Season 9 of Dana White’s Contender Sequence could have began off gradual, but it surely’s shortly develop into one of the violent seasons within the historical past of the present.
On Tuesday night time, Week 8 of Contender Sequence occurred on the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and it was one other night time of brutal motion with 4 finishes within the 5 fights, bringing the season complete as much as 28 finishes in 40 fights. This week, all 4 finishers have been awarded UFC contracts, with the lone winner being left off given a message to return again and take a look at once more sooner or later.
Damian Pinas vs. Vitor Costa
In the principle occasion, Damian Pinas stamped his ticket to the UFC with authority, slumping Vitor Costa within the first spherical.
Solely 23 years previous, Pinas has solely been coaching MMA for 4 years, however the Aruba native certain doesn’t look that uncooked. Costa got here out with lots of motion and strain, however Pinas saved his composure after which thumped him with a textbook 1-2 that despatched Costa crashing to the canvas. “The Babayaga” was a straightforward option to earn a UFC contract, and Dana White, in fact, obliged.
Louis Jourdain vs. Magno Dias
Within the co-main occasion, Louis Jourdain confirmed a well-rounded skillset earlier than submitting Magno Dias within the third spherical of their bantamweight struggle.
The youthful brother of UFC veteran Charles Jourdain, Louis Jourdain confirmed an analogous skillset, getting the higher of the hanging exchanges with the Preventing Nerds product. Dias had some moments on the bottom, however within the third spherical, Jourdain shifted the momentum, grabbing the again and locking on a fight-ending choke that additionally earned him a UFC contract.
Christopher Alvidrez vs. Eliezer Kubanza
Within the function bout of the night, Christopher Alvidrez made fairly the impression, pulling off the upset over Eliezer Kubanza.
A former standout operating again in highschool, Alvidrez hit the bottom operating on Tuesday, instantly setting the tone with strain and boxing mixtures. Kubanza tried to regulate vary and located some success in doing so, till Alvidrez badly damage him with a pair of hooks. Alvidrez jumped throughout him, and although referee Herb Dean gave Kubanza each alternative, he lastly was compelled to intervene, and Alvidrez acquired the win and a UFC contract.
Kurtis Campbell vs. Demba Seck
Within the second bout of the night, Kurtis Campbell blew the doorways off Demba Seck to punch his ticket to the UFC.
Regardless of being simply 23 years previous, Campbell was a giant betting favourite heading into the struggle, and he confirmed why, shortly taking Seck down. Seck acquired again to his ft, however Campbell held on to the waist and landed a brutal knee that despatched Seck again down. Some follow-up ground-and-pound completed the struggle in below 90 seconds, and Campbell acquired his UFC contract.
Rashid Vagabov vs. Paulo Henrique
Within the opening bout of the night, Rashid Vagabov turned in a strong if barely underwhelming efficiency, controlling Paulo Henrique for 3 rounds to earn a unanimous choice win.
Vagabov was an enormous betting favourite heading into the struggle, and he actually the superior fighter on Tuesday, touchdown the extra highly effective strikes on the ft and controlling the struggle on the ground. Whereas Henrique confirmed good takedown protection, Vagabov was finally in a position to get again management within the third spherical, spending most of it attacking a choke, however Henrique’s protection proved as much as the duty, leaving Vagabov to gather a clear sweep of the judges’ scorecards, however did not make an impression on Dana White, who advised Vagabov to return to the fitness center and return sooner or later.
Try the total outcomes beneath.
Damian Pinas def. Vitor Costa through KO (punch) — 1:46, Spherical 1.
Louis Jourdain def. Magno Dias through submission (rear-naked choke) — 0:39, Spherical 3.
Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza through TKO (punches) — 4:44, Spherical 1.
Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck through TKO (knee and punches) — 1:20, Spherical 1.
Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo Henrique through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
