Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Episode 5

Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Episode 5

Three fighters walked away with UFC contracts on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS): Season 8, Episode 5 . The episode had a smaller talent selection as one fight was cancelled while the fighters were warming up. That gave Dana White four potential contract recipients instead of five. Still, one fighter was left the UFC Apex empty-handed. Thankfully, the three contract recipients make an interesting trio of prospects. Let’s discuss which fighters have the highest upside as they enter the UFC.

Josias Musasa- Bantamweight

Josias Musasa is the most interesting prospect from this episode of DWCS. The 25-year-old bantamweight earned a UFC contract with a split-decision victory over Otari Tanzilovi.

One of the biggest adjustments that needs to be made when evaluating UFC prospects is valuing their physical traits and intangibles. In a lot of scenarios, technique is often the biggest piece of the puzzle. At times, height and reach are also valued. That said, we have seen talented prospects fail in the UFC because they lack the physicality or toughness to compete in the UFC. On the contrary, fighters who check a lot of physical boxes are given less of a chance because of their technical shortcomings. Let’s not make that mistake with Musasa.

Musasa had all the signs of a wild fighter who fades if he does not get the early finish. In his career, he had never fought for more than a round and a half. That was not how this fight played out, however. Musasa got in Tanzilovi’s face and pressured him for three rounds. That should not have happened. Musasa is a big bantamweight who is powerful and throws hard. Plus, this bout featured a ton of grappling

In this fight, Musasa showed power, cardio, physicality, durability, length, and determination. I cannot stress that it does not make logical sense how Musasa was able to utilize pressure to pace Tanzilovi. In the third round, Musasa was the much fresher fighter. In the UFC, his pressure will break opponents. That’s if he does not knock them out first. It also helps that his insane chin should help him stay in fights and utilize his pressure.

On the technical side of things, Musasa can be a little wild. That needs to be tightened up, but we have seen a laundry list of fighters who are less technical. The positive is that he is a southpaw who will throw straight shots.

In the grappling realm, Musasa was taken down repeatedly; however, he never accepted the bottom position. If he was taken down, he was looking to get back up in seconds. That is a massive green flag for a fighter who struggles with takedowns.

Musasa is a unique DWCS signee. The UFC bantamweight division simply does not have many fighters with his physical traits. That immediately gives him a good amount of potential. For him to hit his top-end potential he will need to make some technical improvements. That said, he is an athletic 25-year-old. That gives him a chance to grow as a fighter. All things considered, Musasa may not be technically great, but his physicality makes him a prospect with elite upside.

Navajo Stirling- Light Heavyweight

Navajo Stirling knocked out Phillip Latu in the second round to ensure he left DWCS with a UFC contract.

Stirling traits at City Kickboxing and it is evident in his style. The majority of this bout was contested as a distance-striking matchup. In that type of fight, Stirling attacked with leg kicks and teep kicks. The leg kicks were affected because of his ability to use his hands to set them up. In the rare moments he let his hands go, they looked decent.

At six-foot-four with an 82-inch reach, Stirling passes the size check for the light heavyweight division. That provides him with an increase in upside.

My issue with Stirling is that he seemingly did not trust hands go as much as you would like. This allowed Latu to pressure and land some big strikes. In the UFC, he needs to let his hands go. Furtermore, he only has five MMA fights. That is evident in his grappling skills. The fight did not even feature many grappling exchanges, but it did not take many for me to get concerned.

At the moment, Stirling’s size, and kicking ability are a great base for the light heavyweight division. I expect him to beat entry-level light heavyweights. That said, he is going to go through rough patches and come out as a better fighter. That is what happens when you get signed with five professional fights to your name.

Nicolle Caliari- Women’s Flyweight

The final signee from this episode of DWCS is women’s flyweight Nicolle Caliari. The 27-year-old submitted Corinne LaFramboise in the first round.

Caliari was the clear front-runner in this fight. On the feet, she appeared to be the much better striker. Meanwhile, she was landing judo throws to get to the top position. Eventually, she gets taken down and throws up an armbar to get the win.

It is hard to rank Caliari after her performance. It does not help that she was fighting a 35-year-old with an 8-4 professional record. On the regional scene, her level of competition was similar.

The positive with Caliari is that she appears to be physical. That is a great start for any fighter entering the women’s flyweight division. I also like that she has a well-rounded skill set. I do not know if she is elite in either realm; however, an elite skill is not a requirement in the women’s bantamweight division until she hits the rankings.

Caliari is a fighter clearly capable of getting unranked wins in the women’s bantamweight division. I cannot confidently give a more detailed prediction until she fights a better opponent.

***

CLICK HERE for more of our UFC/MMA content

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

The post Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Episode 5 appeared first on Vendetta Sports Media .