Tag: Dana White’s Contender Series 53

Karl Williams ready to go full force into UFC deal after DWCS 53 win when odds were against him

Karl Williams turned 32 in January. He couldn’t have known then his age might cause him some stress trying to break into the UFC.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Karl Williams[/autotag] turned 32 in January. He couldn’t have known at the time that his age might cause him some stress while trying to break into the UFC.

Just a week ago, UFC president Dana White said he typically isn’t looking to bring 32-year-old fighters into the promotion through Dana White’s Contender Series. But he also said he trusts matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard when they set up fights, and 32-year-old Blake Bilder impressed him enough at DWCS 52 to get a deal.

Tuesday, Williams (7-1) took a unanimous decision from Jimmy Lawson (4-2) at DWCS 53. The fact he didn’t get a finish, combined with the knowledge of what White just had said about fighters his exact age had him a little nervous he wouldn’t get a UFC contract.

“It’s still a win, but I’m not satisfied because I know what Dana White is looking for,” Williams said at a post-event news conference. “I’ve been watching the Contender Series for a while. … Knowing the performance, and even last week he was saying about (fighters) being 32, I’m like, ‘Oh, here we go. Geez, give me a break.’ He did give me a break and gave me the opportunity.”

Williams got a deal with his fourth straight win, and now he’s hoping for a quick turnaround to potentially fight on the UFC’s Oct. 29 card with some of his American Top Team Atlanta teammates, including Cody Durden.

He also was fighting up at heavyweight against an opponent 30 pounds heavier than him. He’s naturally a light heavyweight, and that’s where he plans to return in the UFC.

“You’re just living in the moment right now, and I’m thinking about ‘When is the next one?’ It’s like, excited and then trying to figure out where we go from here,” Williams said. “I’m trying to be active. I’m trying to get two more by the end of the year, if possible.

“I believe in my coaches, believe in my team, so I never really think I’m going to lose. It was bad odds, but with what I’ve been doing, I’ve been training all year. Even having to take five weeks off, I still felt confident – I’m not going to give my best performance (at DWCS 53), but I’m able to win. I thought I was going to be a little bit better … I didn’t know if I was going to get another shot. … Let’s just win the first time and get it out of the way and get the ball rolling.”

“I’m hoping for Oct. 29, the Vegas card, because I have two of my teammates on that card.”

Check out the full interview with Williams in the video above.

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Vitor Petrino passed challenge of beating someone a second time to get UFC deal at DWCS 53

Vitor Petrino was in a unique position when he walked to the cage for the Dana White’s Contender Series 53 main event Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vitor Petrino[/autotag] was in a unique position when he walked to the cage for the Dana White’s Contender Series 53 main event Tuesday.

Petrino had the pressure of needing to beat someone he already had a win over, and knew if he did so in impressive enough fashion, it also would mean a chance to fight in the biggest promotion in the world.

Petrino (7-0) knocked out Rodolfo Bellato (8-2) in the second round of their light heavyweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and he did indeed secure the UFC deal he was after. He first had fought Bellato in their native Brazil a little more than three years ago in what was Petrino’s first pro fight.

“It’s very hard to describe. It’s a lot of emotions filled into one moment. All this hard work paid off, and here I am in the greatest promotion on the planet,” Petrino said at a post-event news conference.

“I knew the toughness of my opponent – he’s a tough guy. But I obviously just kept to the strategy. I knew he was going to come out guns blazing because of the fact it’s a rematch. But at the end of the day, it worked out. I kept the strategy, and it was one of the best fights of the night.”

Petrino said he wasn’t really concerned about his first win over Bellato – which came in just 25 seconds when he knocked him out in May 2019. This time, they each had more fights under their belts.

Petrino came in with four straight knockouts, including three in the first round, and he continued that streak in his rematch with Bellato.

“I wouldn’t say it was easier or harder,” he said. “What I would say is it was a challenge. When I fought him (the first time), I was 0-0. He was 5-0. It was my debut, and (nearly) four years ago. Four years between two people, I knew I was going to see a different (Bellato). He knew he was going to see a different me. All I had to do was thank him for the opportunity to be here and put on a great fight.”

Now Petrino said he wants to get his UFC career going with a little urgency.

“The earlier, the better,” he said. “I am ready. I am well-trained. Even though it was a war, I’m at 100 percent. I’m ready to go. I’d say I’m ready to go in December. Besides fighting in December, I have a dream of fighting in Brazil. So why not December, and at the end of January, as well. I’m ready. Whoever comes, I’ll face it. We do not choose opponents. We’re ready to put on a show for you guys.”

Check out the full interview with Petrino in the video above.

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Brothers Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim ready for a UFC future without pressure of fighting on the same card

History was at stake when Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim laced up their gloves Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS – History was at stake when [autotag]Ismael Bonfim[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag] laced up their gloves Tuesday.

The Brazilian brothers once again had a chance to fight on the same card as each other. But at Dana White’s Contender Series 53, potential UFC contracts were on the line for each of them. And they delivered.

For the first time in the series’ history, siblings fought on the same card and won on the same card – and both Ismael and Gabriel were given UFC deals by promotion president Dana White.

“It’s very big – huge emotion – because it’s a project that’s been ongoing for 15 years,” Ismael said through a translator at a post-event news conference alongside his brother. “I started at age 7, and then (Gabriel) joined me shortly after that. I never thought we would be hyped together into this and we would be brought into (the UFC) together. Fifteen years of a project together and reaping what we sowed and getting the fruits of our work.”

Ismael Bonfim (18-3) fought first and took a unanimous decision from Nariman Abbasov (28-4). Gabriel Bonfim (13-0) fought in the co-feature and submitted Trey Waters (6-1) with a first-round Von Flue choke.

Oddly enough, the brothers said fighting on the same card as each other isn’t something they necessarily enjoy – though they’ll wind up looking back fondly on this particular event, no doubt.

“It’s a completely out-of-whack emotion and pressure because I’m thinking, ‘Dude, if I lose, I’m going to screw up (Gabriel’s) psyche, and he’s going to end up losing, too. So I’m going to win and put the pressure on him to perform even better,'” Ismael said.

Gabriel confirmed fighting after his brother means he gets a little added stress.

“I was telling (Ismael), ‘I do not want to be on the same card as you,'” Gabriel said. “This is the third time we’ve been on the same card, and I’m always the last one, and the pressure’s always on me. I do not want to do this again.”

But now with UFC contracts secured, they said if they have to fight on the same card again, they would – particularly if it means they can do it when the UFC returns to their home country of Brazil for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro in January.

Gabriel just wants to request a change in the order they fight.

Check out the full interview with Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim in the video above.

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Dana White’s Contender Series 53: Best photos from Las Vegas

Check out these photos from the fights at Dana White’s Contender Series 53 in Las Vegas.

Check out these photos from the fights at Dana White’s Contender Series 53 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. (Photos courtesy of Joshua Hedges, UFC)

Dana White’s Contender Series 53 live results

Follow along with the live results of Dana White’s Contender Series 53 live at UFC Apex.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 53 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 sixth season will see 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. Light heavyweights take center stage in the feature bout as Rodolfo Bellato (8-1) faces Vitor Petrino (6-0).

The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 53 include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Rodolfo Bellato vs. Vitor Petrino
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trey Waters
  • Jimmy Lawson vs. Karl Williams
  • Ismael Bonfim vs. Nariman Abbasov
  • Tereza Bleda vs. Nayara Maia

Continue reading below for more details about each fight.

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