Contender Series 2022: Week 8

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Seriously, what is this fight? How are these two on the DWCS? I watched a few of their fights and was not impressed by either.

Marcos has been missing for about 3 years. No one seems to know what he was doing all that time. He seems like a decent striker with good punches and kicks but the level of oposition? Fighting out of a Peruvian MMA promotion called Sparta 500 with pictures of Gerard Butler on their promotion logo does not fill me with confidence. Also when he gets put against the cage he cant seem to do much, even though his opponent looked very low level. Do not have a clue what he looks like now.

As for Lewis, it was obvious that the commentators were all biased towards him on his last DWCS where he got absolutely schooled with wrestling by Mo Miller. What does this guy do well? Leg kicks I guess. And he will be a better wrestler than Marcos but how much of a wrestler actually is he? He is also much shorter and has T-Rex arms. Striking looks semi decent but he just seems to punch air most of the time tbh. And he is very hittable. Not sure about his cardio either, seems to slow down.

This fight is a **** show. I think if it stays on the feet Lewis could get picked apart by the longer reach of Marcos, but if he wrestles he could win. I am picking Lewis just because he seems more well rounded,and pushes the pace and has a lot of heart, His fight against Meza was semi decent against an opponent with a 7 inch reach advantage. He also at least puts an effort in till the last bell. Neither look any good. Neither should be in the UFC unless they have improved dramatically. 

* Edited at 09.13.2022, 8:10 AM ET *

Peek over Lewis. Lewis looks nice on film, I like his bounce and his swagger. BUT.. Lewis last sub victory is over a guy who has 3/5 losses by sub. His win before that against cruz , he showed dominance.. BUT Cruz is also a 5-3 guy with FOUR wins fighting people making their debut (0-0) and one person who was 0-2… His fight before that he took on a 1-8 opponent. I guess the thought is that Lewis will have the better wrestling.. but the only time we saw peek have to wrestle.. it was a fight at 180… this man went to war, and Ended up getting the ground and pound stoppage at 180.. so I’m not positive how Lewis will own him on the ground at 155. I could be wrong. 

Peek over Lewis. Lewis looks nice on film, I like his bounce and his swagger. BUT.. Lewis last sub victory is over a guy who has 3/5 losses by sub. His win before that against cruz , he showed dominance.. BUT Cruz is also a 5-3 guy with FOUR wins fighting people making their debut (0-0) and one person who was 0-2… His fight before that he took on a 1-8 opponent. I guess the thought is that Lewis will have the better wrestling.. but the only time we saw peek have to wrestle.. it was a fight at 180… this man went to war, and Ended up getting the ground and pound stoppage at 180.. so I’m not positive how Lewis will own him on the ground at 155. I could be wrong. 

Marcos spent the last 6 months training in South Florida w/ Charles Rosa and Randy Costa. Maybe hes been perfecting his craft? Idk. From the footage I've watched,(almost all of it on his YT channel) he's a slow paced fighter. Uses his range decent but he's also sluggish. Not too fast but he's not slow. I think Lewis will keep the pressure and grind out a decision victory. He always pushes forward , good 1-2s , overhands , footwork and decent clinch. But if he plays to Marcos' pace , he will be picked apart. 

I don't think working with Charles Rosa and Randy Costa will really benefit anyone if those 2 are the best fighters in the gym. Charles Rosa isn't very good other than his BJJ, and Randy Costa is way too green in MMA to actually have a beneficial back and forth with. You don't go 12-0 for no reason tho, so idk, maybe he's good? The odds for tn are pretty wack again tbh, and I think we are going to see some more dogs cashing out

Ayylameass picked
1. Basharat
2. Aliskerov 
3. Lewis
4. Brasil
5. Brandon Lewis

Well I guess my picks then are 

1. Begosso
2. Sousa 
3. Peek
4. Mann
5. Marcos 

Cash it!!!

is malik lewis actually good?

He is good. So is Peek. I think Peek is the best play on the card

Gotta agree with Rahtarded , Peek seems to be the best money on this card. Dude is hungry. 

Mann , Lewis and Peek parlay for +900. 

What 5 he pickin? Lol

This is the fight that worries me about Peek the most.

I just hope Lewis doesn't try to stand to long with Peek Round 1, clinch and takedowns pls

* Edited at 09.13.2022, 3:50 PM ET *

I think Ikram smash’s Souza. His grappling against Njokuani looked pretty poor. That’s not good when you have a grappler the caliber of Ikram on top of you

Dana white contender is simple to make 💰..just fade the Greek and you will make money it’s a fact 

Begosso vs. Basharat
Farid Basharat, DEC
Better fight than Farid's first fight, he still should win

Aliskerov vs. Sousa
Ikram Aliskerov, SUB, R1
Mismatch, Aliskerov is most likely the best fighter to appear so far this season

Lewis vs. Peek
Malik Lewis, TKO, R2
I've scouted Lewis in depth, he's good, really good

Brasil vs. Mann
Bruna Brasil, DEC
Who cares

Lewis vs. Marcos
Brandon Lewis, DEC
Doubt Marcos can win here, good record but bad layoff and poor level of comp

I trust Lewis’s fight iq enough to take peek to the ground. I think he’s way more technical as well