LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 53 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The seventh week of the sixth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. Light heavyweights took center stage in the feature bout as Rodolfo Bellato (8-2) faced Vitor Petrino (7-0), which also happened to produce the most violent finish of the evening. In the second round, Petrino landed the left hand to put Bellato out cold for one of only two finishes on this week’s card.
At the conclusion of the show, White issued contracts to Petrino, Karl Williams, and the winning brothers, Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim.
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streamed live on ESPN+. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 53 include:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Vitor Petrino def. Rodolfo Bellato via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 3:36
- Gabriel Bonfim def. Trey Waters via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 4:13
- Karl Williams def. Jimmy Lawson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Nariman Abbasov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Tereza Bleda def. Nayara Maia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Continue reading below for more details about each fight.
Dana White’s Contender Series 53 results: Bonfim brothers among four UFC contract earners
