Contender Series live play-by-play & results: Season 8, Week 5

We're at the halfway mark of Season 8 of Dana White's Contender Series and we're got a banger of a fight card for week 5. Headlining the card is a light-heavyweight scrap between Navajo Stirling and Phillip Latu.

Stirling is coming into the fight undefeated with four wins to his name. The New Zealand native is coming off a thrid round TKO win over Sam Kei at HEX Fight Series 31 in June. His opponent, Latu has seven pro fights to his name, winning six. The Denver, CO area fighter is coming off a four fight win streak including a recent win over Dylan Potter at CFFC.

FanSided MMA is on-site for the entire show and will bring you all the live result, play-by-play and more right here. Refresh often as we'll be updating throughout the night.

Navajo Stirling vs. Phillip Latu

The first round opens with Stirling landing teeps and kicks to keep Latu at bay. Latu grabs the leg of Stirling but isn't able to capitalize on it. They trade shots at the center of the Octagon and Stirling ducked into an uppercut from Latu, the biggest strike of the round so far. Stirling stumbles and Latu gets agressive, landing a flurry of strikes and kicks. Stirling tried for a takedown but Latu defended beautifully. They go to the scond round.

Round 2 begins with Stirling landed leg kicks and Latu ansering back with missed strikes. In this round as he's having trouble with the distance. They clinch and Stiriling lands a bomb and dropped Latu out cold.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Navajo Stirling defeated Phillip Latu via TKO, Round 2 - 2:21

Quemuel Ottoni vs. Kody Steele

According to the broadcast, Quemuel Ottoni pulled out of the fight with Kody Steele, changed his mind, re-wrapped his hands and then changed his mind again. The fight is off. Dana White says Steele will get his show and win money and be added to a future DWCS card.

Yousri Belgaroui vs. Taiga Iwasaki

The round starts slowly, both fighters are measuring the other. They each land some good opening shows but Belgaroui is putting together some combinations and Iwasaki is eating everything. Iwasaki puts Belgaroui agains the fence but isn't able to hold him there long before Belgaroui breaks away and goes back to the center of the cage. An eye poke to Iwasaki breaks the action briefly. When the action resumes, Iwasaki land a hard punch and drops Belgaroui briefly but another eye poke to Iwasaki pauses the action. When the action resumes again it's Iwasaki who heats up landing combos stunning Belgaroui and has him on the run. With just seconds remaining they trade shots in the center of the cage before the bell.

Round 2 starts off with a bang. Belgaroui looks to be making up for the end of the first round that trades early with Iwasaki before he puts him against the fence. The otput on this fight is high but no one has come that close to finishing the fight. Iwasaki tries to take Belgaroui to the canvas to tend the round but Belgaroui defends but he pokes Iwasaki in the eye again to end the round. The third eye poke does finally get a point deduction for Belgaroui though.

The third round sees them exchanging early. The tird round is much like the first with a brawl ensuing. The referee finally saw enough after Belgaroui dropped Iwasaki with a knee and a flurry of punches for a TKO victory in the third.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Yousri Belgaroui defeated Taiga Iwasaki via TKO, Round 3 - 2:34

Otar Tanzilov vs. Josias Musasa

Tanzilov takes control first and lands a huge head kick to Musasa. He pins Musasa against the fence and lands knees and strikes while trying to take him to the canvas. They separate and Tanzilov lands another head kick but Musasa fires back and wobbles Tanzilov with a punch. They trade in the center of the Octagon. A low blow from Musasa halts the first round with just over a minute to fight. Tanzilov lands another huge kick but Musasa isn't showing any signs of wear yet. They go into the second round.

Tanzilov opens the round with big leg kicks again but these don't land like they did in round one. They trade a bit more before Tanzilov takes Musasa back to the canvas. Musasa gets back his feet but sits in the clinch before finally breaking free and heading back to the center of the canvas. Musasa begins unloading on Tanzilov out of nowhere and forces Tanzilov to get back into the clinch to stop the onslaught. Tanzilov separates and looks exhausted, now it's Musasa that puts him agains the cage to end the round.

Round 3 starts with a kick from Tanzilov just like the previous two. They trade shots before Tanzilov takes Musasa briefly to the canvas. They get back to their feet quickly where Tanzilov stuffs Musasa against the fence and the fight is stopped again, this time it's Musasa suffering the low blow. The clinch and break, clinch and break for much of the remainin moments of the round. This doesn't seem like a contract winning performance but perhaps Dana White will be in a good mood and grant one anyway. They go to the scorecards.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Josias Musasa defeated Otar Tanzilov via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29 )

Corinne Laframboise vs. Nicolle Caliari

They clinch immediately ro start the fight. Caliari took Laframboise to the canvas briefly before letting her up and continuing the fight on their feet. Caliari lands a beautiful judo toss and slams Laframboise to the canvas again but Laframboise gets Caliari is a submission hold and then reverses and takes control of Caliari's back. Caliari works up to her feet but Laframboise still has the clinch and this time Laframboise takes Caliari to the canvas. Caliari get's ahold of the arm of Laframboise and gets the tap with just seconds remaining in the round.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Nicolle Caliari defeated Corinne Laframboise via verbal submission (armbar), Round 1 -4:45