MMA Junkie had you covered with live results and round-by-round updates of Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 83 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 seventh week of the ninth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at middleweight, Dani Barbir took on Mantas Kondratavicius.
The UFC Apex hosted the card, which streamed live on ESPN+.
DWCS 83 full results
- Mantas Kondratavicius def. Dani Barbir via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:06
- Murtazali Magomedov def. Brahyan Zurcher via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:37
- Jeisla Chaves def. Sofia Montenegro via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Javier Reyes def. Justice Torres via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:32
- Rafael Tobias def. Jair de Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:46
Who won a UFC contract?
At the conclusion of the fights, UFC CEO Dana White extended contract offers to six fighters – the second instance in the history of the show. Rafael Tobias, Javier Reyes, Jeisla Chaves, Sofia Montenegro, Murtazali Magomedov, and Mantas Kondratavicius all walk away with a UFC contract.
Dani Barbir vs. Mantas Kondratavicius
Round 1 – They touch gloves and immediately get to business, trading punches. Now there’s a wild scramble for position, going to the mat, and back to their feet. They separate with Kondratavicius coming forward. BOOM! Kondratavicius lands a huge overhand right to slump Barbir! Kondratavicius tries to follow up, but the referee is quick to stop the fight. WOW!
Murtazali Magomedov vs. Brahyan Zurcher
Round 1 – Magomedov takes the center, and Zurcher fires off a few leg kicks as he circles on the outside. Magomedov lands an overhand right. The kicks continue from Zurcher, and then he swings with an overhand left from the parking lot. Magomedov clips Zurcher with a short left jab. Zurcher is buckled from the shot! Magomedov quickly follows up with pinpoint punches. Bang! The left sits Zurcher is down! Magomedov swarms, and it’s over!
Jeisla Chaves vs. Sofia Montenegro
Round 1 – They touch ’em up and Chaves gets it started with a leg kick. Montenegro closes the distance with fast punches, catching Chaves clean. Montenegro keeps the pressure high with more punches. Chaves’ nose is already pouring blood. There’s another clean combination, hurting Chaves. Montenegro looks for a takedown, but it’s not there. Wow, both have blood all over their faces just two minutes in. Montenegro keeps marching forward. Chaves fires back now and connects nicely, but Montenegro answers. There’s a big overhand right from Chaves. A moment later, Chaves adds a very nice 1-2. They continue to trade punches, but Montenegreo is no longer firing first. Chaves lands a nice left hook. Montenegro answers with a right hand. Montenegro clinches in the closing seconds. 10-9 Montenegro.
Round 2 – Montenegro comes out firing, blasting Chaves with hard punches. A left lands and down goes Chaves! Montenegro swarms with heavy shots as the ref warns for shots to the back of the head. Chaves manages to wrap up the arms to prevent a finish. Montenegro gets free and tries to stand. Chaves throws an upkick, but the referee pauses to warn about the potential illegal strike. The ref allows the fight to continue as is, and Montenegro takes top position. They work up to the feet. Montenegro keeps the clinch along the fence as they trade short strikes. The pace slows as Chaves keeps Montenegro tied up and fatigue sets in. They separate in the final seconds. Chaves blasts Montenegro with a beautiful 1-2 right before the horn! 10-9 Montenegro.
Round 3 – They touch gloves and get right back to trading punches. Montenegro moves forward, but it’s Chaves offering strikes first. There’s that 1-2 again. And again. Chaves continues to pick off Montenegro as she circles on the outside. Montenegro fires back with a leg kick and a couple of punches upstairs. Chaves circles and lands a kick to the body. Montenegro answers. Chaves lands a nice combo. Montenegro changes levels nicely for a trip takedown. Chaves offers punches and elbows from her back in full guard. The refere claps to stay busy, but it looks like Montenegro thought that was a signal to stand up. Anyway, we’re back to the feet and they’re back to slugging it out. Montenegro looks for another takedown, but it’s not there. Chaves lands a left just before the horn. 10-9 Montenegro, giving her the fight 30-27.
Javier Reyes vs. Justice Torres
Round 1 – Reyes darts forward with an early combination, one that Torres easily evades. Reyes continues to fire punches first, keeping Torres on alert defensively. Torres changes things up and starts to look for a takedown. His first attempt isn’t there. They move around the cage with Torres applying pressure. The second takedown attempt is good, but Reyes is quick to get back up. Reyes comes forward with punches. There’s a big shot to the body. He’s tagging Torres now. More punches land! Torres retreats. He’s in trouble. Reyes pours on the pressure, hunting for the finish. Torres covers up and drops to canvas! More follow-ups land for Reyes and it’s over!
Jair de Oliveira vs. Rafael Tobias
Round 1 – They touch gloves and begin feeling out the range. Leg kicks are exchanged, but Oliveira steps in with a right hand. Tobias answers with a fast counter left, appearing to hurt Oliveira. They reset to the center, and Tobias lands another hard left hand. Tobias tries to swarm with follow-up shots, but Oliveira circles out. Oliveira looks to get some respect back with leg kicks and punches upstairs. Tobias defends well, and cracks him with a hard right hand. Tobias gets a single leg takedown and quickly takes the back. He slaps on the rear-naked choke! He’s cranking! It’s a verbal tap!
