Topic: Contender Series 2023

Contender Series 2023: Week 3

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Tapology
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05.05.2023 | 1:57 PM ET

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!
Contender Series 2023
  • Tuesday 08.22.2023 at 08:00 PM ET
  • U.S. Broadcast: ESPN+
  • Promotion: Dana White's Contender Series
  • Ownership:
  • Venue: UFC Apex
  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
  • Enclosure: Octagon
  • TV Announcers: Dan Hellie, Laura Sanko, Daniel Cormier
  • Ring Announcer: Justin Bernard
  • Post-Fight Interviews: Laura Sanko
  • MMA Bouts: 4
  • Event Links:
Bout   Info
Zach Reese   defeats   Eli Aronov   via Submission, Armbar   1:14 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page
Oban Elliott   defeats   Kaik Brito   via Decision, Majority   3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page
Josefine Knutsson   defeats   Isis Verbeek   via Decision, Unanimous   3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page
Luis Pajuelo   defeats   Robbie Ring   via KO/TKO, Knee and Ground Punches   3:43 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page

Responses Page 3

JReynolds47
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08.21.2023 | 10:08 AM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

He smashed Kozma and Robert pretty easily. And I think both those guys would win at the ufc level. And I think both those guys are better than Oban

Kaik should be -500

"Jarno Errens, Damir Hadzovic"

theproishiphop
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08.21.2023 | 10:24 AM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Yeah, I like Brito quite a bit in this fight.  I have a -155 ticket on him and then I have him parlayed with another fighter.  I want to see where the scales go and then check out props.  Interesting card as far as the actual fights.

"Sir, ARE you ready? Sir, ARE you ready? FIGHT!!!"

AyyLmaonnaise
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08.21.2023 | 12:05 PM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Dos santos vs periera is off. I know supnarvili is in shambles rn

* Edited at 08.21.2023, 12:06 PM ET *

"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"

AyyLmaonnaise
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08.21.2023 | 12:16 PM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Periera medical issues. Nvm, I know supernarvili is cheering like crazy 

* Edited at 08.21.2023, 12:16 PM ET *

"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"

Meluka
Meluka
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08.21.2023 | 12:22 PM ET

Predictions: 3 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 190 Points   |   Tied for 154th

I’m probably too high on Oban Elliott but idk, something about Brito just doesn’t make me confident in him here. He for sure has the better striking, very fast and very powerful, but he’s very movement reliant and that starts to fade the longer the fight goes, especially when being forced to grapple and fight at a high pace. Seems pretty susceptible to leg kicks too which are Oban’s best strike imo. 

I think the line here is justified. I think a big part of it is gonna be how physically strong is Oban compared to Brito. Brito was conceding deep takedown positions to Kozma still in his last fight, and if Kozma were a little stronger (or less rocked) he could have probably finished more of those takedowns. 
2023.08.21 1:29 PM ET

bout status update

Pereira vs. dos Santos Changed from Confirmed to Cancelled
2023.08.21 1:29 PM ET

weigh-in result

Felipe dos Santos: 124.5 lbs (56.5 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Robbie Ring: 145.5 lbs (66.0 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Luis Pajuelo: 145.5 lbs (66.0 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Isis Verbeek: 114.5 lbs (51.9 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Josefine Knutsson: 116.0 lbs (52.6 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Oban Elliott: 170.5 lbs (77.3 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:30 PM ET

weigh-in result

Kaik Brito: 169.0 lbs (76.7 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:31 PM ET

weigh-in result

Eli Aronov: 185.5 lbs (84.1 kgs)
2023.08.21 1:31 PM ET

weigh-in result

Zach Reese: 185.5 lbs (84.1 kgs)
JReynolds47
JReynolds47
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08.21.2023 | 1:57 PM ET

meluka

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

hes oktagon champion

that alone should be enough

"Jarno Errens, Damir Hadzovic"

Meluka
Meluka
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08.21.2023 | 2:14 PM ET

Predictions: 3 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 190 Points   |   Tied for 154th

I rate Oktagon above Cage Warriors for sure but just being champ in that Org alone isn’t indicative enough I don’t think. Definitely a great accolade but doesn’t automatically qualify you for the UFC imo

* Edited at 08.21.2023, 2:14 PM ET *

Jodra
Jodra
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08.21.2023 | 2:23 PM ET

pereira vs dos Santos is off? That's unfortunate, that's the fight i'm most looking forward to
AyyLmaonnaise
AyyLmaonnaise
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08.21.2023 | 2:41 PM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Yea periera had medical issues from the weight cut

"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"

Jodra
Jodra
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08.21.2023 | 2:43 PM ET

I really hope they rebook the fight. Both of them are young interesting flyweight prospects.

Or just sign both of them. Flyweight should get all the prospects it can.
supnavarili
supnavarili
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08.21.2023 | 3:09 PM ET

I rate LFA highest. Oktagon is the weakest promotion in my opinion. Fight nights and M1 are better.
supnavarili
supnavarili
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08.21.2023 | 3:10 PM ET

Brito is brazilian Josef Wittner.
supnavarili
supnavarili
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08.21.2023 | 3:11 PM ET

@AyyLmaonnaise 

No, it is good. Now I am not risking of looking stupid if Pereira would've ktfo dos santos.
AyyLmaonnaise
AyyLmaonnaise
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08.21.2023 | 3:18 PM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Lmao fair point 

"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"

JReynolds47
JReynolds47
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08.21.2023 | 3:34 PM ET

Supnavarili

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

You get hit in the head?

"Jarno Errens, Damir Hadzovic"

Squeakypuff
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08.21.2023 | 3:51 PM ET

Predictions: 2 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 140 Points   |   Tied for 435th

This card is sketchier than a sketchbook owned by a sketch artist whose favorite pastime is to sketch sketches in his sketchbook.

"I'll make my own damn quote." -Me

supnavarili
supnavarili
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08.21.2023 | 3:59 PM ET

@JReynolds47 

You euro biased.
JReynolds47
JReynolds47
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08.21.2023 | 4:06 PM ET

Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

Kaik isn't European 

"Jarno Errens, Damir Hadzovic"

TheWormLumbriga
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08.21.2023 | 5:08 PM ET

Cage Warriors Fighters

Predictions: 1 of 2 Winners, 1 Perfect, 75 Points   |   Tied for 913th

just another chicken coming from the Cage Warriors, Kaik is knocking him out

"Brazilian amateur fighter 0-0"

Tjl0106
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08.21.2023 | 5:18 PM ET

Prediction Comments

Predictions: 2 of 4 Winners, 2 Perfect, 175 Points   |   Tied for 234th

Aronov vs. Reese
Eli Aronov, SUB, R2
This is an interesting fight between two guys that still have a lot of “what ifs” surrounding them. Aronov’s cardio isn’t good but I don’t know if Reese has bad cardio or not. There may be some recency bias with Aronov due to his last fight. He did look good but he has a lot of stuff to work on. He’s a short middleweight and his striking defense lacks big time. His footwork and head movement isn’t where it should be with someone at a big height disadvantage. Reese is a big middleweight and his takedown defense seems pretty good but Reese hasn’t been tested against a wrestler like Aronov yet. If Arinov’s striking defense holds up for at least a round, he should get the round 2 sub. Lot of question marks around both these guys though.

Elliott vs. Brito
Kaik Brito, TKO, R1
This is another good fight made by the matchmakers that’s hard to predict. I find myself more impressed with the striking of Brito than the wrestling of Elliott. Elliott can most likely take Brito down but I don’t believe he can hold Brito down. Elliott’s striking has improved a lot over the years but it’s still levels below Brito. I see Brito overwhelming Elliott with his striking and getting a round 1 TKO.

Verbeek vs. Knutsson
Josefine Knutsson, DEC
This is a great fight made by the matchmakers. It sucks to see one lose but both are young enough that they can bounce back and find their way to the UFC. They are both excellent in the clinch and very dangerous on the outside. I’m picking Knutsson because she can hang with Verbeek on the feet and she has more tools to win.

Ring vs. Pajuelo
Luis Pajuelo, TKO, R1
We get a fighter like Pajuelo every season. Last season we got Trevor Peek, Season five had Genaro Valdéz, and season four had Jacob Silva. Meaning Pajuelo is a fighter limited in skills but prides himself on toughness. I do like Ring much more as a prospect as his ceiling is undoubtedly higher. This is way too soon for him though as I did not expect to see him on the Contender Series at least till season nine. I’ll take Pajuelo, the much older and experienced fighter, to finish Ring before he can work his ground game in.


* Edited at 08.21.2023, 5:19 PM ET *

"I kind of try to focus on the moment, in the present. That’s humility. That’s being humble. That’s not setting no expectation. That’s going out there, enjoying the game, competing at a high level.” - Giannis Antetokounmpo"

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