Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.
With a simple 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 the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.
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Alexia Thainara
Weight class: Strawweight
Result: Alexia Thainara def. Rose Conceicao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Grade: C+
Summary: Aside from being the lone decision of the night, I found it hard to justify anything higher than a C+ for [autotag]Alexia Thainara[/autotag]’s winning effort over Rose Conceicao.
Being former training partners didn’t appear to infringe upon the action like that dynamic usually does, but I admittedly got a bit bored seeing the same two exchanges play out repeatedly. Whenever Thainara wasn’t pecking away with leg kicks on the outside, she was just essentially bullying an outmatched Conceicao to the fence with a cross to the body followed by a winging hook up top.
Although Thainara swung hard with effect, she never really came close to getting (a possibly one-legged) Conceicao out of there and took plenty of punches in the process.
Thainara did have solid takedowns – both in the clinch and in the open – that I hope she shows more of in the future. That said, Thainara definitely needs to shore up her defense standing if she wants to avoid being on the wrong end of significant strike stats in the future.
I’m not surprised to see Dana White sign Thainara given the – at this point – obvious discount recruitment purpose of the show. Don’t be surprised to see Thainara used to test other regional talents like Puja Tomar or Shauna Bannon.
Kevin Vallejos
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Kevin Vallejos def. Cam Teague via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:23
Grade: B
Summary: Making quick work of Cam Teague, it was hard to deny [autotag]Kevin Vallejos[/autotag] anything short of an A for his beautiful, pocket boxing performance.
Teague, who reminded me of Mr. Satan from the Dragon Ball Z series, came out showing his vaunted toughness until Vallejos smartly started going to the body.
Not only did Vallejos’ bodywork prove the old adage correct in regards to going to the body on a durable-chinned opponent, but it also helped the Argentinian fighter overwhelm the guard of Teague (who was polished off with a short left hook shortly after being visibly hurt to the midsection).
Between the performance itself and this being Vallejos’ second swing at bat on the Contender Series, seeing White sign the 22-year-old was a no-brainer. Vallejos is also the first fighter who is a part of the UFC Mexico PI development system to get a UFC contract.
I hope they don’t rush Vallejos given his age, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him before year’s end against someone like Connor Matthews or Westin Wilson.
Kevin Christian
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Result: Kevin Christian def. Francesco Mazzeo via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:17
Grade: C
Summary: Despite doing his fair share for taking part in the worst fight of the night, I had to at least bump [autotag]Kevin Christian[/autotag] up to a C after Francesco Mazzeo was kind enough to fall into a submission for him.
Aside from the actual signing, I couldn’t agree with the UFC president’s analysis of this fight more in regards to Christian failing to properly utilize his frame. From a lack of jabs in space to a lack of urgency in closed quarters, I could not find anything I liked about Christian’s game.
I’m guessing that Mick Maynard is pushing for Christian based on previous performances, but I’m not sure how great that sample size is given that he’s only had 1 fight in the past 4 years.
But hey, everyone loves a big man. I mean, look at what Shaquille O’Neal – one of the most historically overrated athletes in any sport – has been able to do just by being big and tall. That said, I’m obviously not as hopeful for Christian’s prospects in this sport (a sport where he won’t be getting help from the referees like Shaq and his teams did throughout his career).
Anyway, taking an opportunity to trash Shaq and trigger Lakers fans aside, I’ll be really curious to see what the UFC does with Christian. Part of me suspects that Maynard will try and give him a favorable fight in hopes of having his decision age well, but I hope that they feed him to an undefeated up-and-comer like Magomed Gadzhiyasulov.
Daniel Frunza
Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Daniel Frunza def. Vadym Kutsyi via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:30
Grade: A
Summary: Even though [autotag]Daniel Frunza[/autotag] had to survive some heavy onslaughts from Vadym Kutsyi early, I had a hard time shorting the Romanian of an A given that this was all a part of his plan.
Knowing the Kutsyi traditionally comes out hot, Frunza smartly weathered the early storm so that he could take advantage of a tiring foe come Round 2. Although it took Frunza a little while to finally listen to his corner and work Kutsyi’s body, the 39-year-old eventually followed orders and (surprise, surprise) was able to crush his opponent’s fighting spirit after a couple of hard knees to the body.
Daniel Cormier was smart to, once again, point to how devastating bodywork can be – but I doubt it will change the perception of everyone from the judges to the Gen Pop who sadly still undervalue good bodywork and clinch striking in favor of big swinging, sloppy headshots that hardly land clean. But I digress.
As far as Frunza goes, I believe that he’ll make for a solid, action-fighting addition to the UFC’s welterweight stable. And since he’s vocal about earning money and bonuses alike, I say pair Frunza up with someone like Billy Goff for a fun stylistic affair.
Danylo Voievodkin
Weight class: Heavyweight
Result: Danylo Voievodkin def. Bailey Schoenfelder via unanimous submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:13
Grade: A-
Summary: Between winning as North of an 8-1 underdog to beating another overhyped ex-American footballer, I feel obligated to bump [autotag]Danylo Voievodkin[/autotag] up to an A- for making quick work of Baily Schoenfelder.
I say this all the time, but death, taxes and the MMA space grossly overhyping any American heavyweight who played with a pigskin ball growing up. I mean, how many times do I have to tell you guys?
How many times do I have to point out that Brendan Schaub, of all people, is sadly the best fighter in this category by a country mile before we stop treating everyone who played football like some sort of “preordained god sent down to grace our savage sport with REAL ATHLETICISM?”
For crying out loud …
Despite weekly shows reminding us which divisions the actual talent and entertainment resides in, the UFC matchmakers can’t seem to do the math on their terrible track record when it comes to finding their “great white hope” (which is undeniably how this space treats ex-football-playing heavyweights).
As for Voievodkin, I say pair him up with the winner of Robelis Despaigne vs. Austen Lane in hopes of another comical upset over an overhyped athlete.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 73.