The penultimate episode of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3 arrives with a number of intriguing fights, including a second shot for Leon Shahbazyan.
If there was a theme heading into week nine of this season of Dana White’s Contender Series, it was second chances. That might seem odd for a show centered around prospects, but one half of the main event Tuesday was Leon Shahbazyan, who was pulled from a fight earlier this season at the 11th hour.
Shahbazyan was getting a second shot, this time against Philip Rowe, as original opponent Brok Weaver had already been rebooked — and had managed to win a UFC deal. Older brother of UFC fighter Edmen Shahbazyan, Leon was under the microscope Tuesday.
The second chance theme might also apply to Steve Garcia, a former Bellator fighter who missed weight for his bantamweight bout against Desmond Torres. While UFC President Dana White has said in the past that fighters who miss weight could still win contracts, it makes doing so that much harder.
And then there was Ricky Steele, who had appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 27, and was back looking for a way into the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Check below come fight time for full results from week 9, a.k.a. DWCS 25!
Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3, Week 9 Results:
Welterweight: Leon Shahbazyan (@leon_shahbazyan) vs. Philip Rowe (@phillyfreshmma)
Phil Rowe (@phillyfreshmma) def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO at :16 of Round Three
Light Heavyweight: Marcos Brigagao vs. Jamal Pogues (@mmas_finest)
Jamal Pogues def. Marcos Brigagao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at the end of Round Three
Bantamweight: Desmond Torres (@dezzymma) vs. Steve Garcia (@meanmachine505)
Steve Garcia (@meanmachine505) def. Desmond Torres via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:35 of Round One
Women’s Strawweight: Micol di Segni (@micoldisegnimma) vs. Mallory Martin (@malloryymartin)
Mallory Martin def. Micol De Segni via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at the end of Round Three
Bantamweight: Ricky Steele (@rickysteelemma) vs. Phil Caracappa (@phillycaramma)
Ricky Steele (@rickysteelemma) def. Phil Caracappa via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at the end of Round Three
Contract Winners:
Phil Rowe
