DWCS 66 winner Ramon Taveras excited for opportunity at redemption vs. Serhiy Sidey at UFC 297

LAS VEGAS – Ramon Taveras will get to run things back with Serhiy Sidey after earning a contract at Dana White’s Contender Series 66.

In his second DWCS stint this season, Taveras (9-2) needed just 29 seconds to knock out Cortavious Romious (7-2) Tuesday to earn a UFC contract.

In his first opportunity, Taveras was knocked out by Sidey at DWCS 61 – in a stoppage UFC CEO Dana White called “one of the worst ref stoppages” he’s ever seen. Now, Taveras will get a chance to right that wrong when he rematches Sidey (10-1) at UFC 297 on Jan. 20.

“The redemption is going to be great,” Taveras told MMA Junkie and other reporters during the DWCS 66 post-fight press conference. “I get to finish this guy in his own town of Canada, and I get to travel out of the country for free.

“What is it, a pay-per-view? Oh yeah, I’m definitely excited now. I didn’t know that, but yeah, I’m excited to go out there to Canada, I’m excited to put on a show for everybody. Just like the first fight, it was going my way until it wasn’t. I know I’ll finish this guy.”

Taveras has knocked out his past three opponents. He issued a warning to Sidey and the rest of the UFC’s bantamweight division that they should think twice before standing with him.

“The statement I wanted to make and I did make today was to put people on notice,” Taveras said. “And don’t be trying to stand with me, don’t be trying to bang with me, Serhiy better put on his wrestling shoes come Jan. 20.”