LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 75 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 ninth week of the eighth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at light heavyweight, former kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov (3-1), who holds a September 2021 victory over UFC champion Alex Pereira under the GLORY banner, took on Islem Masraf (3-1).
The UFC Apex hosted the card, which streamed live on ESPN+.
Round 1 – They touch ’em up, and Masraf comes in swinging heavy hooks! Vakhitov gets clipped by one, and backs into the fence. Masraf gets a clinch and a takedown, but Vakhitov gets up and exits quickly. Vakhitov is on the clinch now. They separate and Masraf comes forward with punches, right into a takedown. Vakhitov gets down to a knee, but pops back to his feet and reverses the clinch. Masraf goes for a trip, but gets reversed, and eats clean punches on his way up. Back in space now with just over a minute left. Vakhitov gets a clinch and lands a knee before they separate. Vakhitov rips a right to the body and BANG! A huge right hand stuns Masraf in his tracks. Vakhitov pours it on for the finish!
Result: Artem Vakhitov def. Islem Masraf via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:23
Recap: DWCS 75 results: Artem Vakhitov earns UFC contract with help from ex-rival Alex Pereira
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 75: Best photos
Records: Masraf (3-1), Vakhitov (3-1)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Round 1 – Both study the range as they bounce around the cage. Blair looks for a head kick in the opening moments, but it’s blocked. Steele comes forward with punches and looks for a takedown, but gets shucked away. The striking exchanges start to heat up as Blair lands a stiff left hand. Steele rips a hard kick to the body and a right hand not far behind it. Steele looks for a single leg, but can’t get it. Blair stings with a left now. Steele answers with a solid right a few moments later. Steele with a combination now. Blair sneaks in a counter shot before circling. Steele keeps coming forward with huge hooks. Blair connects with a sharp counter as Steele swings. Steele keeps offering hooks and looks for a takedown. Blair keeps things standing. Steele goes for a head kick right at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Steele.
Round 2 – Blair doubles up the jab and looks for a head kick. Steele comes forward and blocks another head kick. Blair lands a body-head combo. They exchange punches upstairs, and Steele adds one to the body. Steele comes forward again, staying aware of the counter. He rips another punch to the body as Blair circles away. Steele misses with a head kick and Blair charges forward with a left hand. They’re trading punches close to the fence now. Both land clean. Blair circles to reset and Steele closes in to land more punches. Another nice combo for Steele. Ripping to the body now is Steele. Blair answers, but Steele keeps landing. A big left hand to the body from Steele! Blair goes down! It’s a delayed reaction, but Steele swarms, and it’s over!
Result: Kody Steele def. Chasen Blair via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:07
Recap: DWCS 75 video: Kody Steele shuts down Chasen Blair with liver shot
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 75: Best photos
Records: Blair (6-3), Steele (7-0)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Round 1 – They get into striking range and begin feeling out each other with quick strikes. Camacho offers kicks and punches while Pinto keeps his guard high, looking for an opening. BANG! There’s a sharp counter left hook! Camacho goes down and Pinto swarms! Big follow-up punches to the head on the ground and the referee stops it. What a finish!
Result: Mario Pinto def. Lucas Camacho via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:43
Recap: DWCS 75 video: Mario Pinto floors, pounds out Lucas Camacho
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 75: Best photos
Records: Camacho (6-1), Pinto (9-0)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Round 1 – Antunes opens up with a powerful leg kick. Dulatov responds with a fast combination. They reset, and Dulatov darts forward, unloading punches. He’s just throwing bombs at Antunes right now! Not everything is landing, but the punches keep coming! Antunes finally gets a hold of him to stop the storm. Dulatov exits the clinch, and steps right back in with another furious combination. Antunes attempts to answer, but Dulatov charges forward with another combo. Antunes starts to fire back with big strikes. Dulatov steps out of danger, but steps back in with a huge right elbow! Antunes folds to the canvas! He’s out cold!
Result: Islam Dulatov def. Vanilto Antunes via knockout (elbow) – Round 1, 2:44
Recap: DWCS 75: Islam Dulatov smokes Vanilto Antunes unconscious with standing elbow
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 75: Best photos
Records: Antunes (16-7), Dulatov (11-1)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Round 1 – Gauci comes out to control the center of the cage, keeping his hands high and tight. Drilich circles on the outside and offers a few punches. Gauci shoots in but is easily denied. Drilich fires off a fast combo as Gauci closes in. Drilich continues to circle and work behind a right jab. Another takedown attempt from Gauci is shucked off. More quick punches from Drilich find the mark as Gauci stalks forward. Gauci gets in on a single leg, but is pushed away. Drilich keeps the striking volume high. One minute left. Gauci finally lands meaningful offense with a pair of solid right hands. He connects again in the final exchange.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Drilich.
Round 2 – Drilich fires in a hard kick to the body, followed by quick punches as he circles on the outside. Gauci sits on a right hand, finding the target upstairs. More punches offered from Drilich. Gauci shoots in, completing a takedown, but Drilich is right back up to his feet. Drilich gets back to working behind his right jab as his circles. Gauci lands a solid right elbow. Drilich shoots in a moment later, but is easily stuffed. Gauci gets a double leg, but can’t keep the fight on the mat. He lands a nice strike on the exit. Drilich lands a nice inside kick to punches combo. Gauci lands a trio of hard punches before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Gauci.
Round 3 – Drilich comes out firing quick strikes from the outside. Gauci charges in with strong punches. A knee strike from Drilich appears to land low, but Gauci waves the ref away. Gauci stays on the heavy forward pressure, landing solid punches before shooting for a takedown. It’s successful, but Drilich gets up quickly. Gauci lands a hard right hook. The punching exchanges continue at a high clip, with Drilich offering more volume, but Gauci more power. Another takedown threat from Gauci goes nowhere, but he lands an elbow on the exit. Drilich keeps touching with punches. Gauci gets a takedown, this time keeping the fight on the ground in guard. Big ground and pound from the top for Gauci until the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Gauci, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Sean Gauci def. Anthony Drilich via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 75: Best photos
Records: Drilich (8-2), Gauci (10-1)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 75.
