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It was a night for the underdogs on the latest episode of Contender Series.

On Tuesday night, the fourth episode of season eight of Contender Series took place in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX. After five fights, three underdogs managed to get their hands raised, including Yuneisy Duben, who delivered one of the best knockouts in Contender Series history. At the end of the night, UFC CEO Dana White rewarded all the underdogs with UFC contracts, along with the two other winners, signing five new fighters to UFC.

Ko upsets Cavalcanti

In the featured fight of the evening, Seok Hyun Ko took on Igor Cavalcanti in a welterweight contest, showing well-rounded skills to win a unanimous decision.

A +240 underdog heading into the bout, Ko survived Cavalcanti’s big haymakers and mixed his skills well, scoring takedowns and landing clean shots on the feet, wearing Cavalcanti down for three rounds. In the end, Seok Hyun Ko won a wide unanimous decision and impressed White enough to earn a UFC contract.

Santos outboxes Currie

It wasn’t the most exciting performance, but Djorden Santos kept his win streak alive against Will Currie.

Santos was a sizable underdog in his middleweight matchup with Currie but certainly didn’t look it, defending takedowns and working Currie over with his superior boxing and pressure. As the fight went on, Santos wasn’t able to secure a finish, but nonetheless picked up a wide unanimous decision win and White rewarded Santos for the big upset win with a UFC contract.

Bashi submits Ramos

Austin Bashi entered Contender Series as one of the best prospects of the season, and the 22-year-old looked every bit of that, scoring a submission finish over Dorian Ramos.

Already 12-0 in his young MMA career, Bashi is one of the new breed of fighters who has been training in all aspects of MMA since he was a child, and he showed all of those skills, working combinations on the feet to then transitioning into the grappling. Ramos fended Bashi off as best he could, but simply had no answer for the BJJ prowess of Bashi and eventually gave up the choke in the second round. Given how hyped he is, it’s unsurprising that Bashi was awarded a contract.

Duben starches Clark

Yuneisy Duben delivered one of the most impressive knockouts in Contender Series history over Shannon Clark.

A massive +800 underdog coming into this matchup of two undefeated fighters, Duben came out with fire, repeatedly tagging Clark as the Canadian fighter charged blindly in. That proved to be disastrous for Clark, as a little over a minute into the fight, Duben timed a perfect overhand right that starched Clark stiff as a board and had White telling her she was in before they even got to the end of the show. Then, when the time for contracts did arrive, White brought Duben with him and lauded her with praise for her great performance.

Salkilld outworks Young

In the opening fight of the evening, Quillan Salkilld won a hard-fought scrap over Gauge Young.

Both Salkilld and Young are only 24 years old and they showed that youthful enthusiasm trying to earn a UFC contract, but it was Salkilld’s great kicks and wrestling ability which allowed him to control the action for most of the fight. So competitive was the fight that White even went into the cage to tell both Salkilld and Young they have a bright future in the sport, though ultimately only Salkilld received a contract.

Check out the DWCS results below.

Seok Hyun Ko def. Igor Cavalcanti via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Djorden Santos def. Will Currie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Austin Bashi def. Dorian Ramos via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 2, 3:15

Yuneisy Duben def. Shannon Clark via knockout (punch) — Round 1, 1:13

Quillan Salkilld def. Gauge Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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Jon Jones is the greatest fighter of all time, at least so says the UFC.

On Tuesday night during the latest episode of Contender Series, the world’s leading MMA promotion unveiled a new trailer, not promoting their next pay-per-view or event, but one strictly promoting heavyweight champion Jon Jones as the greatest fighter to ever compete in MMA.

The video shows a number of Jones’s best career highlights, interspersed with his impressive statistical accomplishments — including 15 championship wins, eight wins over UFC champions, most wins in UFC light heavyweight history (20), among others — all with voiceover from Dana White, Jon Anik, and others proclaiming Jones to be the greatest fighter in history.

The video is the latest salvo from White who recently became somewhat of a meme for his insistence that Jones is not only the greatest ever and his ire at the fact Jones is not the current top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC’s own rankings. Over the past several weeks, White’s argued with reporters over the meaning of “pound-for-pound” and Jones’s place on the current list. White even previously promised he had something prepared for those who disagreed with him, so during the Contender Series post-fight press conference on Tuesday evening, he had a smug response for those in attendance.

“Did you guys read the stats?” White said. “He recently just beat the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I hope you guys read that stat. You know what is f*cking great about technology? We’re not far away from A.I. actually doing these rankings and it will be a great f*cking day when A.I. starts doing this shit. So I’m really excited about that.”

Jones is currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings and No. 8 in the MMA Fighting Global pound-for-pound rankings. He most recently competed back at UFC 285 in March of 2023, where he submitted Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes to claim the vacant heavyweight title. Though not yet official, Jones is expected to defend his belt against former champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 which takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

No regrets
| BJPenn.com

It’s that time of year again!

Contender Series keeps rolling on for 10 straight weeks of mixed martial arts (MMA) action. Week four goes down tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, in front of UFC CEO, Dana White, as well as his cadre of matchmakers.

As has become standard for the program of late, four of five fighters got UFC contracts last week.

In the main event this evening, Korea’s Seok Hyun Ko (10-2) takes on Igor Cavalcanti (9-0), who has a 100 percent finish rate with seven knockouts. The co-main event sees Middleweights clash as London’s Will Currie (12-3) takes on Djorden Santos (9-1). The “Featured” bout has the best prospect in North America, Austin Bashi (12-0), fighting short-notice opponent, Dorian Ramos (8-2). A pair of undefeated women’s Flyweights clash as Shannon Clark (5-0) takes on Yuneisy Duben (4-0), and Welterweight finishers kick off the card as Gauge Young (8-1) fights Quillan Salkilld (6-1).

‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:

Seok Hyun Ko vs. Igor Cavalcanti
Djorden Santos defeats Djorden Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Austin Bashi defeats Dorian Ramos via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2, 3:15
Yuneisy Duben defeats Yuneisy Duben via knockout (punch) Round 1, 1:113
Quillan Salkilld defeats Gauge Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

‘Contender Series’ Highlights & Results:

170 lbs:. Seok Hyun Ko vs. Igor Cavalcanti
185:. Djorden Santos defeats Djorden Santos via unanimous decision

145:. Austin Bashi defeats Dorian Ramos via submission

125:. Yuneisy Duben defeats Yuneisy Duben via knockout

155:. Quillan Salkilld defeats Gauge Young via unanimous decision

For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.

MMAmania.com – All Posts

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Yuneisy Duben is about to get a UFC contract.

On Tuesday evening, Duben faced Shannon Clark in the first women’s fight of season eight of Contender Series and she took the opportunity to deliver one of the best knockouts in the history of the show, flattening Clark in the very first round.

Duben was a massive +800 underdog coming into this matchup of unbeaten prospects but she certainly didn’t look it as the Venezuelan fighter lit Clark up with combinations right from the start. Clark couldn’t figure out the range and continued to charge in on Duben, which ended in disaster for her as Duben stepped in with an overhand right that shut off the lights in violent fashion. The sensational knockout makes Duben the biggest underdog to ever win on Contender Series and almost certainly guarantees her a UFC contract.

Check out the highlight below.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

For the first time in his pro MMA career, Gilbert Burns has two consecutive losses on his record. He lost a decision to Belal Muhammad after getting injured early in the fight, followed by a late TKO loss to Jack Della Maddalena.

Despite the losses, fans aren’t overlooking Burns as he takes on Sean Brady this weekend. Brady’s last loss came against Muhammad as well, but he bounced back by submitting Kelvin Gastelum in December 2023.

Burns is hopeful about beginning another title run at welterweight by beating Brady, and he wants Muhammad to be the champion until he reaches the belt again…

Gilbert Burns Praises Belal Muhammad’s Approach As Champion While Hoping To Get His Rematch

Burns talked about his ambition to get another chance at becoming the UFC welterweight kingpin in an interview with MMA Junkie recently. He naturally needs to get past Brady first and hopes that Muhammad beats Shavkat Rakhmonov to remain champion.

“Durinho” not only wants to get his rematch but also likes how Muhammad has carried himself since becoming champ. For instance, “Remember the Name” aims to move up a weight class only after fighting all top contenders at welterweight.

Burns acknowledged that he’s trained with Rakhmonov quite a few times when they share camps. However, he’ll still be backing Muhammad to win as it’s the most ideal scenario for his rematch.

“I want Belal to stay champion when I fight for the title, you know, that’s my goal and then get the rematch for the title. That would be great so I’m team Belal Muhammad, you know, I want this guy to keep winning and then whenever I’m there, that’s the guy that I’m facing.”

The former title challenger also talked about how things have changed in the UFC welterweight division after Kamaru Usman’s dominant reign ended. He praised Muhammad for wanting to fight Rakhmonov over Usman as the former kingpin has now lost three UFC fights in a row.

“I like that Belal is being a good champion, you know, he said he wants to fight, face the number one contender guys, before thinking on moving up or moving, you know, fighting another champion. I like that, that’s my, that was my go-to you know. Go over there, beat the number one fighters, keep beating these guys and especially he, you know, he need to make that fan base, you know. He needs to make the fans excited. He’s doing a great job right now the way he talks and I think he’s gonna be a great champion.

Because he’s been saying the right things and wants to give his division’s contenders opportunities, Burns totally supports Muhammad to remain the champ for at least a year or two. Unsurprisingly, he would want to fight Muhammad again at his best and grab a UFC belt for the first time in his career.

• READ MORE: Tyron Woodley Reveals How Nate Diaz Backtrack Led To Dana White Feud

Continue Reading ‘I’m Team Belal Muhammad’ – Gilbert Burns Extends Support For UFC Welterweight Champ Against Shavkat Rakhmonov at MMA News.

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