UFC ‘Contender Series’ results: Live stream play-by-play updates – Season 7, Ep. 6

Dana White’s Contender Series enters the latter half of Season 7 tonight (Tues., Sept. 12, 2023), once again giving 10 would-be contenders the chance to earn a spot in the Octagon.

The action begins, as it will for the rest of the season, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+,

After a couple weeks of having standards, the Baldfather opened the floodgates again last week. All five victors walked away with contracts; Brendson Ribeiro, Serhiy Sidey, and Dione Barbossa punched their tickets with first-round finishes, while Jean Silva out-warred Kevin Vallejos and Dylan Budka won White over despite stinking out the joint against Chad Hanekom.

Tonight’s lineup is full of returning faces. The main event sees Malik Lewis (6-1), who fell to Trevor Peek almost exactly a year ago, try to even up his DWC record against Peruvian young gun James Llontop (13-2). The onslaught of former kickboxers continues in the co-feature with longtime Glory vet Jhonata Diniz (5-0), who welcomes Eduardo Neves back to the program after “BBZao’s” 2022 loss to Mick Parkin.

Fortis MMA’s Steven Nguyen (7-2) makes his third DWCS bid against AJ Cunningham (10-2), LFA champ Julia Polastri (11-3) returns after two years to fight Patricia Alujas (9-2), and undefeated Jean Matsumoto (13-0) battles Kasey Tanner (6-0) in the opener.

‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:

James Llontop vs. Malik LewisJhonata Diniz vs. Eduardo NevesSteven Nguyen vs. AJ CunninghamJulia Polastri vs. Patricia AlujasJean Matsumoto vs. Kasey Tanner

‘Contender Series’ Play-By-Play Results:

155 lbs.: James Llontop vs. Malik Lewis

Round one:

Round two:

Round three:

Final result:

265 lbs.: Jhonata Diniz vs. Eduardo Neves

Round one:

Round two:

Round three:

Final result:

145 lbs.: Steven Nguyen vs. AJ Cunningham

Round one:

Round two:

Round three:

Final result:

115 lbs.: Julia Polastri vs. Patricia Alujas

Round one:

Round two:

Round three:

Final result:

135 lbs.: Jean Matsumoto vs. Kasey Tanner

Round one: Tanner pushing forward early behind the jab. Matsumoto firing low kicks in return. Knee from Tanner when they tie up. Tanner backs him up with a combo, lands a knee downstairs. One minute in. Matsumoto switches stance, firing crisp combos and landing low kicks along the way. Counter combo from Turner capped by a leg kick. Matsumoto really piling up the leg kicks. Two minutes in. Body kick from Tamner amid the barrage of low kicks from Matsumoto. Tanner low kick, Matsumoto head kick and blitz. Tanner puts him on the fence with two minutes to go.

Short elbow from Tanner, knee from Matsumoto, more knees from Tanner. Matsumoto turns him, denies an outside trip, and exits with a knee. Back to the low kicks. One minute to go. Tanner tries a combo capped with a knee and head kick attempt. Matsumoto low kick to boxing combo. They tie up and Matsumoto takes him to the fence. Tanner reverses. 10-9 Matsumoto.

Round two:

Round three:

Final result:

For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.