Dana White’s Contender Series 22 took place Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
With a refreshing but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders whom the UFC matchmakers can use for future events. So, with that trend in mind, I will once again be taking a look at the winning fighters regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, grading their performances in regards to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.
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Rodrigo Nascimento
Weight class: Heavyweight
Result: Rodrigo Nascimento def. Michal Martinek via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:16
Grade: A
Summary: In a heavyweight fight that was fairly cut and dry, I have a hard time giving Rodrigo Nascimento anything but an A for accomplishing his goal decisively.
His opponent, Michal Martinek, was – in my mind – one of the livelier dogs on the card who showed some promise after reviewing his prior fight tape. But once the 29-year-old from the Czech Republic stepped into the cage with Nascimento, he ran into static in the forms of both size and skill.
After a few awkward clashes on the feet, Martinek looked to force a takedown from the clinch, which seems to be a go-to for him. Unfortunately for Martinek, his somewhat hurried attempt was reversed mid-move by the bigger Brazilian, who ended up in top position.
Once on the mat, size seemed to matter a bit less considering Martinek’s failure to exercise any shrimping or scrambling options from the bottom. Shortly after passing to side control, Nascimento would move to a pinning ride off a leg-drag variation that he used to rain down strikes from, eventually opening up an opportunity to sink in a head-and-arm choke for the finish.
Considering the division in which he competes in, it was no surprise to hear Dana White give Nascimento a contract – adding that the UFC matchmakers already have a fight in mind for the Brazilian in August. Many online immediately took to Twitter suggesting that Nascimento could be next for Greg Hardy, but given that Nascimento said he spent this camp (and will spend future ones) at American Top Team, I suspect the newcomer fills in for a fallout that we’re not yet aware of.
Aalon Cruz
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Aalon Cruz def. Steven Nguyen via third-round knockout (flying knee)
Grade: A
Summary: In what was one of the most compelling fights of the card, Aalon Cruz earns an easy A in my book with his impressive win over Steven Nguyen.
One of the more respectable favorites of the night, Nguyen – a Fortis MMA product – came out and consistently pushed his agenda of hard punches and pressure. Cruz, who hails from the shark tank that is the South Florida MMA scene, came out slinging his patented kicks as expected – showing off his leg dexterity from both sides in the process.
Round two saw more of the same, and though many may have still scored it for Cruz and his hard kicks, Nguyen also was seemingly building in momentum, taking direction from chief cornerman Sayif Saud as if he were a video game character attached to a controller.
Sadly for Nguyen, his predictable pattern of forward pressure cost him in the form of a vicious flying knee – one that was reminiscent of Jeremy Stephens’ win over Dennis Bermudez back at UFC 189. I’m sure Nguyen will learn from this loss, as I would not be surprised to see him on the big stage sometime in the future.
Cruz, who despite looking mean in the cage, came off as a very likable character on camera. And with the 6-foot featherweight calling for a spot on an upcoming South Florida card, I say pair him up with Alex Caceres – a fighter who also has ties to the area.
Aleksa Camur
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Result: Aleksa Camur def. Fabio Cherant via second-round TKO (flying knee and punches)
Grade: A
Summary: Despite getting off to a somewhat slow start as the biggest favorite on the card, Aleksa Camur ends up earning an A for the glimpses of potential he showed en route to his second-round stoppage over Fabio Cherant.
Camur, the Strong Style Fight Team product, came out stalking his southpaw foe in the first, prodding with a conservative selection of strikes that seemingly came up just short. Cherant flashed the countering threats that most lefties possess, but it was ultimately a lackluster round for the 24-year-old.
Cherant, however, picked up his pace come the start of the second, pressing Camur backward and hurting him with a left hand from the rear. Camur stumbled and looked to be in trouble, but came back with an emphatic jump-knee off the counter (adding to the knee-knockout phenomena of 2019), which sent his disoriented foe to the mat.
After that, it took all but a series of follow-up punches to earn Camur the stoppage (as well as a phone call from teammate Stipe Miocic to help secure him a contract). Between B.J. Penn lighting up the UFC president’s phone for another fight and Miocic’s persuasive call for a contract, Dana may want to consider changing his number again.
As for Camur, he might still have some self-admitted growing for his light heavyweight frame, but I would like to see him against the likes of either John Allan or Dequan Townsend for his UFC debut.
Tracy Cortez
Weight class: Flyweight
Result: Tracy Cortez def. Mariya Agapova via unanimous decision
Grade: B
Summary: In what was read that I totally had wrong, I had to give Tracy Cortez a solid grade for what was a great effort en route to her win over fellow flyweight Mariya Agapova.
Agapova, who was an undefeated southpaw that came in with some steam, started things off early by picking and placing some shots on the feet. However, it did not take long for Cortez to get to her game plan, pushing Agapova against the fence to score multiple takedowns, eventually getting the Eastern European’s back.
Unfortunately for Agapova, round two saw more of the same, but with more decisive control from Cortez, who ended the round attempting a tight rear-naked-choke. Cortez looked to be en route to repeating her performance in the third (despite a hard start from her counterpart), but Agapova stayed determined to strike and was finally able to put together offense at the end – albeit too little, too late.
Sympathetic story aside, I’m glad that White gave Cortez a contract, as I can see her honey badger-like stylings providing for some fun fights at flyweight. I say roll the dice a bit by matching her up with either Lauren Mueller or Ariane Lipski – two fighters who, despite many having high hopes for, are coming off of two losses.
Daniel Rodriguez
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Daniel Rodriguez def. Rico Farrington via unanimous decision
Grade: C+
Summary: Don’t let the letter grade fool you, Daniel Rodriguez is a solid fighter who will be landing on a big stage soon.
Paired up in a deceptively tough matchup against fellow southpaw Rico Farrington, Rodriguez had some issues finding his range early on in the rounds, often targeting the legs and what little else he could hit on his tall and elusive target.
Farrington, the MMA Masters product, was able to work the body and find left-cross counters throughout large parts of the first two rounds, but Rodriguez’s dogged pressure would pay off each time – earning himself crucial takedowns to finish the frames.
Come the third round, you could tell both fighters really wanted it. Rodriguez would pressure early, but Farrington – who felt like he was pocketing a lot of his offense early – would payoff his bodywork by visibly hurting Rodriguez. But Rodriguez, as he’s shown in previous rounds and fights, was able to recover and finish strong, taking Farrington down to ride things out while reigning punches from mount.
I’m sure Rodriguez is upset that he didn’t have a contract-winning night, but the UFC president said it best: Rodriguez is now a featherweight who is 9-1 and just got a ton of exposure. Whether it be a short-notice call-up or another shot next season, Rodriguez has both the skills the style to make it and eventually thrive at the top level.
