Dana White’s Contender Series Week 5: A Night of Drama, Action, and UFC Hopefuls
Another exciting night of mixed martial arts took place as Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) rolled out its 71st edition, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. For those unfamiliar, DWCS is a proving ground for MMA prospects looking to earn a UFC contract. With UFC president Dana White seated cage-side, these fighters aim to impress with high-energy performances, knowing that their future hangs in the balance.
This particular night, dubbed the fifth week of the eighth season, was packed with adrenaline-pumping matchups. A total of 10 fighters squared off, with each fighter gunning for their big shot at a UFC contract. The card was headlined by a promising light heavyweight bout between undefeated Navajo Stirling (4-0) and Phillip Latu (6-1). Airing live on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), the fights delivered plenty of dramatic moments that kept MMA fans glued to their screens.
Headlining Matchup: Navajo Stirling vs. Phillip Latu
The light heavyweight division can be unforgiving, and this headlining bout between Stirling and Latu was expected to deliver fireworks. With Stirling entering the bout undefeated and Latu showing a strong record of his own, the stakes were high. Though this fight wasn’t the only one to capture attention, the tension leading into this headliner set the tone for the night.
As fans tuned in, they witnessed more than just a series of fights – they saw dreams being fought for, each strike and takedown representing years of hard work and dedication. The card was full of action, but a couple of matchups stood out as true fight-night spectacles.
Yousri Belgaroui vs. Taiga Iwasaki: A Battle of Skill and Precision
One of the night's most intense fights was the middleweight clash between Yousri Belgaroui and Taiga Iwasaki. Both fighters came out strong, feeling out the distance and working their game plans early in Round 1. Belgaroui made his presence felt immediately, taking control of the cage and charging forward with a couple of sharp punches. Iwasaki, a skilled striker himself, wasn’t backing down, responding with kicks and punches of his own.
It didn’t take long for things to heat up, with both fighters clinching up. Belgaroui landed a solid knee to Iwasaki’s midsection, followed by a couple of well-placed punches. The exchange was interrupted by an accidental poke to Iwasaki’s eye, a rare moment of pause in an otherwise non-stop fight. After the brief stoppage, Iwasaki came back strong, charging forward with a jumping kick to Belgaroui’s body, knocking him down.
But Belgaroui wasn’t fazed. He quickly got back up and, moments later, poked Iwasaki again in the eye during a clinch. This time, a hard warning was given by the referee. The exchanges intensified as the fighters got more aggressive, with Belgaroui landing powerful knees and punches. MMA Junkie scored the round 10-9 in favor of Belgaroui, though the momentum swung back and forth throughout the fight.
In Round 2, the tension escalated further. Belgaroui came out swinging, targeting Iwasaki’s body and maintaining forward pressure. Iwasaki, showing resilience, managed to circle away and blitz Belgaroui with strikes of his own. But the relentless pace Belgaroui kept forced Iwasaki to clinch up against the cage multiple times. Another eye poke from Belgaroui led to a point deduction, which would come into play later when the fight was scored.
With both fighters gunning for a finish, Round 3 kicked off with a fury. Iwasaki charged forward but was met with a stunning jumping switch knee from Belgaroui. This blow left Iwasaki staggering back, and Belgaroui seized the opportunity, storming forward with punches. The ref had seen enough and stepped in, stopping the fight at 2:34 of the third round. Belgaroui’s TKO victory was sealed, and it was a spectacular finish to an intense bout. This was the type of performance that might just catch Dana White’s eye for a UFC contract.
Result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaki via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 3, 2:34
Josias Musasa vs. Otar Tanzilovi: A Split Decision Thriller
Another gripping contest saw Josias Musasa square off against Otar Tanzilovi in a bantamweight bout. The fight began with both fighters trading blows right from the start, neither willing to give an inch. Tanzilovi initiated the clinch early, but Musasa broke free and delivered powerful left hands that rattled his opponent.
Tanzilovi responded with high kicks and attempted takedowns, but Musasa’s defense was solid. Both fighters exchanged strikes in the center of the octagon, with Musasa cracking Tanzilovi with a sharp right hand that seemed to turn the tide. The first round was scored 10-9 in favor of Musasa, who was the more active and effective striker.
Round 2 saw Tanzilovi come back stronger, managing to take Musasa down briefly, but he couldn’t hold him there. Musasa quickly popped back up, and the two exchanged more strikes, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Tanzilovi found success in the clinch, landing sharp punches and keeping Musasa on the defensive. MMA Junkie scored the round 10-9 for Tanzilovi, setting up a tense final round.
In Round 3, the momentum continued to shift as both fighters gave it their all. The clinch game became a focal point, with both men battling for control against the cage. Tanzilovi landed a quick 1-2 combination, but Musasa managed to take control by catching a kick and using it to secure a back position. Despite Tanzilovi powering back up and forcing the clinch, it was Musasa who maintained control late in the round. In the end, the judges were split, but Musasa’s resilience and determination earned him the narrow victory.
Result: Josias Musasa def. Otar Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Nicolle Caliari’s Submission Win Over Corinne LaFramboise
In the women’s flyweight division, Nicolle Caliari delivered a performance that showcased her grappling prowess as she took on Corinne LaFramboise. The fight started with LaFramboise coming out aggressively, firing off a flurry of punches. However, Caliari quickly closed the distance, securing a clinch and digging in some well-placed knees to LaFramboise’s body.
The action went to the ground when Caliari used a slick throw to take LaFramboise down. The two women battled for position, with LaFramboise attempting submissions from her back. After a series of exchanges, Caliari seized her moment, locking in an armbar from the bottom. LaFramboise struggled to free herself but was forced to submit with only 15 seconds remaining in the first round.
This submission victory for Caliari was a standout moment of the night, proving that she’s a serious contender in the flyweight division.
Result: Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne LaFramboise via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:45
Final Takeaways from DWCS 71
- Yousri Belgaroui’s TKO win will likely turn heads, and his dramatic finish in the third round was the kind of performance that could earn him a UFC contract.
- Josias Musasa’s split decision win showed grit, and his ability to battle through a close contest demonstrated his potential for the big stage.
- Nicolle Caliari showcased slick submission skills, making her victory over LaFramboise one to remember.
The stakes are always high at Dana White’s Contender Series, and week 5 was no exception. With UFC dreams on the line, each fighter brought their A-game, delivering exciting finishes and captivating moments for the fans and decision-makers alike. Keep an eye on these fighters – the future of the UFC could very well be among them.
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