LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 72 event, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC CEO Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The sixth week of the eighth season will see 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at bantamweight, undefeated City Kickboxing fighter Aaron Tau (8-0) clashes with Elijah Smith (6-1).
The UFC Apex hosts the card, which streams live on ESPN+.
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DWCS 72 full results
- [autotag]Aaron Tau[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Elijah Smith[/autotag]
- [autotag]Arthur Lopes[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tallison Teixeira[/autotag]
- [autotag]Benjamin Bennett[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Joey Hart[/autotag]
- [autotag]Ateba Gautier[/autotag] def. [autotag]Yura Naito[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:00
- [autotag]Ahmad Hassanzada[/autotag] def. [autotag]Dylan Mantello[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:14
DWCS 72 round-by-round updates
Ahmad Hassanzada vs. Dylan Mantello
Round 1 – Hassanzada comes out of the gate fighting like an absolute wild man. He throws multiple spinning attacks and is completely reckless early on, but Mantello fends through it and doesn’t take significant damage. Hassanzada lands a big takedown, though, and immediately threatens with a rear-naked choke. Mantello escapes but can’t create much space. Hassanzada keeps on with the grappling pressure to close out a clear round in his favor.
MMA Junkie scores the first round 10-9 for Hassanzada.
Round 2 – Mantello lands a massive straight right hand that folds Hassanzada in the first 20 seconds of the round! Hassanzada somehow pops back to life and goes after the legs and avoids some follow up shots. He presses Mantello against the cage wall and is recovering while he tries for a takedown. Mantello can’t get Hassanzada off his legs but he’s landing some punches and elbows from close range. Mantello finally gets a takedown and in side control while Hassanzada tries to tie up his arms and legs from bottom position. Mantello is trapped but seemingly not in danger of being tapped. Referee Keith Peterson breaks up the fighters as he appears to think Hassanzada is stalling, and the bout returns to the feet. Hassanzada shots for a sloppy takedown and looks absolutely exhausted. Mantello is stalking him and loading up on big shots. Hassanzada slips on a spinning backfist attempt and Mantello asks him to stand up. Mantello lands some late stinging shots to close out a strong and entertaining rebound round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mantello.
Round 3 – Mantello lands a nice early spinning backfist attempt as the pair trade shots. Hassanzada fires back with one of his own but it lacks force. Mantello lands another huge right hand that snaps Hassanzada’s head back. Hassanzada presses forward with some shots of his own and is rediscovering striking success. Hassanzada shoots for a pair of disparate low takedowns, but Mantello stays on his feet near the fence. Hassanzada scoops out his legs and takes the back of Mantello with a body triangle. Hassanzada is controlling the position and locks in a tight rear-naked choke! Mantello tries to fend it off but decides to go to sleep instead of tapping. Hassanzada wins after a very tough middle frame.
Result: Ahmad Hassanzada def. Dylan Mantello via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:14
Recap: Ahmad Hassanzada taps Dylan Mantello in exhausting, back-and-forth bout
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 72: Best photos
Records: Hassanzada (12-3), Mantello (9-3)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Ateba Gautier vs. Yura Naito
Round 1 – Gautier comes out with bad intentions behind his shots as Naito is clearly keen to get the fight to the ground. Naito is met with elbows in his attempt to get the fight to the mat off the cage, and Gautier manages to escape. Gautier loads up on a massive knee that just nearly misses Naito diving for the ankle, and this time he has the takedown. Naito goes to work from top position as Gautier tries to tie him up. Gautier tries to scoot to the fence to get up, but Naito is controlling well and landing some solid punches and elbows from on top to close the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Naito.
Round 2 – It’s a similar start to the round with Gautier loading up for a kill shot on the feet and Naito cautiously navigating around that. He gets Gautier’s back to the fence and starts trying to pull out the legs for a takedown, but Gautier manages to spin free. Gautier lands a big overhand then two huge shots moments later that sent Naito hard to the mat. Gautier pounces on top trying to finish but Naito somehow survives for the time being. Gautier is chipping away with ground-and-pound and after a few moments finally postures up and lands a flurry of shots that force the referee to stop in for the TKO stoppage.
Result: Ateba Gautier def. Yura Naito via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:00
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 72: Best photos
Records: Gautier (6-1), Naito (6-1)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Benjamin Bennett vs. Joey Hart
Round 1 – Both men are methodical with their striking approaches to start the opening round. Hart is much taller and longer, but Bennett looks confident in his ability to jump in and out of the pocket to land. Bennett shoots for a takedown roughly 90 seconds in and manages to drag Hart to the ground near the fence. Bennett works to improve his position as Hart tries to stay calm and work his way back up. Hart finally uses the fence to get up more than a minute later but Bennett is still hanging onto him and drags Hart back to the canvas. Hart gives up his back then scrambles back to his feet. He lands a body kick and a jab, followed by another body kick. Hart’s confidence is growing with his hands. Bennett lands a late counter and the round closes.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Bennett, but his lack of damage on the ground makes it close.
Round 2 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 72: Best photos
Records: Bennett (6-1), Hart (6-1)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Arthur Lopes vs. Tallison Teixeira
Round 1 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 72: Best photos
Records: Lopes (6-1), Teixeira (6-0)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Aaron Tau vs. Elijah Smith
Round 1 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 72: Best photos
Records: Tua (8-0), Smith (6-1)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
DWCS 72 faceoffs
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 72.