Week five of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7 had a little switch-up in advance of the event, with Corinne Laframboise learning she was three months pregnant just days out from the card. That might be one of the wilder hiccups in DWCS history, and congrats to Laframboise.
In her place this week steps Dione Barbosa, but there’s a good chance Lamframboise will get a crack at the UFC in future — though for obvious reasons, she’ll be taking some time off. Also featured this week, Laframboise’s fellow Canadian Serhiy Sidey, and Dylan Budka, who is no stranger to those following the regional circuit. Budka, like Barbosa, is taking this one on short notice.
We’ve got our predictions in! Read out for our preview of DWCS 2023 Episode 5!
Light heavyweight: Bruno Lopes Vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Tale of the Tape
30-years-old
6’2″
Cotia, Sao Paulo, Brazil
China Team
11-0
5 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 56-35-1
26-years-old
6’3″
Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Evolução Thai MMA
14-5, 1 NC
8 KO/TKOs, 6 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 69-39
Pros and Cons
Bruno Lopes
Pros
- Heavy hands
- Accurate
- Good jiu-jitsu
- Submission threat
- Excellent bodywork
- Physically strong
- Throws in combinations
- Hits hard
- Starts fast
- Good ground and pound
- Strong jab
- Heavy leg kicks
Cons
- N/A
Brendson Ribeiro
Pros
- Submission threat
- Good leg kicks
- Wrestles well
- Good ground and pound
Cons
- Weak top position
- Poor TDD
- Weak chin
- Poor fight IQ
Prediction: There was no point in bother with who has the advantages because simply put, Lopes is better in every aspect. This is a fight made for Lopes to be able to show out and get a huge knockout.
If Lopes wanted to he could just take this fight down and submit Ribeiro. I’ve seen Ribeiro fall to lesser punches than Lopes is going to sling at him. With the level of striking and power Lopes has he probably ends this in under two minutes.
