5 new contracts and one of many largest upsets in MMA historical past!
Dana White’s Contender Sequence was again final night time with week 3 hoping to stay as much as the usual of final week’s historic night time. 10 extra fighters stepped into the octagon with the purpose of impressing the boss to get that all-important contract. From big knockouts to loopy underdog tales, final night time’s occasion had all of it, probably topping its predecessor.
It’s no secret that getting a contract by means of the Contender Sequence could be life-changing. Simply ask night time 1 winner Anthony Wint. Wint solely earned his contract 2 weeks in the past, however has since made his UFC debut, beating Terrance Chatman in spherical 1 at UFC Sacramento final weekend. Nevertheless, it isn’t simply Wint who has been desirous to make their debut, with different night time 1 graduates Bilal Hasan, who’s combating at UFC Shanghai this weekend and Joe Kropschot, who’s combating on the Apex enviornment on the thirty first of October.
Combat 1: Nick Galanti vs Carlos Petruzzella
The primary struggle of the night time was a middleweight bout between American Nick Galanti and Carlos Petruzzella representing Argentina. Each of those fighters have adorned UFC fighters whom they name teammates. Nick Galanti trains with Joe Pyfer & Sean Brady whereas Petruzzella trains with fellow Argentinian Kevin Vallejos.
Because the referee began the primary spherical, Galanti (who’s recognized finest as a grappler) shot straight for a takedown. Petruzzella defended it nicely, initiating a clinch in opposition to the cage. As each fighters pushed away from the clinch, Galanti landed an enormous proper hook, dropping the Argentinian straight to the bottom. Galanti then began touchdown some extra arduous punches to his grounded opponent, forcing the referee to cease the struggle solely 35 seconds into spherical 1. Nick Galanti wins through TKO.
Combat 2: Ronald Humphrey vs Alexis Miranda
The following struggle showcased 2 fighters who’re aiming to deliver a brand new degree of toughness and persona to the UFC welterweight division. Alexis Miranda hails from Tijuana, Mexico and fights out of the identical health club as UFC title contender Michael Morales. However, Ronald Humphrey has constructed up a repute of being a canine in such a small period of time, solely having 4 MMA fights underneath his belt. UFC broadcaster Laura Sanko described Humphrey as “downright sadistic” because the struggle began. It was simple to see why this repute has been constructed.
Spherical 1 began with Humphrey choosing up Miranda and placing him on his shoulders, earlier than smashing him down with an enormous takedown. The Mexican received up shortly, throwing some punishing physique punches to Humphrey. The American responded with some slicing knees and elbows, slicing open Miranda badly. Humphrey landed 3 extra takedowns in spherical 1, not giving Alexis Miranda a second’s relaxation. As spherical 1 was reaching a detailed, Humphrey ultimately received the rear bare choke, inflicting his opponent to go out. Ronald Humphrey wins through rear bare Choke.
Combat 3: Sean Clancy Jr vs Gary Balletto
Subsequent up was one other welterweight bout between Scotsman Sean Clancy Jr and Gary Balletto. Clancy Jr got here into this struggle as a champion from Cage Warriors, seeking to preserve his undefeated report. On the opposite facet, Gary Balletto had a 11-3 report coming into this struggle, in addition to his father, former world champion boxer Gary ‘Tiger’ Balletto.
Spherical 1 began slower than each fights earlier than it, with each fighters protecting their distance, attempting to determine one another out. Clancy Jr received the higher within the spherical, protecting his distance however throwing plenty of kicks to the pinnacle and physique of his opponent. Balletto did have some success on the finish of the spherical, although touchdown some arduous punches bruising the face of the Scotsman. Clancy Jr, determined to modify it up in spherical 2 and landed a takedown to start out the spherical. Slowly, he managed to get full mount, touchdown the occasional elbow to the pinnacle of Balletto. Because the spherical went on, Clancy Jr landed an increasing number of elbows, rendering Balletto unable to proceed. Sean Clancy Jr wins through TKO.
Combat 4: Mario Piazzon vs Guilherme Uriel
The penultimate struggle of the night time showcased Brazilian fighters Mario Piazzon and Guilherme Uriel, who had been each aiming to deliver a brand new menace to the UFC heavyweight division. Piazzon was on the Contender Sequence 3 years in the past, and even gained his struggle. Nevertheless, his win was as a result of his opponent throwing 2 unlawful knees. When the referee stopped the struggle, he knew he wasn’t getting a contract. Uriel has additionally been on the Contender Sequence, however far more not too long ago, shedding to UFC heavyweight contender Josh Hokit. Uriel almost retired from combating after the powerful loss, however his mates satisfied him to maintain going.
Spherical 1 began much like how most of the different rounds of the night time began, with Piazzon aiming to shortly land a takedown. However Uriel defended it nicely together with his again in opposition to the cage. Not solely did Uriel defend it, however he additionally countered and began attacking the standing guillotine choke, and received it locked in after a number of tries. The bout is stopped 50 seconds into spherical 1. Guilherme Uriel wins through standing guillotine choke.
Combat 5: Bella Mir vs Alex Apodaca
The ultimate struggle of the night time introduced one of many largest shocks in MMA historical past. Bella Mir got here into this struggle as a -6000 favorite – the largest favorite in contender sequence historical past. Mir was raised as a fighter by her father, 2x UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir. In addition to being undefeated in her MMA profession, Mir can also be 3-0 on UFC BJJ. Her opponent, Alex Apodaca, is much much less skilled in combating, regardless of being 9 years older. After shedding her skilled MMA debut, Apodaca has since gained 3 fights in a row, in search of a 4th.
Spherical 1 began with each American bantamweights buying and selling early, with Mir getting the higher of the exchanges. Apodaca shortly developed some swelling underneath her proper eye, however completed the spherical dealing some harm of her personal, throwing an elbow that brought about blood to come back down from Mir’s nostril.
In spherical 2, it was clear that the longer she lasted within the struggle, the extra Apodaca’s confidence grew. She began controlling the centre of the octagon, touchdown some good photographs, whereas Mir couldn’t get close to her. Spherical 2 ended with Apodaca receiving only a few hits, whereas additionally inflicting extra harm to her opponent’s nostril and mouth. Mir spent the entire struggle attempting to get the struggle to the ground to indicate off her spectacular jiu-jitsu and submission abilities.
Nevertheless it took her midway into spherical 3 for her to get what she needed. She lastly received Apodaca’s again, looking for the submission, however Apodaca regarded calm and composed, defending herself till the ultimate horn. Not solely did Alex Apodaca final all the struggle, however she additionally gained by unanimous choice (29-28 throughout the board).
Who earned a contract?
First up was Nick Galanti vs Carlos Petruzzella. Dana White informed Galanti, “You couldn’t probably of opened the present any higher; welcome to the UFC”.
Secondly was Ronald Humphrey vs Alexis Miranda. “Ronald, you’re an absolute animal! I believe I’m going to wrestle to search out you a struggle; welcome to the UFC!’
Then it was Sean Clancy Jr vs Gary Balletto. “You’re 23, and also you’re 9-0! I simply love how technical and composed you’re in your age. I’m enthusiastic about your future within the UFC!’ Dana informed Sean Clancy Jr.
After that was Mario Piazzon vs Guilherme Uriel. White stated, “I stored saying, what’s this man doing? He’s tried to get the choke 4 instances; he’s not going to get it, however you probably did get it! Welcome to the UFC!”
And lastly was Bella Mir vs Alex Apodaca. White admitted that he was a little bit biased on this matchup as he has recognized Bella for a number of years. That they’d deliberate out how her profession was going to go. White went on to clarify that Bisping stated on commentary that Alex has one little bit of expertise over Bella.
That was that she had been in deep water, and he was completely right. “You’re the largest underdog winner in UFC historical past, welcome to the UFC Alex Apodaca!”
How did you discover night time 3 of the Contender Sequence? Which contract winners are you most excited to see within the UFC? Submit your ideas within the feedback beneath!
