Dana White’s Contender Collection 71: Grading the winners

Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Collection (2024) befell on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a easy however digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this sequence has proven to have legs in a number of methods whereas serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future occasions. With that pattern in thoughts, I as soon as once more might be looking on the successful fighters, no matter whether or not or not they received a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their likelihood of returning to a UFC stage.

Nicolle Caliari

Weight class: Strawweight
End result: Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne LaFrambiose through submission (armbar) – Spherical 1, 4:45
Grade: A

Abstract: Setting the tone for the night time was a enjoyable one-round scrap between Nicolle Caliari and Corinne LaFrambiose.

Regardless of coming from a standard martial arts base, Caliari proved that she might compete with the superior submission grappler in her world.

LaFrambriose, as marketed, confirmed a whole lot of her submission swagger in exchanges, using her aggressive assaults to create scrambles and so forth. That stated, LaFrambriose’s aggression in the end ended up costing her by permitting Caliari to get too deep on an armbar try.

We didn’t get to see an excessive amount of of Caliari on the ft, however her karate-style combos had been paying homage to a extra uncooked model of Tecia Pennington (which isn’t a foul factor as a fan of that model).

I’m not stunned to see Dana White signal Caliari given the standard recruitment tendencies of the present. For my cash, I anticipate to see the UFC brass match up Caliari with somebody like Ernesta Kareckaite or Brogan Walker on an upcoming worldwide card.

Josias Musasa

Weight class: Bantamweight
End result: Josias Musasa def. Otar Tanzilovi through cut up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Grade: B

Abstract: Though it was an ultra-competitive struggle between Josias Musasa and Otar Tanzilovi, I agree with Musasa getting each the win and the UFC contract.

Tanzilovi, who can also be arguably UFC-ready, displayed a slew of well-rounded abilities which might be virtually stipulations at bantamweight. Nonetheless, it was additionally clear that the Georgian is way more efficient when allowed area to work with.

Seemingly realizing this, Musasa utilized the right gameplan and strategy relating to the fixed strain he was placing Tanzilovi beneath. And although Musasa has seldom been previous the primary body in prior fights, the Congolese competitor confirmed a stage of measuredness within the aggression he was making use of, neatly mixing bodywork into the equation.

Even when taken down, Musasa demonstrated a serviceable understanding of counter wrestling, appropriately utilizing instruments that ranged from underhooks to the help of the cage. I’m on the identical web page as Dana White in relation to seeing one thing in Musasa, so I’m completely happy to see the native of the Congo get a shot within the octagon.

I think that we’ll see Musasa paired up with somebody like Quang Li or Angel Pacheco for his first UFC project.

Yousri Belgaroui

Weight class: Middleweight
End result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaka through TKO (knee and punches) – Spherical 3, 2:34
Grade: C+

Abstract: Regardless of with the ability to get the end, I had a tough time attending to a B for Yousri Belgaroui given each the lackluster struggle with Taiga Isakawa and the context surrounding it.

In what seemed like your basic Satisfaction Combating Championships setup struggle, Isakawa was an undersized Japanese middleweight taking this struggle on brief discover. And although the oddsmakers and public projected a extra decisive and clear efficiency from Belgaroui as an enormous favourite, the previous Glory kickboxer shortly discovered himself in a sloppy foul fest reverse a deceptively sturdy foe.

I finally misplaced monitor of the variety of eye pokes, however fortunately, referee Kerry Hatley mercifully took some extent after the third or fourth infraction (one thing you sadly seldom see MMA refs do lately).

Though I used to be considerably stunned White declined to signal Beglaroui on his second swing at bat, I can’t blame him for coming away deflated from a struggle that was in the end a present in disguise.

Ought to Beglaroui nonetheless have the style for this kind of audition course of, then I’d like to see him get a 3rd shot at a contract reverse one other Contender Collection veteran who’s in the identical place: Torrez Finney.

Navajo Stirling

Weight class: Gentle heavyweight
End result: Navajo Stirling def. Phillip Latu through knockout (punch) – Spherical 2, 2:21
Grade: A

Abstract: Incomes an A for closing the present in model is Navajo Stirling, who emphatically completed Phillip Latu in Spherical 2.

Latu, who has a pure aptitude for combating, got here out pretty sturdy and landed some strong counters that bought the respect and a focus of Stirling. Nonetheless, Stirling was in a position to preserve calm and composed whereas steadily discovering his move within the struggle.

By the second body, Stirling began to point out the basic Metropolis Kickboxing putting setups and shot picks – all whereas Latu was showing to fade. Latu’s nook referred to as for him to remain in place to fireplace again, nevertheless it led to a hooking commerce that benefited the extra grounded fighter in Stirling.

I actually felt for Latu, given his background, and I hope he will get one other shot on the Contender Collection down the street.

As for Stirling, it’s most likely a secure wager we’ll see him on the subsequent card that options both Dan Hooker or Carlos Ulberg, given how that camp appears to e book their motion. I simply hope they fight to not rush Stirling and match him up with somebody like Tuco Tokkos.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for Dana White’s Contender Collection 71.