Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) is back for another year of action. Week 5 has the customary five-pack of fights we’ve come to know and love. All of the action is available on ESPN+, but you keep your eyes peeled right here for all of the Contender Series results as they happen.
Shanelle Dyer vs Carol Foro
Round 1 – Dyer comes out with the low kicks with Foro looking to walk through them for big hooks. The ones up top aren’t landing for Foro so much, but she starts digging to the body and landing a few of those. That softens Dyer up and the head opens up. She cracks her with a few up top and it prompts a shot. The next big left drops her, and then she drops her again. Dyer is bleeding and wobbly with two minutes left on the clock and shes desperate to grab a leg that she just can’t find. Dyer starts to find some jabs and kicks late to keep some distance, but she’s still eating some brutal shots. She ends attempts another unsuccessful takedown attempt. Foro 10-8
Round 2 – Dyer looks more tentative in the second round after being cracked so much in the first. She’s much more focused on keeping the range and finding the jab. Still, Foro keeps getting into range and landing the bigger of the shots. The shots to the body again are working for Foro. Another big right drops Dyer yet again. Dyer gets up and shoots a takedown to try to recover. This one sees a bit more control, but she still isn’t able to finish it. Foro finishes the round moving forward again as Dyer backs up. Foro 10-9
Round 3 – Foro on the gas to start the third again with Dyer trying to get that jab to fend her off. Dyer does find some success with some kicks and then lands a nice three-punch combination. Not to be outdone, Foro lands a big right hook in response, then a body shot. That prompts another couple of failed takedown attempts from Dyer with half a round to go. Foro starting to look like her punches are slowing down and Dyer is looking for the highlight reel kick to steal the fight. Foro finds that second wind with a minute to go and doubles up the left hook. She lands to the body as Dyer tries to land the kick one last time. Foro 10-9
Official Result: Carol Foro def. Shanelle Dyer by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Chasen Blair vs Samuel Sanches
Round 1 – Sanches comes out with a lot of aggression and pops Blair with a straight. That forces Blair to shoot a takedown. After lifting twice and scrambling, Blair winds up briefly having him down and then jumping on his back. With just one hook in, Sanches methodically works out of there and then opens up with a big combination. An uppercut and a right hook both land flush and Blair is out like a light.
Official Result: Samuel Sanches def. Chasen Blair by KO (Punches) – Round 1 (2:01)
Felipe Franco vs Fredy Vidal
Round 1 – They feel each other out for a second and Franco immediately gets in on a single. He gets Vidal down, but Vidal is right back up. He hits a half dozen mat returns, but Vidal is relentless with his will to get back up. Eventually Franco switches to a double and slams Vidal hard in the center of the cage – landing in side control in the process. He drops some bombs from top position, but Vidal moves to his stomach and works back to his feet again. Franco goes for another takedown and Vidal just pancakes him with a counter. Vidal moves right to mount and lands some shots. He briefly has a crucifix and some other advantageous positions. He ends in top half and likely takes the round. Vidal 10-9
Round 2 – Franco comes out more willing to throw after having issues on the ground. He lands an early elbow against the cage. He lands a straight as well and is hanging on Vidal against the cage. As they separate, Vidal finds some success with a couple shots as well. However, he’s slowing and Franco is getting the better of the feet. Vidal looks up at the clock with 2 minutes to go and Franco finds a home for a body shot. Both men look like they don’t have much left, but the control and pace is being set by Franco. Franco scores a takedown in the final minute and makes it to north-south, where the round ends. Franco 10-9
Round 3 – Franco kicks off the round by yelling loudly. In an early exchange, a stumble from Vidal leads to a clinch on the cage. They trade positions with neither getting much of anything. Franco does land a couple elbows. Franco tries to separate, but Vidal is just hanging on him. Franco reverses the position and is looking for a takedown. He breifly has Vidal down, but Vidal is right back up. Franco readjusts and gets his own top half guard. Vidal switches the position and lands a couple shots, which gets Franco moving. He pulls Franco on top of him and takes the back. He puts in a rear naked choke and gets the tap with seconds left.
Official Result: Freddy Vidal def. Felipe Franco by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3 (4:48)
Cam Teague vs Lerryan Douglas
Round 1 – Douglas rips the legs as Teague tries to pressure. That pressure turns out not to be a good idea as Douglas lands a solid two-punch combo that drops Teague. Teague scrambles to try to survive, but eats another few shots including a left that turns off the lights.
Official Result: Lerryan Douglas def. Cam Teague by KO (Left hook) – Round 1 (0:36)
Anthony Guarascio vs Stephen Asplund
Round 1 – The big boys come out swinging. Asplund immediately tags him with a right and surprises Gaurascio. They throw wild and Asplund lands a tight left hook that floors Guarascio. Asplund falls right into mount and he lands a bunch of elbows to get the stoppage.
Official Result: Steven Asplund def. Anthony Guarascio by TKO (Punch and Elbows) – Round 1 (0:16)
DWCS Contract Winners:
- Carol Foro
- Shanelle Dyer
- Samuel Sanches
- Lerryan Douglas
- Stephen Asplund
And for more Dana White’s Contender Series coverage, check out all of the work here on Cageside Press. We have interviews with the fighters as well as analysis of those getting a second chance on Tuesday.
