – They come forward with strikes and clinch up. Musasa keeps the fight pinned against the cage for a moment before they separate. Tanzilovi lands a quick 1-2. Another cage clinch with short strikes, but a knee from Tanzilovi goes low, pausing the fight for the second time. Less than half a minute break, and we’re back to it. Tanzilovi slaps with a hard kick to the body. A second kick from Tanzilovi gets caught and Musasa uses it to get back control. Musasa slaps on a choke, but he’s off to the side. Tanzilovi powers up from his knee, eventually separating. Tanzilovi gets right back for a clinch and gets his back put on the fence. They exchange knees in the clinch. Both miss with big punches after the separation. Another clinch until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Tanzilovi.
Result: Josias Musasa def. Otar Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 71: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Tanzilovi (9-1), Musasa (8-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Corinne LaFramboise vs. Nicolle Caliari
Round 1 – LaFramboise comes across the cage and fires off a flurry of punches. Caliari gets a clinch and digs in a couple of knees to the body before dragging the fight to the ground. Caliari gets wrapped up from the bottom and opts to stand up. LaFramboise charges forward again with punches into a clinch. Caliari reverses things with a nice throw to the mat. LaFramboise throws up an armbar and then a triangle. Neither are there, but she is able to sweep and get back to her knees. Caliari sticks with a single leg, but eats short elbows to the side of her head. Caliari powers up, but LaFramboise stays with a body lock and drags the fight back to the ground. Caliari throws up an armbar this time and rolls her over. LaFramboise tries to get her arm out but she’s stuck! There’s a verbal tap!
Result: Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne LaFramboise via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:45
Recap: DWCS 71 video: Nicole Caliari submits Corinne LaFramboise off her back
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 71: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Laframboise (8-5), Nicolle Caliari (8-2)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
