Dana White’s Contender Series season 9 features a new crop of UFC hopefuls looking to impress UFC CEO Dana White and the UFC matchmakers for the chance to secure a contact with the UFC.
On Tuesday, the ninth season of DWCS kicked off with a five-bout fight card headlined by a middleweight match between Ilian Bouafia and Neemias Santana.
With the matchup pitting an orthodox fighter against a southpaw, there was a lot of feeling out in the opening two minutes. Bouafia slipped while throwing a head kick and Santana seized the opportunity to gain top control. In a blatant show of unsportsmanlike conduct, Santana head butted Bouafia. The referee immediately stepped in.
Bouafia reacted immediately to the head butt, holding his left eye. After nearly three minutes, the fight continued with Santana receiving a point deduction.
Santana tried to get the fight to the ground but ended up on the bottom. Bouafia postured up and delivered punches and elbows. Santana got to his feet and separated but was met with a kick to the face. He absorbed it. The round ended with the two working in the clinch along the fence.
Santana pressed forward in the second frame. He threw power shots but Bouafia stayed just out of range. Santana began targeting Bouafia’s body. Bouafia’s jab kept Santana on the outside. In the closing moments of the round Santana put his foot on the gas and landed a back kick to the body followed by a right hand. He urged Bouafia to engages as the time expired.
Santana looked to counter most of the fight but Bouafia would land his jab and move away. Neither fighter fought the final round with a sense of urgency. Late in the round, Bouafia slipped while throwing a kick and Santana gained top position on the ground. Bouafia grabbed Santana’s glove and used it to create the space to kick Santana off. The referee quickly returned Bouafia to the ground and reset the position to where it was prior to the infraction. With only ten seconds left on the clock, the fight ended with Santana standing over Bouafia and Bouafia trying to land up kicks.
The judges scored the fight for Bouafia via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 30–26, 29–27, and 29–27.
Related: Paddy Pimblett trashes top lightweight contenders
DWCS Season 9 – Week 1 Results
Ilian Bouafia def. Neemias Santana via unanimous decision (30–26, 29–27, 29–27)Ty Miller def. Jimmy Drago via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Baysangur Susurkaev def. Murtaza Talha via TKO (body kick) at 3:04, Round 1Radley da Silva def. George Mangos via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
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