Dana White’s Contender Series Storylines | Week 8, Season 6

This past Saturday, the wildest fight week in UFC history transpired. Poetic justice is a fitting label for what occurred. This week’s contender episode continues the chapter of poetic justice as the headliner, Farid Bashrat, looks to follow in the footsteps of his brother Javid on their quest to glory from their humble beginnings.

Farid Basharat vs Allan Begosso

Last season, a spiteful bantamweight named Javid Basharat displayed his ferociousness when he dispatched Oron Kahlon in the third round. This Saturday, Javid makes his return to the octagon. However, this Tuesday is all about his brother, Farid Basharat.

Farid was scheduled to make his contender series debut earlier this season. However, due to his opponent missing weight drastically, Bashrat’s vision of earning a UFC contract was delayed.

The 25-year-old enters the Apex with an impressive resume of 8-0 with 5 rear-naked chokes under his belt. So, when Bashrat takes the back, it’s over for his adversaries. However, his opponent Allan Begosso has something to say about the matter.

The 26-year-old Brazillian currently trains out of Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male with hopes and aspirations of joining his teammates to compete on the biggest stage of all.

Begosso is coming off a spiteful flying knee knockout under the LFA banner. So, unquestionably, the man is dangerous, but will Bashrat’s fighting spirit be too much for the hopeful Brazillian? A definitive answer is incoming shortly.

Ikram Aliskerov vs Mario Sousa

Two fiery middleweights take the co-main spot as the experienced Ikram Aliskerov locks horns with Brazilian assassin Mario Sousa.

Managed by Dominance MMA boss Ali Abdelaziz, Aliskerov aims to join Ali’s elite stable of athletes competing under the UFC banner with an impressive win this Tuesday. 

Aliskerov’s only loss came in the hands of arguably the most dominant active fighter in combat sports, Khamzat Chimaev. So, in all actuality, who wouldn’t lose to Khamzat?

Dana White’s contender series veteran Sousa returns for the third time with a do-or-die mindset. Since his last appearance on the show, the Brazilian refused to be denied another chance, scoring three consecutive first-round knockouts in the past year.

Third time’s a charm for Sousa? Will the Russian join his only conquerer to the UFC? The octagon is where the truth will be at.

Malik Lewis vs Trevor Peek

It doesn’t get better than this: Two undefeated concussive punchers clash in a lightweight showdown as Malik Lewis battles Trevor Peek for one main thing, validation.

Currently, Malik Lewis holds a professional record of 5-0. However, he’s 7-0 as an amateur, proving that experience will be on his side for this one. That said, experience certainly doesn’t always pay off when two heavy punchers collide.

Trevor Peek is 6-0 as a professional with 6 knockouts. As an amateur, all his wins also came by knockout. What’s even more impressive about Peek is that his power carries late in fights. Need proof? After a gruelling battle in September last year against Ben Brewer, he managed to get a late spectacular third-round knockout.

It’s all about who’s going to connect first in this one. Just don’t blink.

Bruna Brasil vs Marnic Mann

Two rising strawweight contenders compete for a contract this week as Bruna Brasil continues to defy all odds when she faces Montana’s Marnic Mann.

Rarely do we see a strawweight with an 80% finish rate. Well, Marnic Mann looks to showcase her power and underrated ground game in the most significant opportunity of her career. Mann has also finished both of her amateur fights in under two rounds.

Bruna Brasil takes pride in her resiliency and ability to dust herself off when falling. It doesn’t get tougher than losing your professional debut after years of relentless training. After taking 3 years off, Brasil returned only to Draw her opponent, Pamela Assis. Bruna went on to go 1-1 in her next two fights. 

It doesn’t get more discouraging than starting your career with a 1-2-1 record. However, Bruna turned her fear into fuel, resulting in her going on a 6 fight-winning streak.

There’s a massive size difference between both competitors. It’s all going to be about who will execute their game plan and establish dominance early.

Daniel Marcos vs Brandon Lewis

Bantamweights kick off this week’s episode as Daniel Marcos ends his three-year hiatus when he clashes against the returning Brandon Lewis.

Looking at both men’s records, Peru’s Daniel Marcos has had a more successful career. However, when you talk about jumping on the contender series after a 3-year layoff, truthfully, it’s far from a smart move. That said, even though his opponent Brandon Lewis has had an active year, he has fought only 3 times since 2017.

We’ve yet to see consistency from either man, resulting in the odds being close to a toss-up. 

This fight will all be about who maintains composure under the bright lights and sights of UFC boss Dana White.