DWCS Week 1 live results: Lucas Fernando vs. Cesar Almeida highlights
Dana White's Contender Series is back for season 7, looking to find the next superstars for the UFC.
Week 1 kicks off with a middleweight matchup between LFA middleweight champion Lucas Fernando and decorated kickboxer Cesar Almeida. Fernando is riding a four-fight win streak while Almeida is undefeated in his young career at 3-0, but hasn't fought in MMA since 2021.
The rest of the card is rounded out by a lightweight matchup between Australia's Tom Nolan, who is undefeated, against Austria's Bogdan Grad, who is on a five-fight win streak. Caio Machado, who is local promotion Battlefield Fight League's heavyweight champion, faces Poland's Kevin Szaflarksi, who hasn't lost since his pro debut in 2015.
Payton Talbott, who most recently won Urijah Faber's A1 Combat promotion's bantamweight title and is 5-0 with five finishes, faces Reyes Cortez, who is the younger brother of UFC flyweight Tracy Cortez and is looking for his third straight. The card starts off with a matchup between local promotion Inka Fighting Championship's flyweight champion Kevin Borjas, who is 8-1 with eight finishes, and Victor Dias, who is riding a five-fight win streak.
DWCS Week 1 live results [UPDATED]
DWCS Week 1 card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)
Lucas Fernando vs. Cesar Almeida
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Cesar Almeida defeated Lucas Fernando via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
Tom Nolan vs. Bogdan Grad
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Tom Nolan defeated Bogdan Grad via KO, Round 1 - 1:23
Just like THAT the first KO of #DWCS S7 belongs to Tom Nolan!! đź‘Š pic.twitter.com/J9O5WNmImJ
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2023
Caio Machado vs. Kevin Szaflarski
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Caio Machado defeated Kevin Szaflarski via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
The heavyweights are headed to the judges! Scorecards are up next #DWCS pic.twitter.com/2Quzvbdwlj
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2023
Payton Talbott vs. Reyes Cortez, Jr.
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Payton Talbott defeated Reyes Cortez Jr. via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Dominant performance by Payton Talbott đź‘Š
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2023
He takes home the UD victory! #DWCS
[ Tune in LIVE right now on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/lmzlsJaDYX
Kevin Borjas vs. Victor Dias
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Kevin Borjas defeated Victor Dias via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
The first fight of #DWCS S7 had the boss on his feet!
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2023
We're headed to the scorecards for the first time tonight đź“ť pic.twitter.com/9ARNGb2guH
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