September 27, 2022 7:00 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 56 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The tenth and final week of the sixth season will see 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout, highly-touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal (2-0) returns for his second appearance this season to take on Donovan Beard (7-1).
The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 56 include:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
Bo Nickal vs. Donovan Beard
Vinicius Cenci vs. Sam Patterson
Jack Jenkins vs. Freddy Emiliano Linares
Rafael Ramos Estevam def. Joao Elias via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:25
Mateus Mendonca def. Ashiek Ajim via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:48
Continue reading below for more details about each fight.
Ashiek Ajim vs. Mateus Mendonca
After an awkward glove touch, the fighters sized each other up and began letting the strikes fly. After trading kicks, Mendonca unloaded a lightning-quick two-punch combination that folded Ajim. Mendonca rushed in to follow up and landed a crushing left hand that put Ajim out cold. What a performance.
Result: Mateus Mendonca def. Ashiek Ajim via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:48
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 56: Best photos
Records: Ashiek Ajim (6-2), Mateus Mendonca (10-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Joao Elias vs. Rafael Ramos Estevam
The action immediately began without a glove touch and hyper aggression from Elias. The fight went to the ground and Elias began throwing up wild submission attempts as Estevam remained calm and worked his way to an advantageous position. The wild scrambles on the mat continued, with Elias looking for kneebars and ankle locks. Estevam found himself on top and began raining down hard ground and pound strikes until the end of the round, nearly getting the stoppage.
The action was paused after an accidental clash of heads in the early seconds during a takedown sequence. The fight resumed and Estevam once again took top position on the ground. Hard punches from top position continued until the referee saw enough for the TKO stoppage.
Result: Rafael Ramos Estevam def. Joao Elias via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:25
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 56: Best photos
Records: Joao Elias (17-4-1), Rafael Ramos Estevam (11-0)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Jack Jenkins vs. Freddy Emiliano Linares
The two featherweights met in the middle of the cage and began trading punches and kicks. Jenkins secured a takedown a moment later and began working from half guard. After a couple of minutes, Jenkins found the opening to take full mount, but Linares was able to reverse and get the fight back to the feet. A few punches were traded in the closing seconds.
Result:
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 56: Best photos
Records: Jack Jenkins (9-2), Freddy Emiliano Linares (10-0)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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