Dana White's Contender Series 71: Grading the winners

Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.

Nicolle Caliari

Weight class: Strawweight
Result: Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne LaFrambiose via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:45
Grade: A

Summary: Setting the tone for the night was a fun one-round scrap between Nicolle Caliari and Corinne LaFrambiose.

Despite coming from a traditional martial arts base, Caliari proved that she could compete with the superior submission grappler in her world.

LaFrambriose, as advertised, showed a lot of her submission swagger in exchanges, utilizing her aggressive attacks to create scrambles and so on. That said, LaFrambriose’s aggression ultimately ended up costing her by allowing Caliari to get too deep on an armbar attempt.

We didn’t get to see too much of Caliari on the feet, but her karate-style combos were reminiscent of a more raw version of Tecia Pennington (which isn’t a bad thing as a fan of that style).

I’m not surprised to see Dana White sign Caliari given the traditional recruitment trends of the show. For my money, I expect to see the UFC brass match up Caliari with someone like Ernesta Kareckaite or Brogan Walker on an upcoming international card.

Josias Musasa

Weight class: Bantamweight
Result: Josias Musasa def. Otar Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Grade: B

Summary: Although it was an ultra-competitive fight between Josias Musasa and Otar Tanzilovi, I agree with Musasa getting both the win and the UFC contract.

Tanzilovi, who is also arguably UFC-ready, displayed a slew of well-rounded skills that are practically prerequisites at bantamweight. Still, it was also clear that the Georgian is much more effective when allowed space to work with.

Seemingly knowing this, Musasa applied the correct gameplan and approach regarding the constant pressure he was putting Tanzilovi under. And though Musasa has seldom been past the first frame in prior fights, the Congolese competitor showed a level of measuredness in the aggression he was applying, smartly mixing bodywork into the equation.

Even when taken down, Musasa demonstrated a serviceable understanding of counter wrestling, correctly using tools that ranged from underhooks to the assistance of the cage. I’m on the same page as Dana White when it comes to seeing something in Musasa, so I’m happy to see the native of the Congo get a shot in the octagon.

I suspect that we’ll see Musasa paired up with someone like Quang Li or Angel Pacheco for his first UFC assignment.

Yousri Belgaroui

Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaka via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 3, 2:34
Grade: C+

Summary: Despite being able to get the finish, I had a hard time getting to a B for Yousri Belgaroui given both the lackluster fight with Taiga Isakawa and the context surrounding it.

In what looked like your classic Pride Fighting Championships setup fight, Isakawa was an undersized Japanese middleweight taking this fight on short notice. And though the oddsmakers and public projected a more decisive and clean performance from Belgaroui as a huge favorite, the former Glory kickboxer quickly found himself in a sloppy foul fest opposite a deceptively durable foe.

I eventually lost track of the number of eye pokes, but thankfully, referee Kerry Hatley mercifully took a point after the third or fourth infraction (something you sadly seldom see MMA refs do these days).

Although I was somewhat surprised White declined to sign Beglaroui on his second swing at bat, I can’t blame him for coming away deflated from a fight that was ultimately a gift in disguise.

Should Beglaroui still have the taste for this sort of audition process, then I’d love to see him get a third shot at a contract opposite another Contender Series veteran who is in the same position: Torrez Finney.

Navajo Stirling

Weight class: Light heavyweight
Result: Navajo Stirling def. Phillip Latu via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:21
Grade: A

Summary: Earning an A for closing the show in style is Navajo Stirling, who emphatically finished Phillip Latu in Round 2.

Latu, who has a natural aptitude for fighting, came out fairly strong and landed some solid counters that got the respect and attention of Stirling. However, Stirling was able to keep calm and composed while steadily finding his flow in the fight.

By the second frame, Stirling started to show the classic City Kickboxing striking setups and shot selections – all while Latu was appearing to fade. Latu’s corner called for him to stay in position to fire back, but it led to a hooking trade that benefited the more grounded fighter in Stirling.

I really felt for Latu, given his background, and I hope he gets another shot on the Contender Series down the road.

As for Stirling, it’s probably a safe bet we’ll see him on the next card that features either Dan Hooker or Carlos Ulberg, given how that camp seems to book their action. I just hope they try not to rush Stirling and match him up with someone like Tuco Tokkos.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 71.