Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3 Episode 6 Full Report

On Tuesday, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass aired the sixth of nine episodes of Dana White’s Contender Series. The show showcased five fights, ranging from the promotion’s heaviest to lightest weight class. Let’s start with the first bout where the heavyweights showcased their talent.

Bout 1: Michal Martinek (7-0) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (6-0) (Heavyweight)

The first fight was a clash of two undefeated heavyweights. From the Czech Republic, Michal Martinek faced Brazilian Rodrigo Nascimento. Early in the fight Martinek had Nascimento up against the cage. He tried for a takedown but Nascimento ended up on top. After landing some strikes, Nascimento put in a arm and head choke which made Martinek tap out. 

My Scorecard:

Bout 2: Rico Farrington (7-2) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (8-1) (Welterweight)

The next bout was a welterweight bout. Despite being fight win-loss records, the two fighters in this bout made up one-half of the losses from all fighters records tonight. The first round of the fight had close striking, even though Farrington had the reach advantage. Rodriguez landed many leg kicks. He also landed a takedown in the final moments of the first round. They continued to keep it mostly stand-up through all three rounds. Rodriguez rocked Farrington with punches early in the third round. Farrington found a home for his left cross in this round. At the end of the third Rodriguez took the fight to the ground and nearly ended it due to strikes. The judges gave Daniel Rodriguez the fight unanimously (30-27, 29-28 & 29-28).

My Scorecard:

Bout 3: Mariya Agapova (6-0) vs. Tracy Cortez (5-1) (Flyweight)

The next fight was a flyweight battle between Mariya Agapova and Tracy Cortez. Cortez landed a trip in the clinch in the third minute after evenly matched stand-up. She took the back of Agapova and landed some punches. Agapova flipped around and took top position. They stood back up, still in clinch. Cortez landed knees in clinch and then got a takedown as the round winded down. Cortez scored another takedown only seconds into the second round. Agapova got up and grabbed a leg of Cortez, although she was brought back to the ground. Cortez showed off amazing wrestling. Cortez was on Agapova’s back for the rest of the round but never fully got in a rear naked choke. In the final round, Cortez came in with a takedown but Agapova nearly got the better of it, putting in a headlock. Cortez was able to push out of it and take Agapova’s back once again. They stood back up near the end, with the fight going all three rounds. Tracy Cortez got her victory in quite decisive fashion (30-26, 30-26 & 29-27). She was emotional after the fight, as she fights her brother and mother who have passed away. 

My Scorecard:

Bout 4: Aalon Cruz (7-2) vs. Steven Nguyen (6-0) (Featherweight)

In the co-main event fight, Aalon Cruz fought undefeated Steven Nguyen. The first round of the fight was strictly punches and kicks. Cruz was the one who threw more kicks throughout. Both fighters were in a close battle, until the final minute when Cruz landed a flying knee which ended the bout. Dana White, who was octagon-side motioned to Cruz that he had eanred his contract. 

My Scorecard:

Bout 5: Fabio Cherant (4-0) vs. Aleksa Camur (4-0) (Light Heavyweight)

In the main event of this episode, two undefeated light heavyweights in Fabio Cherant and Aleksa Camur competed. Camur made his way out of the first round for the first time in his career. In the second round Cherant landed a good punch but Camur responded with a flying knee which dropped Cherant. Cherant was still in it, but Camur kept hitting him with hammerfist punches. The referee eventually called off the bout.

My Scorecard:

After some time, Dana White decided to sign Rodrigo Nascimento, Tracy Cortez, Aalon Cruz and Aleksa Camur.