Season 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series continues into its sixth week.
Now entering the second half of the season, August 30th welcomes a further five bouts to the UFC Apex, with some outstanding match-making.
Here is a tidbits snapshot for each of the Week 6 participants to whet the palate.
Yusaku Kinoshita (Japan) v José Henrique (Brazil)
Yusaku Kinoshita – 22-year-old Welterweight Yusaku Kinoshita holds a 5-1 professional record, with all five victories by way of first-round stoppage (3 KO/TKO, 2 submission); his only professional loss is a disqualification, for fence grabbing. Altogether, Kinoshita’s six professional opponents have a combined 161 professional bouts between them.
José Henrique – Holding a 5-0 professional record, undefeated José Henrique competes on Contender Series at 170lbs, rather than his usual 185lbs. “Canela” most recently competed at LFA 132, earning a split decision victory over 5-0-1 Pedro Oliveira; Henrique shared that card with fellow Contender Series 2022 participants Bruna Brasil and Richard Jacobi.
Sedriques Dumas (USA) v Matěj Peňáz (Czech Republic)
Sedriques Dumas – Unbeaten as a professional, 6-0 Middleweight Sedriques Dumas is having a stellar 2022; following his 59-second head kick knockout of DeWitt Dixon at iKON FC 1, “The Reaper” defeated 9-5 Aaron Highbaugh via unanimous decision at iKON FC 2.
Matěj Peňáz – When Matěj Peňáz made his professional debut in 2020, it took just 309 days to amass a 4-0 record, with all four wins via first round KO/TKO. A training partner of Jiří Procházka, undefeated “Money” boasts a 6-0 professional record entirely with Oktagon MMA.
Rodrigo Lídio (Brazil) v Mateusz Rębecki (Poland)
Rodrigo Lídio – A Future FC Lightweight Champion, Rodrigo Lídio holds a 12-2 professional record that includes ten KO/TKO wins. “The Dynamis” delivered a sensational, must-see left hook knockout of Arthur Lima at LFA 111. Combined record of his last four opponents? 50-16.
Mateusz Rębecki – After winning the vacant title in 2018, Mateusz Rębecki successfully defended the Fight Exclusive Night Lightweight Championship seven times. Currently riding a twelve fight win-streak, 14-1 Rębecki has won eight of his last nine bouts via KO/TKO.
Maria Silva (Brazil) v Viktoriya Dudakova (Russia)
Maria Silva – Fighting out of Fortaleza, Ceará, undefeated Strawweight Maria Silva holds an 8-0 professional record. Silva featured on Contender Series in 2021, defeating Kathryn Paprocki via unanimous decision; the Brazilian, however, fell short of a contract. Combined record of her last four opponents? 15-1.
Viktoriya Dudakova – 23-year-old Strawweight Viktoriya Dudakova holds a perfect 5-0 professional record, with all five victories via stoppage (4 submissions, 1 doctor stoppage). The combined record of her five opponents? 18-8. Maria Silva will be Dudakova’s first non-Russian professional opponent.
Blake Bilder (USA) v Alex Morgan (Canada)
Blake Bilder – Having begun his professional career at Lightweight, Blake Bilder fought his last five professional bouts at Featherweight. A Cage Fury FC Featherweight Champion, 6-0-1 Bilder won his last three bouts via stoppage (1 TKO, 2 submissions). Bilder’s undefeated professional record is against competition with a combined 28-22-1 record.
Alex Morgan – 11-4 Alex Morgan boasts a decorated professional record, winning Featherweight Championships with Samourai MMA, TKO, Hybrid Combat, and LAMMQ. “The Chess Master” notably holds two first-round TKO victories over Contender Series alumnus and former UFC athlete T.J. Laramie.
