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Contender Series Week 4 Preview

The fourth edition of Dana White’s 2021 Contender Series goes down on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. Let’s take a look at all five matchups.

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The fourth edition of Dana White’s 2021 Contender Series goes down on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Last week five more contracts were handed out, totaling 15 on the season. Week 4 will feature ten more fighters looking to earn their UFC contract. From undefeated fighters to DWCS returnees, week 4 has the potential to be the most entertaining week of the season. Let’s take a look at all five matchups and see what the fighters bring to the table.

Jacob Rosales (13-6) vs. Victor Martinez (12-4)

Contender Series week 4 starts with Jacob Rosales vs. Victor Martinez. Both fighters prefer to strike but maintain different styles to find success. At 26 years old, Rosales is an exciting prospect with natural power that flows with his crisp striking. After losing on the Contender Series in 2019, Rosales went 2-1 in LFA to earn another shot. The experience, skills, and heart are there. All Rosales needs is an impressive performance to find himself in the UFC.

On the contrary, Martinez looks to extend his six-win streak. After starting his pro career 0-2, Martinez began to improve tremendously. Martinez found himself with a 6-4 record before winning his last six fights. Martinez has 8 KO/TKOs due to his aggressive pressure and heavy hands. Although most opponents try not to strike with Rosales, Martinez has the tools to find success. Regardless of who wins, Rosales vs. Martinez should be entertaining due to their equal willingness to stay on the feet and exchange combos.

Kleydson Rodrigues (6-1) vs. Santo Curatolo (6-1)

Secondly, Kleydson Rodrigues and Santo Curatolo go toe-to-toe at flyweight. Rodrigues is on a five-win streak dating back to September 2016. He is well-rounded and has a lot of strength compared to most flyweights. Rodrigues main issue is that he has not stayed active enough. After fighting six times in four years, Rodrigues has not fought in two years. Anyhow, he is 25 years old and could do damage in the UFC flyweight division.

Curatolo is a dangerous fighter that always looks for the finish. He has ended all six of his wins with a finish. Curatolo has fought exclusively with CFFC and fought some tough competition along the way. Although his fight style is well-rounded, Curatolo’s aggression has been his key to success. It will be interesting to see how his aggression matches up with Rodrigues’s strength.

Steven Nguyen (7-1) vs. Theo Rlayang (5-0) could be fight of the night at Contender Series week 4

Thirdly, Steven Nguyen appears on DWCS for a second time against Theo Rlayang. Training out of Fortis MMA, Nguyen is one of the most intriguing featherweight prospects around. After compiling a record of 6-0, Nguyen lost on the Contender Series by flying knee. He returned one and a half years later to get one of the best regional knockouts of the year at LFA 101. With five first-round finishes, Nguyen fights explosively with a high fight IQ. Safe to say, he will do whatever it takes to make the best of his second opportunity.

Conversely, Theo Rlayang continues to finish fights and improve. At 27 years old, Rlayang made his pro debut in February 2020. Since then, he has built a 5-0 record with four finishes. The concern for Rlayang is that his opponent’s combined record at the time was 14-25-1. He throws a lot of feints and switches stances a lot to confuse his opponent. Nguyen has been surprised before, and Rlayang has the tools to get the job done. It is hard to see this fight going the distance.

Michael Morales (11-0) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (9-3)

Fourthly, Michael Morales vs. Nikolay Veretennikov features opponents with a 13 year age difference. Morales comes in as one of the youngest fighters to compete on DWCS. At 21 years old, Morales is 11-0 with 9 KOs/TKOs. His ability to stay patient and use his quick striking has worked wonders for him. Unfortunately, Morales has only been past the second round twice and could have his cardio tested. The key to success will be to control the pace and keep Veretennikov away. Win or lose, Morales has a bright future in the sport of MMA.

Veretennikov has only one more fight but comes in at 34 years old. After starting his pro career 1-3, Veretennikov managed to win eight straight, six by KO/TKO. Veretennikov thrives in close range and manages to create a lot of damage wherever the fight goes. He needs to apply pressure this fight because Morales has struggled on his back foot. His durability should be the biggest concern for Morales.

Hashem Arkhagha (6-0) vs. AJ Dobson (5-0) set to headline Contender Series Week 4

Lastly, Hashem Arkhagha vs. AJ Dobson will end the night with a hard-hitting matchup. Arkhagha comes into this fight 6-0 with six finishes. After starting his pro career 4-0, Arkhagha took off seven years from competition before returning in 2019. Unfortunately, Arkhagaha missed weight by three pounds at the weigh-ins today. Consequently, concerns have arisen over how he will be able to perform. Although he missed weight, Arkhagha still possesses the power to end any fight. In addition, the missed weight may force him to go all-out for an early finish.

Alternatively, Dobson may be the most dangerous fighter on this fight card. Holding a record of 5-0, Dobson has finished three fights by KO/TKO. His powerful striking can KO his opponent in only one punch. At 29 years old, Dobson’s only flaws have been staying consistently active and fighting more experienced opponents. None of that will matter if he can secure his fourth KO/TKO in the main event against Arkhagha.

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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