Contender Series 2022: Week 1

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Pyfer has also faced worse competition than Ozzy for the most part though. That's the beauty of the contender series, untested guys fighting each other to see who comes out on top to go 1-3 in the UFC and cut.

Bruh 😂

Getting Brendan Allen vibes from Anton during weigh-ins... his opponent is not UFC caliber but this damn line is driving me crazy, he should be -300 or something along those lines... it's scaring me from taking him.  

* Edited at 07.26.2022, 12:35 AM ET *

Dana White’s Contender Series is back for its sixth season.

Costa vs Luna Martinetti
Alessandro Costa, TKO, R2
Costa is a regional MMA champion and flyweight could use the bodies.

Buzukja vs Romero
Dennis Buzukja, DEC
Dennis Buzukja enters this season on a three-fight winning streak. His first appearance was in 2000, when he fought valiantly against Melsik Baghdasaryan (he lost a decision). He has a tough matchup in Kaleio Romero, a wrestler, so it’s not going to be easy. However, Buzukja is nobody to sleep on.

Turkalj vs dos Santos
Anton Turkalj, TKO, R1
The Swede is undefeated and has already shown great potential to be a guy that can stick with the UFC for years to come when he hits his prime. Turkalj, we have mentioned he’s the best fighter on this card and I think he shows those skills to the awe of the UFC brass.

Pyfer vs Diaz
Joe Pyfer, TKO, R1
Pyfer, a 2020 Contender Series vet, looked impressive in his fight before an injury halted that bout. Pyfer is definitely a blue collar, take-your-lunch-to-work type fighter that loves to bang and doesn’t take a step back.. I can’t even imagine this one going to the judges.Pyfer will receive a contract because Dana and the boys already like him, but also because he will be involved in the Fight of the Night, however long it lasts.

I'm gonna flex my 0% pickrate on DWCS, maybe today my first correct pick? I'm hoping for the swede to win but that dude is built on a blueprint of uncertainty. Maybe I'll just put a bet to be excited for a Tuesday night

I’m hoping Anton adds a brutal highlight to his reel 

Watched plenty of footage on both Ozzy Diaz and Joe Pyfer over the last few days and I am edging with Ozzy Diaz to Win via TKO in this bout... 6ft 4 as opposed to 6ft 1... Ozzy has very good power, probably Light Heavyweight power and in his last bout against, at the time 12 - 5, Bruno Assis, to win the LFA Middleweight Title, his performance was controlled, his striking was on point, his finish was exemplary for what any Striker should do when they have seen they have hurt their opponent from a strike and to me, he just looks better... His fights tend to finish early, so I am a little concerned with how his cardio could fair over 3 Rounds, but I just think Pyfer will try to take Diaz down and come up against a very good TDD that will ensure the fight remains on the feet and Ozzy will just crack Joe with something decent and put him away, with the Referee having to jump in to save Pyfer anymore punishment... Going Ozzy Diaz 1st or 2nd Round... 

This ozzy, throws punches from the back of the head, and the only combo I've seen him throwing is jab overhand, can't understand why many of you go with him, his striking is poor, and he's announced as striker

Again, after watching plenty of footage on both fighters, I just think at some point towards the end of the 1st or 2nd Round, after a somewhat tactical, slow paced bout, Pyfer is going to stand in range,  with his hands somewhat down and Diaz is going to land flush on Pyfer's jaw, which at the very least is going to cause him some serious issues at that point in the fight, but I also feel that Diaz is clinical enough with his striking to put Pyfer away 🤔💯👊🥊🥊👊👍🏼

With what do you think he is going to rock Pfizer guy ?
With his nate diaz striking ?

Pfzier guy🤣🤣🤣🤣

With his decent timing... I feel that Diaz will use his extra size and power advantage to control Pyfer, whether in the center of the cage, or indeed by pushing back towards the cage and when Pyfer drops his guard in preparation to strike himself, Diaz will detonate a big punch on his chin, drop him and go in for the finish with a quick arsenal attack, similar to his bout with Bruno Assis... When you read Ozzy Diaz's MMA record, you also notice that he has a few wins by Submission too... The guys a threat and I just feel that Pyfer is decent, but Not quite at Diaz's level when it comes to striking... Diaz will probably look to calf kick his way into range and he his quite effective with that approach too... Too big for Pyfer and he carries bad intentions in his fists... His Boxing movement is very good too, especially his distance control... Pyfer is dangerous, but Diaz is the true threat in this bout I feel 🤔🥊💯👊👊🥊👍🏼

Only one way to find out 👁 👁 

Turkalj vs. dos Santos
Anton Turkalj, TKO, R1
IMMAF is a breeding ground for some real talent

Odd for Turkalj It keeps going up ( - 170). Strange!!! 

I thought for sure the line would keep creeping up from -205 but that thing keeps dropping. Down to -185 on DK now ***? Im guessing people thinking he gasses first round chasing a finish? 

Not sure what the book is seeing cuz dos santos is not very good

I agree 100% @AyyLmaonnaise. He works as a security guard and trains on the side where as Turkjali trains at All Stars full time. Turkjali didnt look completely shredded at weigh ins so maybe books know something about an injury or something. I dont get it.

I don’t think his cardio is that bad tbh. He’s never gassed out from what I’ve seen. Plus, he’s gone the distance as an amatuer before. I know it’s only 9 minutes but still 

* Edited at 07.26.2022, 3:00 PM ET *