The Contender Collection was again final evening with the latest spherical of prospects wanting to impress Dana White and earn the contract to their dream job. There was a barely totally different schedule this week with solely 4 fights, as Ilias Buliad vs Erick Visconde has been delayed till Week 10 as a result of sickness.
Because the weeks roll on, increasingly of this yr’s Contender Collection graduates are making their UFC debuts already. Final weekend, Week 6 graduate Luis Hernandez fought Sedriques Dumas on just a few days’ discover, and submitted his opponent within the first minute.
Battle 1: Aieza Bertolso vs Camila Reynoso
The primary battle of the evening was within the strawweight division between Brazil’s Aieza Bertolso and Argentina’s Camila Reynoso. It didn’t take lengthy for the tempo of the evening to be set. After an early alternate, Bertolso landed a slick elbow adopted by a hip toss to shortly get the battle to the bottom. The Brazilian bought a D’Arce choke locked in however couldn’t get the correct angle. After some repositioning, she managed to fall onto her again, locking in a decent inverted D’Arce, forcing Reynoso to faucet. Aieza Bertolso will get the submission win solely 3 minutes into the primary spherical. Bertolso, who’s recorded improved to 8-0, will clearly deliver a brand new sort of risk to the UFC’s strawweight division.
Battle 2: Luca Borando vs Ian Escuza
Luca Borando was trying to develop into the primary ever Italian fighter to earn a UFC contract by means of the Contender Collection. His opponent, Peru’s Ian Escuza, is a large prospect who has by no means seen the second spherical in his skilled profession. Each fighters are recognized to not shrink back from contact. It was clear that the battle was going to finish in a end.
It was an anticipated fast and wild begin; each fighters began with some putting, with Escuza touchdown some huge knees to his opponent’s physique within the clinch. Escuza then shortly shot and landed a takedown. Twister tried getting up and bought to the cage, however after a knee to the physique and a pair of knees to the top. The referee was pressured to cease the battle. It solely took Ian Escuza 30 seconds in spherical number one to get the TKO win.
It wasn’t that easy, although, because the battle was deemed over. It got here to gentle that one of many knees to the top was really an unlawful strike. After some confusion, Escuza was nonetheless given the win, as sufficient injury was finished for the battle to be over earlier than the unlawful strike landed.
Battle 3: Adama Diop vs Zaurbek Sabanov
Adama Diop hoped to develop into the first-ever Senegalese fighter ever within the UFC. As a former champion in 2 totally different MMA organisations, Diop was assured he might get the job finished in opposition to undefeated Russian fighter Zaurbek Sabanov.
Sabanov began the battle the higher, touchdown some sturdy physique kicks which clearly affected Diop. Diop then bought rocked by a straight punch, however he shortly bought his opponent in opposition to the cage to regroup. They had been on the fence for some time, inflicting the group on the Apex Enviornment to boo earlier than the referee was pressured to separate them up. Diop began to swing wildly and was really connecting, after which countered a physique kick with a clean 1-2. Sabanov then began to taunt Diop by sticking his tongue out, however was hit within the course of.
It was clear each heavyweights had been very drained going into spherical 2, with a number of standing round and never many strikes being thrown. Diop then took management of the battle, touchdown many various ‘messy’ punches. However they had been efficient, and after a interval of Diop maintaining his momentum, the referee had seen sufficient and stopped the battle. Adama Diop wins by way of TKO.
Battle 4: Loai Abushaar vs George Staines
The ultimate battle of the evening was a light-weight bout between American Loai Abushaar and prime English prospect George Staines. Staines trains with UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Luke Riley, who had been within the crowd cheering their teammate on.
Staines began sturdy, touchdown 2 large leg kicks and shortly taking pictures for a takedown. He picked Abushaar up and held his arm, stopping his opponent from breaking the autumn. Staines then pressured him down, slamming him on the canvas. He then adopted it with some large floor and pound, however it wasn’t wanted. Abushaar’s head banged off the ground, and he was already out chilly. Referee Herb Dean was gradual to cease the battle, however after seeing the fighter out chilly. He had no selection however to finish it.
Who will get a contract?
As traditional, in any case 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.
Firstly, it was Aleza Bertolso vs Camila Reynoso – “Alexa, you seemed nice on the toes and on the bottom. You and also you’re solely 2 look wonderful! You’ll be an incredible addition to the UFC!’
Secondly, it was Ian Escuza vs Luca Borando – “Ian, this battle ought to have been a no contest. It was an unlawful knee! However Sean Shelby fought arduous for you; don’t let Sean remorse this! Welcome to the UFC!”
Then it was Adama Diop vs Zaurbek Sabanov – “Alright, huge man (Diop). Your battle was horrible, sloppy, and one of many worst fights I’ve ever seen. For those who fought within the UFC, A heavyweight would knock you straight out. You’re 31; what would you do in case you didn’t get a contract right here tonight? Don’t make me remorse this, welcome to the UFC!
Lastly, it was George Staines vs Loai Abushaar – “George, you had been up in opposition to a large man, and also you destroyed him. One of many best finishes ever. Welcome to the UFC!’
Contract winners!
Aleza Bertolso – Ian Escuza – Adama Diop – George Staines
How did you fee week 8 of the Contender Collection? Which contract winner are you most excited to see within the UFC? Depart a remark under and be part of the dialogue!
