Maheshate became the first DWCS winner from China after an action-packed win over Achilles Estremadura in Season 5’s season closer, and the headlining winner was only one of two UFC contracts handed out on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Maheshate traded near-knockdowns with Estremadura in a first round filled with firefights against the fence. The Chinese fighter extended his lead emphatically in the second round with a flying knee that sent Estremadura’s head skyward. With his opponent badly diminished, Maheshate styled throughout the third round, landing reverse elbows, flying knees, kicks and other surprises to close out the 15-minute bout. All three judges gave him 29-28 scorecards.
In the night’s big surprise, the owner of a highlight-reel knockout, Jonas Bilharinho, was denied a contract due to a lack of killer instinct in the octagon, per UFC President Dana White.
Lainesse beats Burlinson to the punch
For a second, it looked like the greatest danger Yohan Lainesse faced against Justin Burlinson was a submission. In the first minute alone, he defended a string of attempts after the opening bell rang, with Burlinson going from guillotine to kimura to armbar. Burlinson eventually got back to his feet, ready to slug it out with Lainesse. But as they both wound up for left hooks, it was Lainesse who landed first, and Burnlinson who hit the canvas. With another shot, Burlinson was undefeated no more, and Lainesse had extended his unbeaten streak to 8-0 with a TKO at 1:37 of Round 1.
Da Silva outlasts Lin in war
Qui Lin dropped Erisson Ferreira da Silva. Silva wobbled Lin. Lin nearly choked Silva, and Silva returned the favor. Back and forth the flyweights went as they fought for every inch of the octagon over three rounds. In the end, judges awarded Silva the unanimous decision via three 29-28 scorecards, awarding Silva’s extended guillotine attempt in the final frame and a slight edge in striking on the feet and on the ground. Lin proved himself a worthy competitor, however, and future UFC material.
Bilharinho stuns Kawaihae in third with highlight-reel shot
Jonas Bilharinho and Canaan Kawaihae weren’t wowing anyone as they traded single strikes and battled for position against the fence for two-plus rounds. Bilharinho, none too confident with his own prowess, was the better fighter in adjusting to his opponent and started to land with increasing frequently as the fight went into deep waters. But then, he pulled out of nowhere a spinning hook-kick, just as Kawaihae marched in to mix it up, and cracked the jaw to send his foe slack-limbed to the canvas for the stoppage at the 4:00 mark of the third.
Puerta cruises in third, wins split
Juan Puerta had eight inches of reach on Shang Zifa and yet elected to use his wrestling to neutralize Shang Zifa. Over two rounds, Puerta earned takedowns and won positions, landing enough on the ground to take the 10-9 scores. As Puerta took his foot off the gas in the third, Zifa made it interesting by chasing his opponent around the cage and winging big bombs. One shot landed, but it wasn’t enough to take out Puerta, who won 29-28 scores on two of three judges’ scorecards for the split call.
Full DWCS: Season 5, Week 10 results:
Maheshate def. Achilles Estremadura via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yohan Lainesse def. Justin Burlinson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:37
Erisson Ferreira da Silva def. Qui Lin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jonas Bilharinho def. Canaan Kawaihae via TKO (spinning hook kick) – Round 3, 4:00
Juan Puerta def. Shang Zifa via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)