In a night filled with electrifying performances, Brendson Ribeiro emerged as the undeniable star, headlining an extraordinary five-contract evening during DWCS Season 7, Week 5 at the UFC APEX. Ribeiro’s explosive UFC debut left fans and Dana White in awe, as he secured his spot in the promotion with a breathtaking first-round knockout of Bruno Lopes.
Despite entering the Octagon as a significant underdog, the 26-year-old Brazilian light heavyweight showcased his ferocious talent. Ribeiro, with a record of 15-5, 1 NC, kept his 100-percent finishing rate intact with a jaw-dropping sequence. He unleashed a precise one-two combination that sent Lopes (11-1) crashing to the canvas before sealing the deal with a flurry of relentless follow-up punches. The fight was halted at just 3 minutes and 47 seconds into the first round.
“The Gorilla” Ribeiro wasted no time making his intentions clear, stating, “Stay tuned, be alert, because ‘The Gorilla’ is here right now. I want a fight. Dana, put me in the Octagon in Brazil on November 4th [at UFC Sao Paulo]. Why not?”
But Ribeiro wasn’t the only standout of the night. Ukrainian bantamweight Serhiy Sidey (10-1) delivered a lightning-fast and somewhat controversial knockout against Ramon Tavares (8-1) at the 2:26 mark of the first round. Sidey, a 27-year-old prospect, dropped Tavares with a rapid one-two combination, and while there was some debate about the stoppage, the UFC saw potential in Sidey and offered him a contract.
In another contest, former collegiate wrestler Dylan Budka (7-2) engaged in a grueling middleweight battle with Chad Hanekom (9-3). The fight primarily saw both prospects vying for takedowns along the fence, resulting in an uneventful contest. Despite the lackluster bout, Dana White extended an invitation to Budka to drop to the welterweight division and compete with the support of the UFC Performance Institute.
Brazilian featherweight Jean Silva (11-2) added to the night’s excitement with a thrilling showdown against Kevin Vallejos (11-1). Silva, a 26-year-old teammate of Contender Series alumni Carlos Prates and Caio Borralho, bounced back after a technical first round to nearly finish Vallejos. A barrage of powerful strikes along the fence, including a devastating knee to the head and a standing elbow, showcased Silva’s resilience and determination. Vallejos survived the onslaught, but Silva’s dominance in the final frame secured his UFC contract, joining his fellow teammates on the UFC roster.
DWCS Season 7, Week 5 delivered an unforgettable evening of MMA action, featuring remarkable fighters who are now ready to make their mark on the biggest stage in the sport.
