The 7th night of Contender Series season 10 came with a bang last night as 6 new contracts were given out by the boss, Dana White. It was also the first time in Contender Series history that 2 fights saw both fighters earn a contract in one night.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 1: Emilio Quissua vs Damian Piwowarczyk
As always in the Contender Series, the main goal of the majority of the fighters who compete is to impress Dana White, while ending the fight as quickly as possible. It is also important for the first fight of the night to set the pace for the evening, which these fighters achieved.
The fight started lively but was soon put to a halt due to a low blow. After a couple of minutes, the fight started up again with Quissua landing multiple strong right hands to his opponent. Quissua continued his pressure, being on the front foot, forcing Piwowarczyk back towards the fence. He then landed another strong combo, which was followed by a head kick, but Piwowarczyk managed to stay upright and endure all the strikes that came his way.
After surviving the onslaught, it was the Polish fighter’s turn to deal some damage. Piwowarczyk was slowly growing into the right throughout round 1, and it wasn’t until the very end that he landed a very clean right hand, dropping Quissua to the floor. Piwowarczyk followed him to the ground, keeping the strikes coming, and eventually Herb Dean was forced to stop the fight. Damian Piwowarczyk wins via TKO.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 2: Callum Connor vs Piero Guaylupo
The next fight on the card was between 2 young undefeated prospects, who put on one of the best fights in Contender Series history. 26-year-old Englishman Callum Connor started the fight quicker, using his Muay Thai base to land harsh body kicks and lightning-quick elbows to his opponent. It took 21-year-old Guaylupo a bit longer to get into the fight, but he started landing more and more of his very powerful punches. It was clear to see why he was 11-0.
Guaylupo quickly landed two huge right overhands, both stumbling Connor back and knocking him down to the ground, but somehow Connor managed to stay in the fight. Connor landed 3 elbows in quick succession to end a crazy high-paced round 1. Both fighters landed over 60 significant strikes each in the first round.
Again, it was Connor who started the round quicker, landing a knee followed by a head kick, which didn’t seem to faze Guaylupo at all. Every punch that Guaylupo was throwing seemed to be an attempt to finish the fight, landing many powerful connections, but somehow Connor still managed to stay in the fight. By the end of round 2, Dana White was standing up applauding the 2 fighters.
As round 3 began, Guaylupo came out from the stool, obviously trying to finally put his opponent away, landing many huge hook shots. A powerful right overhand, but again he saw his opponent still standing. Connor was also still throwing, landing many quick elbows and knees, and targeting the leading leg of his opponent. As the last 10 seconds of the fight are signalled, both men drop all defence and start swinging in an attempt to stop the fight. But it somehow finished and went to the judges’ scorecards.
If that were to have been an official UFC fight. It would have shattered the significant strike landed record in the lightweight division, and would have been in the top 5 of all time. Both men landed close to 200 significant strikes each. The judges scored the contest 30-27, 30-27, 30,27 in favour of Piero Guaylupo, who gets the unanimous decision win.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 3: Marcos Degli vs Paris Moran
Brazilian flyweight Marcos Degli came into this fight on a 112-fight-winning streak, looking to earn a contract with the UFC to progress his career as an MMA fighter. In his way was American Paris Moran, who trains with the current UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van.
It only took Degli 1 minute to land a big takedown on his opponent. Degli proceeded to smother Moran, attempting a guillotine choke, but his opponent managed to break free. Moran finally managed to get back to his feet, but Degli wasn’t giving up his position, staying on the American’s back, trying to filter through some punches. It was a similar story in round 2, as again Degli shot for a takedown to start the round, but Moran managed to counter and got top position.
As the fight got back to the feet, both fighters started exchanging in the centre of the octagon, before Degli landed another takedown. Soon after, Degli found himself on Moran’s back yet again, similar to round 1. This time, e however, Degli found the 1 armed rear naked choke, forcing his opponent to tap. Marcos Degli wins via submission due to a rear naked choke.
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 4: Jaden Ortega vs Alvi Dasuyev
This fight started slowly, which was a surprise, considering it held some bad blood due to words being exchanged at the weigh-ins earlier in the week. However, it didn’t take long for Dasuyev to showcase his lightning-quick combos, which evidently hurt Ortega.
Dasuyev then threw a devastating right hand that knocked Ortega down to the canvas, but the American quickly managed to get back to his feet. Ortega, who barely had any time to breathe, was again rocked by another combo thrown by the Belgian, who followed up with a big hook to drop Ortega once more. Jaden Ortega didn’t seem to be throwing much, with round 1 coming to a close.
Dasuyev started the round following the same momentum as how round 1 ended, knocking Ortega down yet again with a quick left hand. At this point, Ortega was stumbling around the octagon, but crucially was still on his feet throwing strikes of his own. Ortega seemed to grow into the fight, landing some elbows to the Belgian, who looked to be gassed out from the high-intensity start of the fight. The buzzer sounded just after Ortega caused Dasuyev to stumble back himself. Ortega started round 3 looking very energetic, but was obviously very far behind on the scorecards.
It was crucial that he used his energy advantage to try to finish the fight, as Dasuyev was looking completely worn out. Ortega started to land some powerful leg kicks and some clean strikes, with Dasuyev seemingly having no answer but to sit back and take the onslaught. But with 1 minute left, Dasuyev had 1 final outburst of energy, landing some huge hits and following them with a takedown in the last 10 seconds of the fight.
As the final buzzer sounded, the audience at the Meta Apex Arena and Dana White were on their feet applauding for the second time of the night. The fight went to the judges’ scorecards as Alvi Dasuyev won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Embed from Getty ImagesFight 5: Norbert Novenyi Jr vs Theo Haig
Novenyi Jr was looking to earn a UFC contract last night and become the first Hungarian UFC fighter. Novenyi Jr is on the main training team for Michael Venom Page, and it is obvious from the Hungarians’ exciting style of fighting. His opponent is American Theo Haig, who was on the Contender Series last year but lost. However, that was the only professional loss of his career, with all his wins coming via submission.
Haig got caught early in the fight with a right hand, and he quickly dropped to the floor. He does, however, manage to recover quickly and get the fight against the cage. The fight makes its way to the floor, with Haig taking his opponent’s back. Haig was doing everything to lock in a submission, but Novenyi Jr’s submission defence was too strong as round 1 came to a close.
Novenyi Jr again landed a huge right hand at the start of the fight to get another knockdown. Haig got back up and landed a takedown, again looking for a submission but could not lock it in. Round 2 did not have much action otherwise, with the horn sounding as Haig aimlessly threw a head kick which didn’t connect. Round 3 mainly highlighted the fatigue that both fighters were suffering as Novenyi Jr landed a takedown early on, and most of the round was then held in the clinch.
The final 10-second warning sounded, but both fighters had succumbed to their fatigue, with neither fighter being able to finish the fight. It goes to the judges’ scorecards. Norbet Novenyi Jr. gets the unanimous decision win! (29-29) (29-28) (29-28).
Embed from Getty ImagesWho gets a contract?
Firstly, y it was Damian Piwowarczyk vs Emilio Quissua – “Great first round; he was putting it on you. What do you do? You KO him with 5 seconds left in the round. Welcome to the UFC, Damian Piwowarczyk!”
Secondly, y it was Piero Guaylupo vs Callum Connor – “Both these guys are in the hospital right now. One of the best fights you would ever see. For Guaylupo to do that at 21 years old is insane, but it takes 2 people to make a fight; I’m taking both these guys!”
Then it was Marcos Degli vs Paris Moran – ‘What a nasty, incredible sub you pulled off, f Degli, 13-fight win streak; how can I say no to you ‘.
Afterwards it was Alvi Dasuyev vs Jaden Ortega – “Incredible fight, only the second time you’ve gone 3 rounds. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the UFC (Alvi), but as I said earlier, it takes 2 people to make a fight; I’m taking you both again!”
Lastly, it was Norbert Novenyi Jr vs Theo Haig – “Both of you guys came in with great records, but unfortunately I didn’t see anything that made me want you. Sorry and good luck!”
Contract Earners:
Damian Piwowarczyk – Piero Guaylupo – Callum Connor – Marcos Degli – Alvi Dasuyev – Jaden Ortega.
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