Redemption: Second Chances on Dana White’s Contender Series — JP Buys, Jacob Silva, Sherrard Blackledge and Tucker Lutz

Sherrard Blackledge DWCS
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 08: Sherrard Blackledge has his hands wrapped prior to his fight during week six of Dana White’s Contender Series season four at UFC APEX on September 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC)

Sherrard “The Thriller” Blackledge (5-0 MMA)

Age: 27 years old

Height: 5’11”

Weight Class: Lightweight (155lbs)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2020 (Week 6)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Cameron Church (4-1 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight:  2020 (Week 10)

New Opponent: Tucker Lutz (10-1 MMA)

First DWCS Fight

Sherrard Blackledge is another one of the fighters that UFC President Dana White was really impressed with during the 2020 season of the Contender Series.

Great sense of timing for takedowns to catch his opponent while his hips are going forward while throwing a strike.While on the ground, Blackledge has good top control and can inflict damage while painting a dominant position.

Good defense and head movement from Blackledge and though he uses his reach well, his clinch fighting and fighting in the pocket are impeccable as far as his ability to land good shots in rapid succession. Blackledge displayed great cardio and his knees are something to watch out for.

Dana White didn’t see enough in this fight to give Sherrard a UFC contract, but he saw enough talent to immediately invite him back. This was another one of the best fights off of the DWCS 2020 season.

Contender Series Opponent

Sherrard’s Contender Series opponent, Cameron Church did not get a UFC contract as a result of losing the bout. Church entered the bout on DWCS with just four wins, including only one win over an opponent with a winning record and he has only been fighting professionally for a little over a year. With time, Church could potentially be a fighter that we see again on the Contender Series, but he is going to need some more fights.

The Road Back

Because Blackledge was one of the fighters invited back from DWCS in 2020, he has just been resting up and training since his fight a little over three months ago.

Gameplan/ New Opponent 

For Sherrard Blackledge’s second chance on the Contender Series he will face another man receiving his second chance on the show as well in Tucker Lutz.

Blackledge’s takedowns and his wrestling control really made the difference in his first DWCS appearance. Sherrard’s striking is very clean but his clinch fighting and knees is definitely his strongest area.

Blackledge should look to outstrike Lutz in his second appearance on DWCS but if that doesn’t work, be on the lookout for him to make it an ugly fight with a lot of clinch and close-quarters fighting as well lots of wrestling exchanges.