This article is the play-by-play to accompany the live coverage of “Dana White’s Contender Series.” Live coverage of the show can be found here.
Quick Results:
Bout 1: Aliaskhab Khizriev def. Henrique Shiguemoto via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 0:50)
Bout 2: Drako Rodriguez def. Mana Martinez via Submission, Triangle Choke (RD 1, 2:22)
Bout 3: Phil Hawes def. Khadzhimurat Bestaev via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:18)
Bout 4: Sherrard Blackledge def. Cameron Church via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 5: Tafon Nchukwi def. Al Matavao via KO, Head Kick (RD 2, 2:01)
Play-by-Play:
Bout 1: Aliaskhab Khizriev (12-0) vs. Henrique Shiguemoto (13-3-1) (Middleweight)
Khizriev slipped early in the round as the fighters threw wild strikes. Getting up, Khizriev got a takedown from a body lock. He got on the back of Shiguemoto where he tried for a rear naked choke. Shiguemoto was quick to tap out, ending the bout.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Khizriev | ||||
| Shiguemoto |
Bout 2: Mana Martinez (6-1) vs. Drako Rodriguez (6-1) (Bantamweight)
Rodriguez landed a clean right cross in the first minute of the fight. He got a takedown moments later by catching a kick. Martinez landed some hammerfist strikes from the bottom. Rodriguez escaped an armbar attempt, moving into full guard after. Martinez was able to move into top position, although Rodrgiuez tried for a triangle choke from the bottom. Martinez stood up while in the choke, although he eventually dropped down due to losing consciousness. Rodriguez got the win with the choke.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Martinez | ||||
| Rodriguez |
Bout 3: Phil Hawes (7-2) vs. Khadzhimurat Bestaev (10-3) (Middleweight)
Both fighters connected with hard leg kicks early on. Hawes countered a punch with a right hook of his own in the second minute that dropped Bestaev, ending the fight.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Hawes | ||||
| Bestaev |
Bout 4: Cameron Church (4-0) vs. Sherrard Blackledge (4-0) (Lightweight)
Blackledge tried for a takedown from a clinch in the first minute, although Church was able to back up against the fence to stop the attempt. They returned to stand-up in the second minute. The fighters traded hard punches for a minute. Blackledge got a takedown in the third minute, although Church was quick to work his way back to his feet. Church was the more aggressive on the feet, pressing forward with punches and kicks. Blackledge landed a combination of punches after leaving a clinch in the fourth minute. Blackledge scored a double leg takedown in the final minute of the round. Church got up just before the round ended.
Blackledge shot for a takedown early in the second round. He threw knees to Church from a clinch after failing for a takedown. One of the knees hit Church in the groin, causing a break in the action. Blackledge put together a series of punches in the second minute of the round that cause the referee to warn Church to respond. A pause came in the second minute of the fight after a kick hit Blackledge in the groin. Blackledge got a takedown in the third minute of the round. Church tried for an armbar from the bottom, although Blackledge was able to escape and return to the feet. Blackledge got another takedown in the fourth minute. Church tried for an armbar again from the bottom, although just like last time Blackledge was able to escape. Blackledge got on the back of Church, throwing strikes from the position. They returned to the feet before the round concluded.
Blackledge got another double leg takedown in the second minute of the final round. Blackledge was able to stay in control on the ground, changing positions frequently, until the round ended. Going to the scorecards, Blackledge picked up the win (30-27, 30-27 & 29-28).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Church | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| Blackledge | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
Bout 5: Tafon Nchukwi (3-0) vs. Al Matavao (8-2) (Light Heavyweight)
A left hand from Nchukwi shook Matavao a minute into the fight. Nchukwi landed knees to the body while in a clinch in the second minute. Matavao unloaded a flurry of hooks to the head in the third minute of the fight. A small cut opened on Matavao in the round.
Nchukwi had a combination of punches to the body early in the second round that hurt Matavao. Nchukwi landed a perfectly timed head kick to a backing up Matavao in the second minute of the round. The kicked knocked Matavao out, ending the fight.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Nchukwi | ||||
| Matavao |
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