During Week 1 of DWCS Season 7, five deserving fighters were awarded UFC contracts, with one performance standing out above the rest.
Australian fighter Tom Nolan distinguished himself by delivering a spectacular knockout, making him the standout among the victors, the rest of whom won their bouts by decision, displaying mixed levels of entertainment.
The event occurred at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and was broadcasted on ESPN+. Here’s an extensive overview of the matches.
In an unexpected turn, kickboxing champion Cesar Almeida showcased his grappling skills against Lucas Fernando. Despite owning several kickboxing titles and a victory over former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira, Almeida’s grappling surprised many. He not only escaped the takedown but also dominated in the following positions, ultimately winning a unanimous decision with scores of 30-26, 29-28, and 29-27.
Cesar Almeida celebrated the win with a unanimous decision in the final fight of the DWCS Season 7 Premiere.
Tom Nolan’s match against Bogdan Grad became notable for Nolan’s response to pre-fight trash talk. Utilizing his height and reach advantage, Nolan successfully knocked out Grad at 1:23 of the first round, earning the first KO of DWCS Season 7.
Caio Machado’s bout against Kevin Szafalrski ended in a one-sided decision but was criticized for lacking real competition. Szafalrski’s failure to engage effectively diminished the value of Machado’s win, resulting in unanimous scores of 30-27.
Payton Talbott’s relentless aggression eventually overpowered Reyes Cortez Jr., resulting in a unanimous decision in Talbott’s favor with three 29-28 scores. The fight included intense exchanges and showed Talbott’s ability to adapt and control the match.
Kevin Borjas won a striking war against Victor Dias, using his heavy hands to secure a unanimous decision with 29-28 scores across the board. His powerful punches and skillful striking dictated the fight and earned him a well-deserved victory.
Here’s the full recap of DWCS Season 7, Week 1 outcomes:
- Cesar Almeida defeated Lucas Fernando by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27).
- Tom Nolan defeated Bogdan Grad via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:23.
- Caio Machado defeated Kevin Szafalrski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
- Payton Talbott defeated Reyes Cortez Jr. by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
- Kevin Borjas defeated Victor Dias by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
