Topic: Contender Series 2023
Contender Series 2023: Week 1
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- Tuesday 08.08.2023 at 07:00 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, Paul Felder
- Ring Announcer: Justin Bernard
- Post-Fight Interviews: Laura Sanko
- MMA Bouts: 5
-
Event Links:
| Bout | Info | |
|---|---|---|
| César Almeida defeats Lucas Fernando via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Tom Nolan defeats Bogdan Grad via KO/TKO, Left Hook and Ground Punch | 1:23 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Caio Machado defeats Kevin Szaflarski via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Payton Talbott defeats Reyes Cortez via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Kevin Borjas defeats Victor Dias via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page |
Responses Page 6
08.08.2023 | 3:04 PM ET
Moth
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 115 Points | Tied for 411th
08.08.2023 | 3:06 PM ET
mothswords
Predictions: 1 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 50 Points | Tied for 844th
the tricky part is that talbott's way of getting up isn't really technical, it's just him being waaay more athletic than every guy he fights so the question is when does his lack of grappling technique eventually fail him? i do not think this is the fight
08.08.2023 | 3:11 PM ET
Whereas Diaz has good wins over good regional guys.
* Edited at 08.08.2023, 3:13 PM ET *
08.08.2023 | 3:14 PM ET
Predictions: 3 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 165 Points | Tied for 160th
I quite like talbott, he reminds me a lot of Suga sean early in his career. Super flashy striker but needs some work in striking defense and wrestling. He has that “it” factor to me; there’s something about him that comes across as different, probably the way he acts and carries himself
* Edited at 08.08.2023, 3:17 PM ET *
"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"
08.08.2023 | 4:14 PM ET
Predictions: 1 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 65 Points | Tied for 824th
* Edited at 08.08.2023, 4:15 PM ET *
08.08.2023 | 4:37 PM ET
Predictions: 3 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 165 Points | Tied for 160th
I get people don’t like me but I thought I was being pretty fair there
"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"
08.08.2023 | 5:27 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 3 of 5 Winners, 1 Perfect, 190 Points | Tied for 109th
César Almeida, TKO, R1
Cesar Almeida +235 .5 units
Machado vs. Szaflarski
Kevin Szaflarski, DEC
Machado/Szaflarski over 1.5 rounds -145 1.5 units Kevin Szaflarski -130 1.5 units
"Complicated Human in Search of Simplicity"
08.08.2023 | 5:42 PM ET
I think people are taking Reyes on account of seeing he already has a Contender Series fight and his sister is Tracy Cortez, and those people are probably downvoting you lol. Reyes has a puncher’s chance imo because Payton does leave himself open to getting hit a little bit, but I just don’t think Reyes has the power to punish it. If he tries grappling he’s gonna gas himself and get finished.
I just went in for a little more on Payton, def my favorite play on the card
* Edited at 08.08.2023, 5:43 PM ET *
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- paulopasta
08.08.2023 | 5:58 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 100 Points | Tied for 514th
Lucas Fernando, TKO, R2
This is a great fight but I don’t think it will be super competitive. Fernando is just so good and much younger. He can beat Almeida anywhere. Almeida is an elite kickboxer but not everyone is Alex Pereira. I think Fernando gets a finish in under 2 rounds
Nolan vs. Grad
Tom Nolan, DEC
Tight fight here. Bogdan is more experienced and on paper better but I’m gonna go with Nolan here. He’s a big 155er with great cardio and volume. I think his size will play a factor here over the very short Bogdan. But it’s a very close fight
Machado vs. Szaflarski
Kevin Szaflarski, TKO, R2
This one is a bum fight for me. Kind of a coin flip
Talbott vs. Cortez
Payton Talbott, TKO, R3
Talbott is looking like a bright prospect. He can get wrestled early but gets better as the fight goes on. I think he’s gonna light up Cortez who was a punching bag for CeeRod. I think Talbott has that kind of skill
Borjas vs. Dias
Victor Dias, SUB, R1
Mismatch. Dias is the much better fighter with better competition and overall skill set
08.08.2023 | 6:15 PM ET
Woebegone New Predictions
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 1 Perfect, 125 Points | Tied for 342nd
I embrace Kevin Szaflarski at -130. He has a villainous hammerfist. Szaflarski isn't about to capture the humiliating defeat. Guaranteed!
Almeida vs. Fernando
I am all over Lucas Fernando at -270. He has a radical training style. Fernando will likely bury the achievement.
Borjas vs. Dias
I love Victor Dias at -410. He has a wondrous Samoan driver and a quick armpit slam. Dias will flaunt the cage. Beep boop!
Nolan vs. Grad
I embrace Tom Nolan at -145. He has a weak hiza guruma. Nolan is gonna choke the masterpiece.
Talbott vs. Cortez
I take Payton Talbott at -155. He has a sophisticated harai goshi and a final dim mak and also a leaden knife hand block. Talbott is gonna deny the previous pitfalls.
"This is the droid you're looking for."
08.08.2023 | 6:30 PM ET
Predictions: 3 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 165 Points | Tied for 160th
@meluka right? There’s just something about him. I love how he just flows out there with his striking. I don’t think cortez will be able to deal with the insane pressure of talbott for three rounds
"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"
08.08.2023 | 6:46 PM ET
Predictions: 4 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 200 Points | Tied for 61st
"https://mmawise.substack.com/"
08.08.2023 | 6:49 PM ET
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 1 Perfect, 150 Points | Tied for 260th
"POUND FOR POUND, HEADSHOT, DEAD - Leon Edwards "
08.08.2023 | 7:01 PM ET
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 1 Perfect, 150 Points | Tied for 260th
"POUND FOR POUND, HEADSHOT, DEAD - Leon Edwards "
08.08.2023 | 7:06 PM ET
Predictions: 3 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 165 Points | Tied for 160th
"“Unfortunately you can’t talk like that on FOX” - Joe Rogan"
08.08.2023 | 7:07 PM ET
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 1 Perfect, 150 Points | Tied for 260th
"POUND FOR POUND, HEADSHOT, DEAD - Leon Edwards "
08.08.2023 | 7:07 PM ET
Predictions: 2 of 5 Winners, 0 Perfect, 100 Points | Tied for 514th
"I'll make my own damn quote." -Me