After controlling the pace and threatening early against Timmy Cuamba, Sopaj capitalized in the second round with a knockdown followed by a slick submission, securing a statement win inside the distance.

Round 1 – Sopaj took the middle of the octagon with Cuamba working on the outside with his back real close to the fence. Sopaj landed a leg kick before Cuamba sent two his way.

Sopaj did well to lunge in and land a right hook on Cuamba. Sopaj cut the cage off pretty well not allowing Cuamba to travel very far before having to change directions. Cuamba tried to get some real estate back by rushing forward with strikes, but Sopaj made him pay with a stiff jab.

Sopaj rushed in and clinched Cuamba on the fence scoring the takedown and taking his back with the quickness and just under a minute left in the round. Cuamba tried to shake him off, but almost gave the neck up.

Sopaj worked with the arm on the chin and began to crank the neck. He squeezed hard looking to finish the fight, but Cuamba accepted the pain and survived to the second round.

Round 2 – Cuamba stayed in the middle and threw a kick that landed a low blow on Sopaj forcing the ref to call a timeout.

Time out didn’t last long and the two got back to fighting.

Cuamba worked to make his length and quickness to work for him landing a lighting quick body kick. Sopaj rushed in on a takedown, but the under hook was there for Cuamba and he defended it.

Sopaj worked two clean jabs and then a massive left hook that dropped Cuamba.

Sopaj went out of his mind with hammer fists looking to finish the fight. Cuamba tried to defend himself and get to the feet, but Sopaj forced him back to the ground before taking his back.

The arm got under the neck and Sopaj scored a submission victory.

Official Result: Benardo Sopaj def. Timmy Cuamba via R2 SUB (RNC), 2:25

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Cuamba, after losing his first two contests under the UFC banner, had picked up a victory over Roberto Romero by flying knee last time out.

Lee started the first round very aggressively, backing Cuamba up against the fence and shooting in for a well-timed takedown. Lee was able to transition to the back as Cuamba turned away, putting in a bodylock to stay in control. Cuamba carried Lee on his back for an excess of two minutes, eating punches to the side of his head. Lee would periodically threaten choke attempts but seemed content in the position. Lee would remain in back control while Cuamba was standing until the end of the round.

To start the second, Lee fired a left hook that landed clean before shooting in on another takedown attempt. Lee forced Cuamba to the fence, but Timothy was able to threaten a submission of his own locking in a D’arce before giving it up. Lee would continue to press forward as blood was now pouring out of Cuamba’s nose. Lee dove in on the legs moments after and secured a takedown along the fence. After a few moments Cuamba returned to his feet, trying to find a big shot to turn the tide in this fight. Lee pressed forward, running into a spinning elbow from Cuamba, who seemed to be getting his second wind. With a minute left in the round Cuamba landed a takedown of his own, transitioning to back control in the center of the cage. Lee would survive this dangerous position until the end of the round.

In the third Cuamba shot in for a takedown but was unsuccessful and pushed the fight up to the fence. Lee reversed his opponent in the clinch and tripped him to the ground landing a takedown. Threatening an armbar, Cuamba had to be very careful but ended up on top. Cuamba was able to get back control throwing damaging blows on top. Lee desperately tried to scramble to his feet, but the top pressure of Cuamba kept the fight down. Battering Lee until the end of the round in back control, Cuamba likely won this fight 2-1 after overcoming adversity in the first.

The judges scored this fight for Timothy Cuamba unanimously, earning his second victory in a row.

Official Result: Timothy Cuamba def. Chang Ho Lee by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Romero had made his promotional debut on short notice, taking on David Onama at UFC 309 last November. Cuamba had dropped his first two outings in the UFC, making his return on Saturday all the more crucial.

Early on in the opening frame on Saturday, it was Romero looking for a takedown, driving Cuamba into the fence to get it. That led to a bit of a stalled position, with the crowd quickly voicing their displeasure. Cuamba briefly got his back off the fence but was soon back on it, Romero showing a slight edge in the physicality department. They’d battle it out some more; a knee then landed low on Romero, leading to a break in the action. Back underway, Cuamba and Romero both let their hands go. Cuamba mixed in kicks, Romero had occasion to land a right hand or two, and the rest of the round played out on the feet.

Round two opened with a USA chant and saw some action on the feet play out early as fans got behind Timmy Cuamba. Romero however was able to find a home for his right hand, but in the back half of the round, he was bloodied and rocked! Already wobbly, Romero ate a kick up high, the head kick hurting him further. Then came a jump knee that was perfectly timed by Cuamba! Romero dropped like a sack of potatoes, and Timmy Cuamba had a highlight reel win to celebrate after a few more punches!

Official Result: Timmy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero by TKO (flying knee and punches), Round 2, 3:55

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Cuamba lost his UFC debut to fellow prospect Bokaji Oki, but at age 25 has a lot of room to grow. His opponent, Lucas Almeida, lost his last two fights to Andre Fili and Pat Sabatini coming into this one  but remained dangerous, having won every other fight of his career, except one, by finish. It turned out that this fight would be the first decision win of Almeida’s career, but it was no less impressive for that.

Almeida came forward to start the bout but Cuamba landed the first big punch, a clean counter right hand to Lucas’ stationary chin. However, Almeida came back a minute later with a perfect overhand right that dropped Timothy. It looked like Cuamba was done but he fought his way back to his feet and shot a takedown. He didn’t land it but clinched up to recover. Lucas broke free though and scored another knockdown, a flash knockdown this time. Cuamba clinched but was then forced to strike again. Almeida stalked his prey but his prey bit back. They exchanged in the pocket wildly, and it was Cuamba who loosened the mouthguard of Almeida. That backed Lucas off until the round ended.

The second round saw Cuamba begin to win back momentum early on the feet but then get rocked by a left hook and forced to panic-wrestle. The round after that was fairly even until Almeida hurt Tim again in the final minute, landing multiple clean punches to the head and a good hook to the body. Cuamba retreated to survive until the bell.

Cuamba shot a takedown and got his foe halfway down in the start of the final round, but Almeida refused to accept bottom position and got back up. Both men had success on the feet in the middle portion of the third round but Lucas Almeida was always on the front foot, until, that is, he got taken down with one minute left. From full guard Cuamba got aggressive and landed big ground and pound, relentlessly trying to finish the fight until the bell, showing impressive heart in the process.

When the scorecards were turned in, Lucas Almeida won unsurprisingly, based on the damage he did in the first two rounds, with the UFC commentators calling it a “career-best.”

In his post-fight speech Almeida (through a translator) gave credit to Cuamba’s toughness and explained how hard he worked for a finish, but is satisfied with “God’s plan.”

Official Result: Lucas Almeida def. Timothy Cuamba by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Visa issued kept Hadzovic out of the fight but left Cuamba with a limited window to prepare for his opponent, a fellow DWCS alum making his own debut.

When round one got underway Cuamba was on his bike moving laterally. Oki was staking Cuamba looking for his opening. Early on Cuamba was the only one throwing even if it wasn’t anything significant. Oki started to pick it up with the jab as the round progressed, and landed a nice right hand in an exchange. As the round went Oki was more loose and was sharp with his jab and defense. The jab was easily the biggest factor used in round one and the red face of Cuamba showed it.

In round two, Cuamba landed a good combo but it was Oki back with the jab. Oki started to find his jab with the one-two forcing Cuamba to go in on a single leg. He got in deep on the takedown but Oki had strong defense. He used his top pressure to get a better position on the mat. Cuamba eventually got Oki fully down and that’s where the round ended.

Heading into the last round it was likely evened up. Both guys were technically sound. Cuamba landed a right-cross and Oki fired back with the jab. Cuamba tried going back to the takedown but Oki got the space back. There were a lot of feints but not as much thrown from either guy. The best shot throughout the whole fight was the jab from Oki. Cuamba shot in for another takedown but it wasn’t close. Oki pressed hard to end the fight throwing more output staying busy to the end. That earned him the win, but it was a close one.

Official Result: Bolaji Oki def. Timothy Cuamba by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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Promotion officials recently announced the following modifications to the Fight Night card, which takes place Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas:

• Albert Duraev has been removed from his middleweight bout with Robert Bryczek. Replacing Duraev will be Ihor Potieria.
• Damir Hadzovic has been removed from his lightweight bout with Balaji Oki. Replacing Hadzovic will be Dana White’s Contender Series alum Timothy Cuamba.

In both cases, visa issues are reportedly to blame. One more line-up change was also revealed:

• Additionally, due to injury, Melsik Baghdasaryan has been removed from his featherweight bout with Hyder Amil. Replacing Baghdasaryan will be Fernie Garcia.

Potieria (20-5) is a 2022 Dana White’s Contender Series winner who is 1-3 in his four fights inside the octagon, and coming off back-to-back losses against Carlos Ulberg and Rodolfo Bellato. The Ukrainian’s lone win under the UFC banner came against the legendary Shogun Rua, but he finds himself in must-win territory this weekend.

Cuamba (8-1), a 2023 Contender Series alum, will be taking on Bokaji Oki, a fellow 2023 Contender Series winner with an identical 8-1 record.

As for Fernie Garcia, he is unquestionably fighting for his job after starting his UFC run at 0-3. Opponent Hyder Amil is an undefeated 8-0 coming into the fight.

UFC Vegas 86, headlined by middleweights Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer, now features the following reported match-ups:

• Jack Hermansson vs. Joe Pyfer
• Dan Ige vs. Andre Fili
• Robert Bryczek vs. Ihor Potieria
• Brad Tavares vs. Gregory Rodrigues
• Michael Johnson vs. Darrius Flowers
• Rodolfo Vieira vs. Armen Petrosyan
• Trevin Giles vs. Carlos Prates
• Timothy Cuamba vs. Bolaji Oki
• Loma Lookboonmee vs. Bruna Brasil
• Devin Clark vs. Marcin Prachnio
• Max Griffin vs. Jeremiah Wells
• Zac Pauga vs. Bogdan Guskov
• Fernie Garcia vs. Hyder Amil
• Daniel Marcos vs. Aori Qileng

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DWCS has always been open to giving second chances, and even thirds, but in this case, it’s a TUF cast member, and a would-be Ultimate Fighter cast member, who are getting another crack at the UFC. Heavyweight Chandler Cole appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 30, where things did not go his way — but he’s won a couple of fights since.

Mitch Ramirez was supposed to appear on The Ultimate Fighter 31, only to be yanked from the show to make room for one of Conor McGregor’s guys. The snub did not go over well with fight fans, who saw it as a particularly egregious form of nepotism, but Ramirez finally gets his shot on Tuesday.

The full card made weight on Monday, so here’s a took at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7 Episode 4!

Lightweight: Dylan Salvador vs. Bolaji Oki

Tale of the Tape

Pros and Cons

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Salvador
Speed: Salvador
Output/Volume: Salvador
Kickboxing: Salvador
Striking defense: Oki
Footwork/movement: Oki
Wrestling: Oki
Grappling: Salvador
Gas tank: Even

Prediction: Up to this week this is my favorite fight booked thus far for DWCS 2023. Salvador is more known to the larger audience and Oki should have more eyes on him than he has. On paper, you see Salvador has four submissions so you would think he’s a grappler. That is not the case.

Salvador competed in muay thai and kickboxing for years before transitioning into MMA. He’s 4-1 in MMA and 64-16-2 in kickboxing/muay thai. Salvador is a former two-weight WAKO World champion and fought five times for Glory. He won the Glory lightweight contender tournament in 2016. Salvador has a kickboxing win over UFC contender Giga Chikadze.

Oki is currently the best fighter out of Belgium. The UFC has only had two fighters from the county fight in the UFC and neither won a fight. If Oki was to get to the UFC he definitely would be the first one to get a win for his home country. Oki’s only loss came in his debut so he’s won his seven fights consecutively. He has a key win over Nair Melikyan who was supposed to fight on the Contender Series last season.

This is a fantastic fight between two serious strikers. Oki is more powerful and precise whereas Salvador is more volume-based and aggressive. It could come down to who can mix in a few takedowns but I like the takedown defense enough from both to believe this will come down to who has the better striking. I’m slightly leaning toward Salvador. Melikyan gave Oki some issues with his pressure so Salvador should have even more success. I’m picking Salvador because he’s more pressure-heavy in-your-face that I think can wear on Oki. Love the fight though and I believe we see both in the UFC regardless.

The post DWCS 2023: Episode 4 Breakdown and Predictions appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bantamweight, Gamzat Magomedov (6-1)

This was a huge win for Russia’s Magomedov, handing Mochamed Machaev his first career loss. In an exchange, Magomedov caught Machaev with a right hand flooring him. Machaev rolled and as he got back to the feet he was still throwing, which is when Magomedov caught him with a left hand. That dropped him and the follow-up shots put him out cold. All that happened in under a minute and moved the win streak to four for Magomedov.
Grade: A-

Welterweight, Benoit Saint-Denis (8-0)

Saint-Denis blazed through his opponent with an easy first-round stoppage. He got a quick double leg takedown to start the fight. It was not long before Saint-Denis got into the mount to land some good ground and pound. The second time he got into mount he locked in an arm-triangle and his opponent tapped. One-way traffic.
Grade: A

Featherweight, Inglesson de Lara (4-0)

This was a frantic fight between Lara and his opponent Alex Sombra. Lara asserted himself right away landing a good combination. He was taken down but it wasn’t long before he got back up. Lara dropped Sombra briefly with a left hand as he got back up. When they separated Lara started to let loose. He landed a nice left hook to the body, a good right hand-knee combination, and a right-left that dropped Sombra. The follow-up shots put Sombra out.
Grade: C

Middleweight, Brunno Ferreira (4-0)

Ferreira took his opponent down with an outside trip. When he got the takedown, Ferreira landed right into side control. He transitioned into the mount, took the back, and sunk in the RNC for the submission win. Ferreira remains undefeated and still holds his 100% finish rate.
Grade: B-

Featherweight, Damon Wilson (2-0)

In round one Wilson showed a diverse attack landing a lot of combinations from a lot of angels. He took a lot of good shots but landed a lot of volume. In round two in only 18 seconds Wilson blitzed forward and a power right landed. It dropped his opponent and the follow-up punches sent the ref in. I was impressed with the striking and output of Wilson.
Grade: C+

Lightweight, Zac Pauga (4-0)

Despite being dropped and mounted in round one Pauga looked good. He got the takedown in each round but it was his striking that set him apart. Pauga landed a lot with his lead left hook and right hand. He landed that right hand many times with the hook, overhand, and the uppercut. He was landing everything from his right hand to a knee and in the clinch landed a few good elbows. Pauga looked good.
Grade: B+

Featherweight, Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (14-3-1)

Uulu fought a tough opponent in Ruslan Yamanbaev, who fought behind in this fight for the most part. Yamanbaev was cruising on the outside throwing a lot of kicks going to the body and legs. He started to take over in round one before Uulu slipped a punch and countered with a right-left. That put Yamanbaev on skates and Uulu landed a lot of shots to the jaw. In round two it was still a competitive fight as both were throwing heat. A right hand from Uulu and a flurry sat Yamanbaev down. It was a weird ending but Uulu showed good composure and picked his shots.
Grade: C+

Flyweight, Mansur Malachiev (10-0)

Russia’s Malachiev fought another good prospect in Rashid Vagabov who won his last five fights prior to this one. Malachiev threw an overhand to grab a leg to chain to a double leg to get a takedown. He had his arm trapped in a modified omoplata but was able to spin out. In a scramble, he locked in a ninja choke for the dub.
Grade: A-

Featherweight, Abdurakhman Gitinovasov (8-1)

Opponent Viktor Mitkov fought pretty carelessly in this fight, shooting in blindly against a much better wrestler in Gitinovasov. Round one and two were easy for Gitinovasov as he just defended a takedown and dominated with top control. In round three Mitkov threw a sloppy spinning back fist and Gitinovasov took the fight down. Mitkov was able to get back to his feet but Gitinovasov used a trip to a double leg for a beautiful takedown. A dominant showing from Gitinovasov.
Grade: B-

Welterweight, Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (10-0)

Mukhtarov let his hands go in this fight throwing with volume while going to the body and head. He kept up the forward pressure lunging forward with two punches at a time. He landed at the same rate with both his hands while mixing in some kicks as well. His opponent changed levels for a takedown in round three. He left his neck exposed and Mukhtarov sunk in a ninja choke. It was in there good and it put the guy out cold face first. Just a nasty finish to the fight.
Grade: B

Welterweight, Shakhban Alkhasov (5-0)

This fight was nothing but domination for Alkhasov. With his long reach, he pawed with straight punches, head kicks, and even a wheel kick before he closed the distance. He used a strong body lock to get the takedown. When he landed in half-guard that’s where he finished it posturing up and putting his opponent out cold with the von flue choke.
Grade: A-

Bantamweight, Jean Matsumoto (9-0)

Matsumoto who is the SFT flyweight champion, moved up to bantamweight and won that title as well in August. His opponent Wanderley Junior was the champ and this fight was a back and forth scrap. Both men had a knockdown in round one. Matsumoto was dropped with a punch and he dropped Junior with a head kick. Both landed tons of volume with leg kicks, bodywork, and head strikes. Both scored takedowns and had submission attempts. Matsumoto just had more moments.
Grade: B+

Bantamweight, Francesco Patron Manzo (8-0)

Manzo looked outstanding here to keep his undefeated record. He marched his opponent down chopping the legs and throwing punches in bunches. He let go with his offense and was landing a lot of volume. At one point Manzo almost secured a kneebar finish. Manzo landed a left hook to the body to a right leg kick putting his opponent down. He jumped on the back and from there locked in an armbar for the tap. Excellent and beautiful transition to a submission.
Grade: A

Strawweight, Tania Torres (5-0)

LUX held an eight-women strawweight tournament and in the end, it was down to Torres and Saray Orozco. This fight was a war that came down to determination and heart. Torres was dropped with a head kick in round two but survived and bit down on her mouth guard and fought back. Torres, when she let her hands go, was ripping combinations to the body and head. She found the target frequently with her hands and threw a lot of knees as well. On the other side she took a lot of damage but just had more bright moments herself.
Grade: C+

Bantamweight, Ryan Kuse (4-0)

Kuse showed a good skillset overall in a second-round stoppage. On the feet he maintained distance very well landing at will with kicks and long punches. He got a takedown in round one and dominated in top position. He got a takedown in round two and that’s where he found the finish. Kuse went between the mount and the back multiple times before the ground and pound sent the ref in.
Grade: B

Featherweight, Tom Pagliarulo (2-0)

The 6’0″ Pagliarulo is a real problem and he showed that in this fight. He had good movement and was snipping on the outside with his punches and landed two glancing head kicks. Pagliarulo was landing at will and picking his shots. His opponent threw a blind leg kick and Pagliarulo caught it and countered with a straight right. The initial shot put the guy out cold and the ref stepped in. Brutal finish and perfectly set up.
Grade: A

Lightweight, Eddy George (4-0)

His opponent came out with some type of jumping wheel kick which missed by a mile. George responded with a combination to an easy takedown. He quickly got into mount and unloaded with ground and pound. George unloaded with elbows and even though his opponent was covering up he wasn’t moving. The ref eventually stepped in.
Grade: C+

Welterweight, Andreeas Binder (3-0)

Binder breezed past his opponent with a first-round stoppage. He opened up with a few hard outside leg kicks and looping hooks. He used a body lock to get the takedown into side control. Binder got into mount and went off with smashing ground and pound. Some punishing short elbows sent the ref in. Dominant showing and showed a bit of everything.
Grade: C

Flyweight, Andres Luna Martinetti (11-0)

In under 30-seconds Martinetti took the fight down. From there he put his opponent through a lot. While staying busy with ground and pound at a point he was in the mount. When he got on the back he even attempted a suloev stretch. When that didn’t work in a scramble he landed a ground shot that had his opponent cover up. Martinetti went after the finish and landed big punches until the ref came in.
Grade: B

Lightweight, Elvin Espinoza (6-0)

Espinoza made his PFL debut and fought his toughest test to date in Hopeton Stewart. Espinoza didn’t treat it as his toughest test as he had a spotless performance. He quickly took Stewart down. He got right into mount and had the back but Stewart escaped. Espinoza used a throw to get the fight down again and an adjustment got him in top position. Right back into mount and on the back, he sunk in an RNC and put Stewart to sleep.
Grade: A

Welterweight, Michael Lombardo (12-2)

Lombardo is someone that’s pretty conservative in his fights but he went after it in this one. He fought another Contender Series veteran in Kyron Bowen. It was a competitive fight but Lombardo was landing more impactful shots. He was doubling up on the jab and coming through with the right hand. Lombardo was landing a few leg kicks that were visibly bothering Bowen. He sat Bowen down with a hard leg kick and again a second time. As Bowen threw another kick to the leg as Bowen was down he grabbed his leg in agony and the ref stepped in.
Grade: B+

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