Dana White's Contender Series 2023 Week 9 Play-by-Play and Results

Mauricio Ruffy (170) vs. Raimond Magomedaliev (170.5)

Round 1

Eric McMahon will be the third man in the cage for this welterweight bout. Ruffy takes the center of the cage and Magomedaliev flicks out a high kick. A hard low kick lands for the Dagestani. Another low kick for Magomedaliev. Magomedaliev works the body with another kick. Ruffy lands a low kick of his own. It’s all kicks for both men in the early going, with Magomedaliev chopping away at the legs. Big movements from Magomedaliev but he whiffs on a pair of high kicks, one of the spinning variety. They’re trading low kicks as the feeling out process continues two minutes into the fight. Magomedaliev ducks under for a takedown as Ruffy lands a big hook. The Brazilian angles out nicely. Magomedaliev catches a heavy body kick, but it landed. Magomedaliev wings a hook to the body and Ruffy lands a low kick in response. Magomedaliev whiffs on a spinning wheel kick. Ruffy probes with another low kick. Magomedaliev responds in turn. Magomedaliev wings a big three-punch combo and Ruffy circles out. Magomedaliev with a knee in close quarters at the end of an exchange. A two-punch combination just misses for Magomedaliev. Ruffy and Magomedaliev trade low kicks again. They cllinch with 30 seconds to go and separate quickly. Magomedaliev ducks under a big punch from Ruffy. Magomedaliev lands a push kick. Ruffy has a high kick blocked at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedaliev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedaliev
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Magomedaliev

Round 2

Ruffy lands a low kick right away and it appears to make Magomedaliev stumble for a moment. Lots of feinting before Magomedaliev blitzes behind a right hand. They clinch briefly and separate. Ruffy is really starting to target the calf of his foe. Ruffy misses a spinning wheel kick. Magomedaliev jabs the body. Magomedaliev wings a couple rights that Ruffy eludes without issue. Magomedaliev targets the body with a kick but Ruffy blocks it. A jab lands for Magomedaliev and he follows it with a low kick. Ruffy partially lands a straight right and then follows with a thudding leg kick. Ruffy works behind a low kick and a jab, but offense is lacking so far on both sides. Ruffy fires off a right and they clinch. Magomedaliev tosses his man to the ground but he lets Ruffy back up. Ruffy just misses a big right. A spinning kick to the body connects for the Brazilian. Magomedaliev walks his man into the fence and fires off a combination. Ruffy forces the clinch and turns his man into the cage. They separate and Ruffy lands a right hand. Magomedaliev with a low kick. Magomedaliev connects with a stinging right. The Dagestani backs his man into the fence and punches his way into the clinch. Ruffy reverses and Magomedaliev ends the frame with a spinning elbow attempt.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy

Round 3

Another heavy calf kick connects for Ruffy. Magomedaliev misses some big right hands as he applies pressure. Magomedaliev lands a leg kick of his own. Magomedaliev blocks a high kick by Ruffy. Magomedaliev pressures with a punching combination, but Ruffy snaps his man’s head back with a straight left. Ruffy loads up on a right and Magomedaliev backs up from the impact. Ruffy with another damaging calf kick, prompting Magomedaliev to clinch with his foe. They separate in short order and Ruffy lands a big right followed by a hard uppercut through the guard of his adversary. Ruffy is gaining confidence as he connects with a spinning back elbow. Magomedaliev is cut near his forehead now, which is revealed to be from a clash of heads. An emboldened Ruffy steps in and lands a big right uppercut. Magomedaliev wings punches and stumbles into the clinch. Ruffy defends a level change against the fence. They break and Ruffy is still teeing off with hard straight punches. Ruffy leaps in with a left hook. Ruffy fires off a straight right and avoids Magomedaliev counter. Magomedaliev changes levels just as Ruffy fires a spinning back elbow. Ruffy defends the takedown and moves into full mount as Magomedaliev pulls him on top. Ruffy is teeing off with ground-and-pound as Magomedaliev rolls to his stomach. McMahon urges Magomedaliev to move and defend himself, but Ruffy continues to deliver punishment from above. Ruffy gets a finish in the waning seconds of the final round, his ninth career triumph via KO or TKO.

The Result

Mauricio Ruffy def. Raimond Magomedaliev via TKO (Punches) R3 4:45

Jose Medina (205) vs. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205)

Round 1

Jason Herzog is in charge of this light heavyweight contest. Gadzhiyasulov jabs to the body and lands an outside leg kick. The Dagestani kicks the body. Another body jab for Gadzhiyasulov and he again follows with a leg kick. Gadzhiyasulov just misses on a head kick. A double jab and a body kick lands for Gadzhiyasulov, as he’s getting to work right away. Medina looks overmatched but he’s waving his foe on as he eats some punches ot the head. Gadzhiyasulov goes low with a leg kick and then upstairs with a head kick. Another low kick makes Medina stumble. Medina blicks a body kick. A side kick to the body finds the mark for Gadzhiyasulov. Gadzhiyasulov continues to jab the body. A right hand partially lands for the Dagestani striker. They clinch and Gadzhiyasulov pushes Medina into the fence. They break quickly and Medina returns to the center of the cage. Gadzhiyasulov lands a switch kick to the body. More thudding leg kicks land for Gadzhiyasulov. Gadzhiyasulov finds the range on a spinning back fist as the one-way traffic continues. Gadzhiyasulov is doing well staying patient and controlling the range. Medina crahses forward but Gadzhiyasulov pushes him into the fence. They separate and Medina makes his foe stumble briefly from a heavy shot before he shoves Gadzhiyasulov into the fence. Medina with a nice elbow in clinch. Medina spins away in the waning seconds and Gadzhiyasulov misses the mark with a high kick at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov

Round 2

Gadzhiyasulov with a side kick to the body to open the round. Gadzhiyasulov kicks the body, then lands another body kick. Medina fires off a flurry of punches and nods toward his opponent. Gadzhiyasulov lands a hard front kick down the middle. Gadzhiyasulov jabs the body and lands a straight right to the head. A nice one-two lands for Gadzhiyasulov and then he targets the legs. A hard body kick appears to stop Medina in his tracks for a moment. The Bolivian opts to wrestle, but Gadzhiyasulov reverses his man into the fence and they break in short order. Medina lands a punch after a spinning elbow form Gadzhiyasulov. Medina moves forward and lands an elbow before forcing the clinch. Gadzhiyasulov reverses position and looks for a trip before they separate. Medina lands a couple punches, and then Gadzhiyasulov busts Medina’s nose open with a spinning elbow. Moments later, Gadzhiyasulov lands the first takedown of the fight and passes to half guard. Medina recovers full guard and throws an elbow from his back. Gadzhiyasulov creates space and lands a right as he stands. Gadzhiyasulov kicks at the legs and then dives with a right that misses the mark. Gadzhiyasulov grabs a rear body lock as Medina stands. Gadzhiyasulov drags his foe back to the canvas, but Medina works his way back up. Gadzhiyasulov lands a high kick and the break and a spinning back elbow. Medina continues to charge forward as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov

Round 3

Gadzhiyasulov initiates the clinch immediately and plants Medina on his seat. Medina stands quickly but he can’t break his foe’s grip. They break and Gadzhiyasulov misses a spnning attack. Medina is still throwing punches, and occasionally some of his offerings land. Gadzhiyasulov elects to shoot for a takedown to break up the brawl and he grounds Medina briefly. Gadzhiyasulov maintains control as Medina stands, and the Dagestani backs off. They trade and Gadzhiyasulov lands a left hook. Medina smiles and then lands a chopping elbow in close. Gadzhiyasulov steps in with an elbow. Gadzhiyasulov gets a single leg on a lazy shot, and he sets up in half guard with a little more than 2:00 to go. Medina recovers full guard, and Medina lands elbows from his back. Gadzhiyasulov is tired, but he’s doing his best to stay active with ground-and-pound so he can keep the position. He stands for a moment and then dives back into Medina’s guard. Medina briefly threatens with an armbar, but Gadzhiyasulov escapes. Medina gives up his back in hopes of standing. Gadzhiyasulov keeps his hands connected and makes Medina carry his weight. They break with 30 seconds remaining. Gadzhiyasulov lands a body kick and then a spinning elbow as Medina marches forward. Gadzhiyasulov closes the range and trips Medina to the canvas. The Dagestani will end the fight in side control.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov (30-27 Gadzhiyasulov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov (30-27 Gadzhiyasulov)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov (30-27 Gadzhiyasulov)

The Result

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov def. Jose Medina via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Eduardo Torres (135) vs. Victor Hugo Silva (135.5)

Round 1

Eric McMahon will officiate this bantamweight clash. Torres looks for a high kick but Silva blocks it. A spinning kick by Silva allows Torres to close the distance and take the back with a rear body lock. Torres lands a knee as the work along the fence before Silva reverses position and gets a single leg takedown. Silva lands in side control before stepping into half guard. Torres is active from his back, threatening with a triangle before Silva slams his way out of it. Silva briefly clears the legs and drops a heavy punch before transitioning to a heel hook. Torres patiently looks to free himself, but Silva switches to a calf slicer. Torres manages to escape but Silva remains in top position. Silva stands and backs awayas Torres remains on his back. Torres kicks at the knees of his foe and then stands. Silva just misses the mark on an uppercut. Silva partially lands a spinning back kick to the body. Torres misses a wheel kick and Silva holds his palms outstretched in response. Silva counters to the body during a late exchange and the round ends shortly after.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 2

Torres lands a front kick to the midsection. Silva kicks the legs and body of his foe. A leg kick spins Silva around. A big right bcks Torres up, nd Silva avoids the follow-up offering. Silva shoots for a takedown but Torres pops up and defends with his back to the fence. Torres is able to reverse position in the clinch as the bantamweights jockey for position. Torres controls the position and pulls his foe to the canvas. As they go to the ground, Silva scrambles to secure a knee bar. It’s pretty deep and Torres grimaces as he attempts to defend the maneuver. The Brazilian continues to apply torque and Torres has no choice but to ask out of the fight. It’s the 10th submission win of Silva’s professional career.

The Result

Victor Hugo Silva def. Eduardo Torres via Submission (Kneebar) R2 2:16

Rodolfo Bellato (205) vs. Murtaza Talha Ali (203.5)

Round 1

Jason Herzog will oversee the evening’s featured light heavyweight matchup. Bellato spins his foe around with a leg kick. He targets the leg again with another hard low kick. It’s another low kick for Bellato followed by a jab to the body. Ali looks ot initiate the clinch but Bellato shucks him off. Bellato batters the leg again with Ali on the outside. Ali moves in with punches and lands several hooks and uppercuts in close. Bellato indicates it didn’t bother him and he goes back to chopping at the legs. Ali advances behind heavy punches and Bellato sprawls on a takedown. Back at range, Bellato has a leg kick checked. Bellato lands a front kick and then a leg kick. Ali pressures forward and lands a pair of uppercuts in close. They clinch, and Ali does more work with uppercuts and elbows. Bellato backs his man into the fence and lands a knee to the face. Ali follows an elbow with an uppercut. Ali blitzes forward with a combination and they clinch again. Bellato takes control and they trade knees in the clinch. Ali with several short puches in close. Ali follows an uppercut with a left hand, and Bellato’s face is wearing some damage. Ali lands a straight right at range and Bellato targets the legs before they clinch in the center. Uppercuts are traded until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ali
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ali
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ali

Round 2

Bellato goes right back to work with a leg kick. Bellato sprawls on a takedown and then shucks Ali to the canvas. Back at range, Bellato throws a low kick. Suddenly, the combatants trade short punches in close quarters before clinching. Bellato shoves Ali into the cage and lands some short shots. Bellato with a short elbow to the face. Bellato is landing serious offense in close, opening a cut near Ali’s eye as he controls the clinch. Elbows knees and punches land for Bellato, but somehow Ali fires back with a flurry of punches. Bellato goes back to the clinch, and he lands several short elbows. They trade uppercuts, but Bellato batters his man with knees, and Ali is hurting. Bellato continues his assault in the clinch and Ali shoots out of desperation. Bellato threatens with a brabo choke but lets it go to resume punishing Ali in the clinch. Bellato knees the gut again, then fires off a series of short uppercuts. Ali covers up, then wings power shots as a last resort. He can’t match the brutal approach of his opponent, however. Bellato is doing work here, alternating between knees and punches in close. Ali covers up then crumbles to the ground. Ali puts one hand down to protect himself from being kneed in the head, but Bellato keeps the pressure on, this time teeing off with one final flurry of punches. Ali can do little more than cover up at this point. Herzog, who had been taking a close look, has seen enough and waves off the fight.

The Result

Rodolfo Bellato def. Murtaza Talha Ali via TKO (Punches) R2 4:46