LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 73 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The seventh week of the eighth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at heavyweight, Danylo Voievodkin (7-0) shocked Bellator veteran Bailey Schoenfelder (5-1) with a gigantic upset.
The UFC Apex hosted the card, which streamed live on ESPN+.
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Who won a UFC contract?
At the conclusion of the event, White handed out UFC contracts to all five winners: Alexia Thainara, Kevin Vallejos, Kevin Christian, Daniel Frunza and Danylo Voievodkin.
DWCS 73 full results
- [autotag]Danylo Voievodkin[/autotag] def. [autotag]Bailey Schoenfelder[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:13
- [autotag]Daniel Frunza[/autotag] def. [autotag]Vadym Kutsyi[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:30
- [autotag]Kevin Christian[/autotag] def. [autotag]Francesco Mazzeo[/autotag] via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:17
- [autotag]Kevin Vallejos[/autotag] def. [autotag]Cam Teague[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:23
- [autotag]Alexia Thainara[/autotag] def. [autotag]Rose Conceicao[/autotag] via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
DWCS 73 round-by-round updates
Rose Conceicao vs. Alexia Thainara
Round 1 – Conceicao lands two early leg kicks and Thainara responds with an easy trip takedown to land in top position just 40 seconds in. She decides to stand up, however, and lands a big shot on Conceicao as she stands up. They trade big punches in the middle before Thainara pushes her opponent into the fence. Conceicao breaks away and they settle into a striking exchange, with Conceicao landing another hard low kick. Thainara gets another takedown but can’t achieve much in top position before it returns to the feet. Conceicao does more damage with leg kicks and a solid knee to the body in the clinch. The fight stays standing down the stretch with both sides connecting to the head and body.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Thainara.
Round 2 – Conceicao comes out with bad intentions on the feet but Thainara shuts it down with a takedown. She stands up and willingly trades with Conceicao as she moves forward. Conceicao is struggling to get respect in the striking exchanges, even when she lands clean. She tries for a takedown off a caught kick but Thainara breaks away and is looking to land something big. She backs Thainara up with kicks and punches. Conceicao keeps trying to counter but has little success as Thainara stuns her with a big combination! Thainara is chasing for the finish but Conceicao is recovered as she answers with punches of her own to slow Thainara’s aggression to close the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Thainara.
Round 3 – Conceicao takes the center of the cage and lands a few punches on Thainara, who fends off the desperation attempt with a clean left hand that snaps her opponent’s head back. Both women are swinging for the fences at this point but can’t find the off button on the other. Thainara’s shots have more zip on them at this stage and she won’t give Conceicao much room to breathe. Conceicao waves her on though and they return to the center of the cage. Thainara taunts in between her right hands and she is beaming with confidence at this point. Conceicao is not giving in, but she’s needs a miracle to win it at this point. Thainara keeps the pressure on in the final seconds and seals the deal on a dominant effort.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Thainara and a clear 30-27 overall.
Result: Alexia Thainara def. Rose Conceicao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 73: Best photos
Records: Thainara (11-1), Conceicao (7-1)
Division: Strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Cam Teague vs. Kevin Vallejos
Round 1 – Vallejos scores with a trio of early leg kicks and Teague tries to walk through it as they clash in a big combination. Vallejos seems to be the more accurate boxer early, but Teague seems unconcerned about the power coming his way as he eats clean shot after clean shot and moves forward. Vallejos steps back and stabs at Teague with front kicks to the body. Vallejos is growing in confidence as he lands some more huge clean shots. Teague has a ridiculous chin but if finally truly hurt! He covers up near the fence and moves back and Vallejos unloads with a flurry of hooks, one of which sends Teague to his back and causes the referee to step in. Teague protests the stoppage, but that was a beatdown from Vallejos.
Result: Kevin Vallejos def. Cam Teague via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:23
Recap: Kevin Vallejos bombards durable Cam Teague with punishment for TKO
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 73: Best photos
Records: Vallejos (14-1), Teague (7-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Kevin Christian vs. Francesco Mazzeo
Round 1 – Christian’s 6-foot-7 frame is staggering from the jump and he uses the range early to throw leg kicks and work around the jab. Mazzeo forces his way inside the range and gets a takedown into top position. Christian uses elbows to cut his opponent from on bottom but Mazzeo manages to hold position for now. Time burns off the clock and Christian is making little effort to scramble up while Mazzeo is being just active enough from inside guard to avoid being stood up by the referee for the remainder of the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mazzeo.
Round 2 – Christian is clearly cautious of the takedown to start the round. Mazzeo lands a pair of leg kicks and is trying to navigate the range against his massive opponent, who moves forward with a big elbow. Mazzeo clinches Christian and tries to push him into the fence but is reversed. Mazzeo breaks and lands a huge overhand right that Christian takes without issue. Christian is very flat-footed and inactive with his movement and output, but he is huge. Mazzeo manages to keep Christian at bay with his lopping shots, however, they are draining on his cardio. He puts maximum energy into a takedown attempt and gets it with 90 seconds left. Christian is stuck on his butt against the cage and begins to scoot up before Mazzaeo swings him back to the mat. Christian throws his legs up into a triangle choke and it’s tight! Mazzeo tries to get out but Christian extends the arm and gets the tap from the combination submission. Wow. Terrible mistake from Mazzeo to get caught in that while clearly ahead.
Result: Kevin Christian def. Francesco Mazzeo via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:17
Recap: 6-foot-7 Kevin Christian taps Francisco Mazzeo from the bottom
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 73: Best photos
Records: Christian (9-2), Mazzeo (4-1)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Daniel Frunza vs. Vadym Kutsyi
Round 1 – Frunza fires off a fast early head kick that’s blocked. He nearly lands another one as Kutsyi looks a little hesitant to start the fight. Frunza stings him again but they collide and Kutsyi ends up in top position. He starts unloading with heavy ground-and-pound that has Frunza reacting badly and trying to scramble free. Kutsyi displays a smothering top game as he tries to take the mount but allows Frunza to get up. Kutsyi has the body lock and trips Frunza to the mat, who pops back up. They trade punches and Kutsyi connects with a shot that sends Frunza to his butt! He pounces on top and tries to swarm with ground-and-pound for the finish, but Frunza manages to survive the onslaught and pop up to his feet. Frunza scores with a nice punch in the final seconds to close a wild round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kutsyi.
Round 2 – They go right back to work to begin the frame with Frunza crashing in on his punches, causing a clash of heads. Kutsyi’s pace has slowed from the opening frame and Frunza seems to sense it as he’s very aggressive with his hands. Kutsyi counters with an uppercut and gets a takedown moments later, but he can’t keep Frunza down. Frunza charges forward and forces another takedown out of Kutsyi against the fence. It fails and Frunza is back in the open and scoring with multiple straight punches. He goes for a flying knee that misses but he sense his opponent is in trouble. Kutsyi is tired and throwing desperation haymakers that are mostly missing. Frunza is all over Kutsyi and attacking the body with knees and kicks. Kutsyi shoots for a takedown that is unsuccessful and Frunza is now attacking him on the ground. Frunza swarms with ground-and-pound and Kutsyi covers up until the referee steps in and saves him from more punishment. Brilliant performance from Frunza.
Result: Daniel Frunza def. Vadym Kutsyi via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:30
Recap: Daniel Frunza bashes Vadim Kutsyi for stoppage
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 73: Best photos
Records: Frunza (9-2), Kutsyi (17-2)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Bailey Schoenfelder vs. Danylo Voievodkin
Round 1 – Both men are peppering each other with low kicks early and stepping into the pocket. Voievodkin lands a huge punch that drops Schoenfelder to the mat and he’s hurt! Voievodkin immediately snatches the neck, gets on top and locks in the rear-naked choke that forces the MASSIVE upset. Voievodkin was a +550 underdog on some books and finishes the fight in the first. Stunning result.
Result: Danylo Voievodkin def. Bailey Schoenfelder via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:13
Recap: Danylo Voievodkin upsets Bailey Schoenfelder with 63-second club-and-sub
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 73: Best photos
Records: Voievodkin (7-0), Schoenfelder (5-1)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 73.