The Contender Series was back last night with the newest round of prospects eager to impress Dana White and earn the contract to their dream job. There was a slightly different schedule this week with only 4 fights, as Ilias Buliad vs Erick Visconde has been delayed until Week 10 due to illness.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs the weeks roll on, more and more of this year’s Contender Series graduates are making their UFC debuts already. Last weekend, Week 6 graduate Luis Hernandez fought Sedriques Dumas on only a few days’ notice, and submitted his opponent in the first minute.
Fight 1: Aieza Bertolso vs Camila Reynoso
The first fight of the night was in the strawweight division between Brazil’s Aieza Bertolso and Argentina’s Camila Reynoso. It didn’t take long for the pace of the night to be set. After an early exchange, Bertolso landed a slick elbow followed by a hip toss to quickly get the fight to the ground. The Brazilian got a D’Arce choke locked in but could not get the right angle. After some repositioning, she managed to fall onto her back, locking in a tight inverted D’Arce, forcing Reynoso to tap. Aieza Bertolso gets the submission win only 3 minutes into the first round. Bertolso, who’s recorded improved to 8-0, will clearly bring a new type of threat to the UFC’s strawweight division.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 2: Luca Borando vs Ian Escuza
Luca Borando was looking to become the first ever Italian fighter to earn a UFC contract through the Contender Series. His opponent, Peru’s Ian Escuza, is a huge prospect who has never seen the second round in his professional career. Both fighters are known not to shy away from contact. It was clear that the fight was going to end in a finish.
It was an expected rapid and wild start; both fighters started with some striking, with Escuza landing some big knees to his opponent’s body in the clinch. Escuza then quickly shot and landed a takedown. Tornado tried getting up and got to the cage, but after a knee to the body and 2 knees to the head. The referee was forced to stop the fight. It only took Ian Escuza 30 seconds in round number 1 to get the TKO win.
It wasn’t that simple, though, as the fight was deemed over. It came to light that one of the knees to the head was actually an illegal strike. After some confusion, Escuza was still given the win, as enough damage was done for the fight to be over before the illegal strike landed.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 3: Adama Diop vs Zaurbek Sabanov
Adama Diop was hoping to become the first-ever Senegalese fighter ever in the UFC. As a former champion in 2 different MMA organisations, Diop was confident he could get the job done against undefeated Russian fighter Zaurbek Sabanov.
Sabanov started the fight the better, landing some strong body kicks which obviously affected Diop. Diop then got rocked by a straight punch, but he quickly got his opponent against the cage to regroup. They were on the fence for a while, causing the crowd at the Apex Arena to boo before the referee was forced to split them up. Diop started to swing wildly and was actually connecting, and then countered a body kick with a smooth 1-2. Sabanov then started to taunt Diop by sticking his tongue out, but was hit in the process.
It was clear both heavyweights were very tired going into round 2, with a lot of standing around and not many strikes being thrown. Diop then took control of the fight, landing many different ‘messy’ punches. But they were effective, and after a period of Diop keeping up his momentum, the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Adama Diop wins via TKO.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 4: Loai Abushaar vs George Staines
The final fight of the night was a lightweight bout between American Loai Abushaar and top English prospect George Staines. Staines trains with UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Luke Riley, who were in the crowd cheering their teammate on.
Staines started strong, landing 2 huge leg kicks and quickly shooting for a takedown. He picked Abushaar up and held his arm, stopping his opponent from breaking the fall. Staines then forced him down, slamming him on the canvas. He then followed it with some huge ground and pound, but it wasn’t needed. Abushaar’s head banged off the floor, and he was already out cold. Referee Herb Dean was slow to stop the fight, but after seeing the fighter out cold. He had no choice but to end it.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho gets a contract?
As usual, after all fighters are taking in to the octagon to await their fates, UFC boss Dana White is given the mic to announce who has been awarded a contract to the UFC.
Embed from Getty ImagesFirstly, it was Aleza Bertolso vs Camila Reynoso – “Alexa, you looked great on the feet and on the ground. You and you’re only 2 look amazing! You’ll be a great addition to the UFC!’
Secondly, it was Ian Escuza vs Luca Borando – “Ian, this fight should have been a no contest. It was an illegal knee! But Sean Shelby fought hard for you; don’t let Sean regret this! Welcome to the UFC!”
Then it was Adama Diop vs Zaurbek Sabanov – “Alright, big guy (Diop). Your fight was horrible, sloppy, and one of the worst fights I have ever seen. If you fought in the UFC, A heavyweight would knock you straight out. You’re 31; what would you do if you didn’t get a contract here tonight? Don’t make me regret this, welcome to the UFC!
Lastly, it was George Staines vs Loai Abushaar – “George, you were up against a massive guy, and you destroyed him. One of the greatest finishes ever. Welcome to the UFC!’
Contract winners!
Aleza Bertolso – Ian Escuza – Adama Diop – George Staines
How did you rate week 8 of the Contender Series? Which contract winner are you most excited to see in the UFC? Leave a comment below and join the discussion!
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