Dana White’s Contender Series Week 2 Storylines

Aside from Joe Pyfer’s stunning knockout, the performances didn’t necessarily deliver last week on Dana White’s contender series. However, this week, I guarantee you, these fights will deliver the goods.

Charlie Campbell vs Chris Duncan

The 26-year-old Campbell couldn’t have made it to the contender series without the help of Long Island’s finest, UFC lightweight veteran Al Iaquinta. At eighteen, Campbell sorrowed a career-halting injury, suffering severe tendon and nerve damage in his wrist, forcing him to stay on the sidelines for over three years. The setback had put Charlie in a dark place, causing him to battle depression and alcohol addiction. However, on a night when the stars were aligned sublimely, he met Al Iaquinta, and eventually, he asked for his help, and Al obliged. Shortly after, Al Iaquinta introduced Campbell to his team; the rest was history.

On the opposite corner, Scotland’s Chris Duncan will be making his appearance on the contender series for the second time. Last season was certainly a rollercoaster for Duncan. Due to an opponent withdrawal, Duncan had to make weight three times in a week to then step on short notice against a killer in Viacheslav Borshchev. Eventually, Duncan fell short in a fight where he fought well and showed character under unfavourable circumstances. However, he has a second time to make things right.

Vinicius Salvador vs. Shannon Ross

Full-time mechanic and father, Australia’s Shannon Ross had his football career cut short due to the countless injuries he suffered from playing football for over a decade. Ross entered a Mixed Martial Arts gym intending to stay in shape after he retired from football. A few months after, his coach convinced him to take one fight even though Ross was firmly against the idea. However, after Ross scored a knockout in his debut, he hasn’t stopped working until now, and he’s one step away from punching his way to the UFC.

Brazil’s Vinicius Salvador started fighting at eight. Seventeen years later, he finally gets his opportunity to carry the Brazilian flag at the grandest stage of all, following the footsteps of his icons. Salvador is making the walk on the contender series with a powerful purpose, his Mother. Not long ago, Salvador found out that his Mother had a brain tumour on the day of his Jungle Fighting debut. Stuck in the middle was where Salvador was, deciding whether he should cancel his debut. However, his coaches and grandmother reminded him of the opportunities fighting could provide for his family. Salvador fought and won that night, leading to this opportunity.

Francis Marshall vs. Connor Matthews

Undefeated prospect Francis Marshall is making his highly anticipated appearance on the contender series with a record of 5-0, 5 finishes, and 5 rare-naked chokes. The 23-year-old Marshall takes pride in his purple belt in Jui Jitsu. However, boxing has been a focus of this camp. And he looks to showcase his power on the feet to the liking of UFC president Dana White.

After leaving the military in 2019, Connor Mathews decided to chase his dream of becoming a world champion. Mathews is entering this fight just like his opponent, carrying an impressive record of 5-0, 5 first-round finishes, with none of his fights going past 2.5 minutes. Based on these stats, betting this fight under 2.5 is almost guaranteed money.

Shimon Smotritsky vs. Billy Goff

Shimon Smotritsky has been touted as Israel’s most promising young talent. In his first attempt to enter the UFC, Smotritsky didn’t live up to the expectations. However, he gets a second shot to show what we thought he had the first time.

Smotritsky started his Mixed Martial Arts journey at four years old, and even though he’s still 21, he has a wealth of experience in combat. In the last season, Smotritsky was submitted by Canada’s Michael Malott. Many thought that it was the end for Shimon. However, he competed less than eight weeks later and scored a second-round knockout, earning him a second shot at Dana White’s contender series.

24-year-old Billy Gaff was asked to describe his fighting style with one sentence, and his response was, “guaranteed excitement.” Gaff is currently on a five-fight winning streak, and he’s planning to make his entrance to the UFC memorable from start to finish. I expect Gaff to show the young Smotritsky that his low fight IQ will cost him another chance at a UFC contract.