Dana White’s Contender Series ‘Season 3, Week 6’ Play-by-Play & Results

Michal Martinek (239.5) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento Ferreira (257)

Round 1

Martinek throws a couple kicks early and then eats a knee to the face from Ferreira, who actually appeared to be attempting a head kick. Ferreira rushes forward with punches and they tie up. Martinek turns Ferreira into the fence as they remain in the clinch. Martinek looks to land a body-lock takedown but instead ends up pulling his Brazilian foe on top of him. Ferreira passes guard, dropping punches and an elbow along the way. Ferreira is currently in side control about halfway through the frame. Ferreira drops some more short elbows from top position. Ferreira uses the offense to transition to an arm-triangle choke, and he’s already on the proper side to finish the submission. The Brazilian applies the squeeze and Martinek is forced to tap out seconds later.

The Official Result

Rodrigo Nascimento Ferreira def. Michael Martinek via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R1 3:16

Rico Farrington (171) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (171)

Round 1

Farrington counters Rodriguez with a two-punch combination at the outset. Rodriguez responds with a low outside kick. Farrington has a five-inch reach advantage and will want to strike on the outside. Rodriguez closes the distance with big power punches, but Farrington counters nicely, landing a left hand to the body. Rodriguez continues to mix in low kicks. Farrington sticks a one-two. Farrington with another one-two and then jabs to the body. Rodriguez blocks a high kick. Another outside leg kick connects for Rodriguez. Farrington keeps working behind his one-two. Rodriguez follows his jab with a massive left hook but he can’t find the range. That’s his bread-and-butter in terms of punches. However, he does continue to land low kicks. They clinch with 30 seconds to go and Rodriguez drives Farrington into the fence. Rodriguez lands a couple knees to the midsection and then gets a takedown just before the horn. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Round 2

Farrington lands a jab and a straight left. Rodriguez tags his man with a jab and then gets back to work with more low kicks. Farrington throws a crisp one-two, but Rodriguez has his guard up. Rodriguez clinches behind a massive left, but Farrington is able to break in short order. Rodriguez looks to close the distance, then lands a leg kick before Farrington circles away. Rodriguez with another leg kick and then dodges a counter. Farrington presses the action and connects with a straight left. Rodriguez is coming up short on his power punches, but he continues to land leg kicks. A straight left lands on the chest for Farrington. Rodriguez snaps his foe’s head back with a left. Rodriguez shoots for a takedown in the waning moments and gets it. The horn sounds almost as soon as he gets Farrington to the canvas. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Round 3

Farrington is the one opening the round with a leg kick this time. Rodriguez looks to work his way in, and he connects wit a solid left hand. Another left hand connects for Rodriguez in an exchange. Rodriguez lands a heavy leg kick. Rodriguez moves forward behind his jab, and they exchange near the fence. Farrington lands a clean counter left off a Rodriguez leg kick. Rodriguez catches Farrington getting reckless and changes levels for a takedown with a little more than 2:00 remaining. Farrington scoots his way to the fence. Farrington is able to scramble up and they’re standing once again. A left to the body lands for Farrington. Rodriguez drops low and gets Farrington down near the fence. A scramble ensues but Rodriguez moves to full mount. He postures up and rains down punches. Referee Jason Herzog is taking a close look, but Farrington is saved by the horn. 10-9 Rodriguez (30-27 Rodriguez).

The Official Result

Daniel Rodriguez def. Rico Farrington via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Mariya Agapova (125) vs. Tracy Cortez (126)

Round 1

Agapova whips an inside leg kick that lands, then has a head kick blocked shortly thereafter. A straight left lands for Agapova, and Cortez pushes forward. Another left connects for Agapova, who has the reach advantage. Another left tags Cortez on the chin as the Phoenix native was walking in. Cortez forces the clinch and pushes Agapova into the fence. They briefly separate and Cortez lands a right before shooting a double leg. She lifts Agapova and dumps her on the canvas. Cortez transitions to her opponent’s back, landing several left hands to the side of the head. Cortez is able to drag Agapova down and get her hooks in. They scramble, but Cortez regains back control and lands more punches to the head. Agapova is able to turn into top position and land an elbow. Cortez explodes up and immediately drives Agapova into the cage. Agapova gets double underhooks and turns her foe into the cage. Cortez reverses position and lands three knees before transitioning to a double leg. She gets a takedown late in the frame and drops one more big elbow before the horn. 10-9 Cortez.

Round 2

Cortez counters a low kick with a right hand. After blocking a high kick, Cortez explodes for a takedown and gets Agapova down near the fence. Agapova stands and clings to a leg. Cortez sprawls and lands punches to the side of the head. Cortez is able to roll and threatens to take her foe’s back before transitioning to full mount. Cortez drops some elbows before taking her opponent’s back once again. Cortez has a body triangle secured with 3:00 to go as she hunts for the choke, looking to create openings with punches. Agapova is defending the hands so far. Agapova tries to turn but can’t due to the body triangle. Cortez punishes her with more punches. Cortez is trying to work her right arm under the chin, but Agapova is able to break her foe’s grip. Cortez alternates right hands to the body and head. Agapova is stuck here, even though she has done a good job fending off the rear-naked choke. Cortez adjusts the choke and it’s closer, but Agapova is able to turn her head and resist. Cortez ends the round punishing the body from back control. Dominant round. 10-8 Cortez.

Round 3

Agapova steps in with a one-two. Cortez pushes forward behind power punches. Agapova lands a kick to the body. Agapova sprawls on a takedown and Cortez drives her into the fence. Cortez adjusts, traps Agapova’s left leg and gets the takedown. Cortez is on top in north-south position against the fence, and Agapova is attempting to push off the fence. Once again, Cortez is working to take Agapova’s back. Cortez has both hooks in about halfway through the period. Agapova is still trying to push off the fence, but Cortez is in control here. Eventually, Agapova is able to turn into top position. There’s a little more than a minute left. Cortez scrambles up and they’re back in the center of the cage. Agapova lands a jab, then a one-two on the feet. Cortez clinches behind a right hand and lands a knee, then another right on the break. They trade and then clinch with Cortez landing a knee before the horn. 10-9 Cortez (30-26 Cortez).

The Official Result

Tracy Cortez def. Mariya Agapova via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27) R3 5:00

Aalon Cruz (146) vs. Steven Nguyen (146)

Round 1

Cruz fires out a jab immediately, but Nguyen counters a low kick with a punch that sends Cruz to the mat. The featherweights are wasting no time trading. A nice high kick for Cruz that’s caught but it still partially lands. Cruz follows up with a body kick. Nguyen lands a low kick and follows with a one-two. A hard body kick lands for Nguyen and then he presses the action with a punching combination. Cruz answers back with a low kick. Cruz just misses a hook kick. A one-two lands for Nguyen. Cruz connects with a left hook to the body. Cruz lands a body kick. Nguyen remains aggressive, marching forward and throwing straight shots. Cruz continues to blend a variety of kicks into his attack. Nguyen counters a kick with a combination. A left lands for Nguyen as he moves forward. Cruz lands a glancing cartwheel kick just before the horn. 10-9 Cruz.

Round 2

A straight right connects for Nguyen. Cruz continues to work a tool box of kicks. A stiff jab lands for Cruz. Cruz finds a home for a body kick. The featherweights trade jabs. Cruz with another body kick. Cruz drops low for a single leg but Nguyen steps out of it. Nguyen counters a Cruz kick with a combination punctuated by a straight right hand. Nguyen pressures forward, staying busy with punches. Cruz creates distance with a push kick and then a flying knee appears to land flush on the chin. Nguyen eats it and appears to be unfazed. Another body kick lands for Cruz, then a front kick. He’s using his kicks to control the range, whether they land or not. Nguyen looks to get inside, but Cruz shoots for a takedown. Nguyen defends and turns his foe into the cage. Cruz changes levels just as the horn sounds but he can’t get his man down. 10-9 Cruz.

Round 3

Nguyen finds the range with a snapping body kick. Cruz lands a low kick. Nguyen continues to look to close the distance, but he’s struggling to find the range. A straight right lands for Cruz and Nguyen shakes it off. Cruz connects with a couple solid jabs. Cruz misses an upward elbow but follows it with a body kick. A spinning high kick from Cruz lands on the side of Nguyen’s neck. Cruz continues to mix up a variety of kicks, but it hasn’t prevented Nguyen from moving forward. A short left hook lands for Nguyen. Nguyen presses forward with a combination and Cruz circles away. With about 30 seconds to go, Nguyen realizes he needs a sense of urgency and forces the action. As he moves forward, Cruz times a jumping knee perfectly, landing it directly on Nguyen’s chin. Nguyen falls backward and his head bounces off the canvas. He’s out, but Cruz is able to dive in and land two more follow-up punches before the contest is halted.

The Official Result

Aalon Cruz def. Steven Nguyen via KO (Knee) R3 4:36

Aleksa Camur (204) vs. Fabio Cherant (205)

Round 1

Camur throws a high kick right away, but it’s blocked. Camur stalks his foe and lands a hard low kick. Camur feints a jab and then lands a solid right hand. Cherant answers with a powerful head kick that’s partially blocked, but the impact still resonates. The light heavyweights trade kicks to the body. Cherant steps in with a one-two, but Camur takes it well. A straight right lands for Camur. The combatants clinch after a flying knee from Camur. They separate quickly. Camur with a right hand. Camur with a low kick. Camur with a body kick. Both fighters swinging heavy power punches late in the frame, but nothing connects. 10-9 Camur.

Round 2

Cherant lands a big left hand and Camur is briefly staggered. Cherant tries to capitalize, but Camur recovers quickly and takes advantage of his reckless opponent. A flying knee from Camur lands flush sends Cherant stumbling backward to the mat. Camur pounces for the finish. Cherant is turtled up on the canvas, and Camur unloads with punches and hammerfists. Cherant is no longer defending himself and referee Chris Tognoni steps in to wave off the bout.

The Official Result

Aleksa Camur def. Fabio Cherant via TKO (Knee and Punches) R2 0:48