Dana White's Contender Series 76: Grading the winners

Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.

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Jonathan Micallef

Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Jonathan Micallef def. Mohamed Ado via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:01
Grade: A-

Summary: Despite ultimately doing what this show – as well as his career – requires of him, I ended up settling on an unenthused A- for Jonathan Micallef, given how little there was to grade.

In fact, fights like these (as well as one we’ll get to later) perfectly represent a point I touched on last week regarding Dana White’s proclivity for fast finishes influencing both the action and the adjudication of said action. For that reason, don’t be surprised to see fast finishes get B gradings from me in future columns – especially if the rawness of the talent is pungent or if the process is lacking.

Don’t get me wrong: Micallef was taking whatever Mohamed Ado was going to give him, and the triangle transition was smooth as hell.

That said, I’d argue that it was Ado’s clear rawness in the skills department that played right into Micallef’s hands considering that triangles from your back are a rarity in all men’s divisions at the UFC level (particularly in weight classes north of 155 pounds).

For that reason, I’ll temper my expectations on Micallef until I’m able to see more from him. I’m not shocked to see Micallef signed and I suspect he’ll be tested against American talents like Billy Goff or Charles Radtke for his first booking.

Julieta Martinez

Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Julieta Martinez def. Leslie Hernandez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Grade: B+

Summary: Between Julieta Martinez’s fun fighting style to a nickname that sparks off all sorts of Richard Gere jokes in my head, I felt hardpressed to give “The Ninja Ferret” a solid B+ for her winning effort opposite Leslie Hernandez.

To be honest, I was much more impressed with Hernandez to start this fight. The American looked incredibly composed and applied good counters in the clinch throughout the early parts of the fight.

However, after a rough first frame, Martinez appeared to use her aggression to power through the defenses of Hernandez, finding more and more success as the fight wore on.

From diverse head kicks in space to a sticky grappling game in closed quarters, Martinez is just a boxing game short of being a real threat to future contemporaries.

Despite Martinez technically receiving a lower grade than the previous winner, I came away more excited from this contest given everything that we were able to see from both parties. That said, I don’t disagree with the logic Dana White gave behind his decision to ultimately not sign Martinez.

Although I’d like to see more development deals given out as White did here, I also wonder why the UFC matchmakers continue to book these seasons with incredibly raw talent (who arguably stand to lose more with an exciting performance and subsequent signing to the big show).

Hopefully, we will see more seasoned fighters getting second chances next season as opposed to this Jerry Sandusky-style talent scouting that they’re using to fill these shows.

Yadier del Valle

Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Yadier del Valle def. Antonio Monteiro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Grade: A

Summary: Even though going to a decision can be looked down upon on this show, there’s no way that anyone can deny that this wasn’t the best fight of the night (as well as the season, for that matter). And for that reason, there’s no way Yadier del Valle gets anything less than an A for absolutely taking it to Antonio Monteiro as an underdog.

Although Monteiro came in with an edge in experience and an association with the respected Nova Uniao camp, the Brazilian’s defense – or lack thereof – appeared to completely fall off a cliff when facing a southpaw like del Valle.

A pressuring madman, del Valle’s style represents the hard-working Latino stereotypes that he proudly wears on his sleeve (showing some incredible emotions post-fight that can’t help but endear him further from a fandom perspective).

More range weapons and kicks wouldn’t hurt del Valle’s southpaw stylings, but it’s hard to complain about anything, given the vicious clinch and ground striking that the Cuban put on display.

From slicing elbows to brutal body knees, del Valle presents potent threats that I can’t wait to see unleashed in the UFC’s featherweight stable. I was hoping that Dana White would sign both men, considering Monteiro’s action-fighting reliability, but I’m happy to see del Valle brought on board.

As far as del Valle’s first official assignment goes, I’d love to see him throw right into another fun matchup with someone like Hyder Amil.

Luis Gurule

Weight class: Flyweight
Result: Luis Gurule def. Nick Piccininni via split decision (29-28, 28-9, 29-28)
Grade: B+

Summary: Between being a sizeable underdog and taking this fight on under a week’s notice, I couldn’t deny Luis Gurule anything less than a B+ for getting it done against Nick Piccininni.

Although I have a bit of bias on the Piccininni side, given that he was one of my prospects to watch in 2023, I don’t disagree with the judges giving the nod to Gurule based on his argument for scoring more in the first and second frames via effective striking.

Despite not being nearly as accoladed a wrestler as Piccininni, Gurule had enough wrestling experience to scramble effectively and give his striking a chance in space.

To his credit, Picininni pushed through some tough spots early to put a hellacious pace on Gurule. If Piccininni continues to progress under the care of Sayif Saud and company, then I could see him finding success in the future if he can fully embrace his Frankie Edgar-like style and sensibilities.

As for Gurule, I’m glad that Dana White signed him given that the undefeated 30-year-old looks like a reliable action fighter. I’m not sure if the UFC brass will pair Gurule up with someone coming off a loss, but I’d love to see the American pitted against Lucas Rocha early next year for a fight that would be guaranteed fireworks.

Nick Klein

Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Nick Klein def. Heraldo Souza via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:37
Grade: A-

Summary: In another fight that has me questioning my grading scale, I felt the need to keep the same energy I did with the opener by giving Nick Klein an A- for making quick work of Heraldo Souza as an underdog.

Don’t get me wrong: Klein deserves his flowers as a short-notice Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt who submitted a black belt, but Souza carelessly giving his back after giving away a takedown tells me very little about the American’s skills or ceiling.

I’m getting strong Zachary Reese vibes from Klein, so hopefully they have a chance to meet down the road for a meme-style matchup.

As for Klein’s first UFC assignment, I say get him in there sooner rather than later with someone like Ryan Loder so that we can see more of this kid.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 76.