Dana White’s Contender Series 77 took place Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the four-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
With a refreshing 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 whom the UFC matchmakers can use for future events. So, with that trend in mind, I will once again be taking a look at the winning fighters regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, grading their performances in regards to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.
Yuri Panferov
Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Grade: B-
Summary: Despite not getting a contract for his efforts, I found it difficult to deny Yuri Panferov anything short of a B for showing a more well-rounded game opposite Christopher Ewert en route to earning a decision as a near 2-1 underdog.
Panferov displayed solid competency in multiple phases of the fight, but Ewert appeared to be one of those chin and stamina bullies who have just enough size and athleticism to explode out of the bad spots they seem to put themselves in.
Ewert’s janky striking seemed to trouble Panferov at points of the fight, but once “The Russian Polar Bear” stole the lead-hand initiative, he was able to get going in combination against his Chilean counterpart.
I can’t say that I’m surprised that Dana White passed on signing Panferov considering the sluggish (and amateurish) feel to this fight on others. That said, don’t be surprised to see Panferov given a third swing at bat given his age and the UFC matchmakers’ infatuation with middleweights
Radley da Silva
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Radley Da Silva def. George Mangos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Grade: C-
Summary: Despite setting the bar for boring on the night, I still felt it was hard to give Radley Da Silva anything less than a C considering the standing of his opponent, George Mangos.
A fighter who made my prospects to watch list for 2025, I can assure you that Mangos was not an easy fighter for Da Silva to control.
The problem, however, is that Da Silva did not do nearly enough with his positions – all while Mangos arguably did too much with his scrambles and submission efforts. These two things, in concert, made for a frustrating watch for us all (and Da Silva’s post-fight interview also did him no favors as far as selling us on him goes).
I don’t disagree with White passing on Da Silva and am glad to hear the UFC president remind the Canadian that he’s still young and has plenty of time to earn his way back with another impressive win streak
Baisangur Susurkaev
Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Baysangur Susurkaev def. Martaz Talha via TKO (body kick) – Round 1, 3:12
Grade: A
Summary: Between stepping in on short notice for Damian Pinas and finishing in fantastic fashion, I found it difficult to deny Baysangur Susurkaev anything short of an A for starching Martaz Talha in Round 1.
Despite this card looking fruitful pre-event, it’s kind of ironic that the short-notice fighter is the only competitor to produce a finish. But I digress.
It’s hard to be too harsh on Talha, considering that he was initially preparing for Pinas (pause), but the Russian-born fighter became immediately uncomfortable after failing to take Susurkaev down along the fence.
We didn’t get to see much, but Susurkaev showed some of the striking swagger that his Kill Cliff FC stablemates have raved about en route to shutting down Talha quickly with a snap kick to his midsection.
Signing Susurkaev was a no-brainer, and it sounds like the UFC matchmakers already have him in mind for an up-and-coming slot. For my money, expect to see him booked on an international card before the year’s end opposite anyone ranging from Jackson McVey to Andre Petroski.
Ty Miller
Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Ty Miller def. Jimmy Drago via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Grade: B
Summary: Earning a solid B from me, Ty Miller officially finds himself as a part of the UFC roster after besting an incredibly tough Jimmy Drago on the feet.
Drago, whether we’re talking about his style or his story, is such an easy fighter to root for, but the native New Yorker had a tough time closing the distance on Miller after the large welterweight was able to find his range.
Miller, who looks like he’ll be finishing his career as a middleweight (or maybe even light heavyweight), appears to be a difficult fighter to deal with on the feet.
Hailing from Fit NHB in New Mexico, you can tell that Miller is well-schooled in the striking arts. That said, I would still like to see more variety in all realms from the 25-year-old as he continues to grow.
I hope the UFC matchmakers don’t rush Miller too fast, but don’t be shocked to see him booked opposite someone like Billy Ray Goff or Yusaku Kinoshita before the end of 2025.
Ilian Bouafia
Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Ilian Bouafia def. Neemias Santana via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Grade: D
Summary: In what was easily the most frustrating watch of the night, Ilian Bouafia somehow squeezes a unanimous decision over Neemias Santana in a fight that could’ve easily been a draw.
Say what you will about Santana’s mostly empty aggression and screaming, but there was so little action to score between the two that I wouldn’t have blamed any of the judges for having to go to tertiary scoring criteria in order to award a winner for the last two frames.
Between the blatant headbutt that Bouafia sustained in the opening round, as well as the fact that Dylan Budka only somehow got a D from me for his ignominious outing in seasons prior, I found it hard to go as hard as the UFC president did by giving out an F in this spot.
That said, outside of a massive need for more warm bodies, a la a show increase for next season, don’t be expecting to see either of these two back anytime soon.
