A little bit of UFC historical past was made as 4 extra fighters earned their method into the UFC on the newest episode of Contender Collection
On Tuesday evening, the sixth episode of season eight of Contender Collection befell in Las Vegas on the UFC APEX, and after 5 fights, UFC CEO Dana White awarded 4 of the 5 winners contracts into the UFC, together with one to Elijah Smith, son of former two-time The Final Fighter contestant Gilbert Smith. With Smith now within the UFC, he and his father turn out to be solely the second father-son duo within the promotion’s historical past, following UFC after Corridor of Famer Randy Couture and his son Ryan Couture.
Smith outlasts Tau
In the primary occasion of the night, 22-year-old Elijah Smith survived a robust closing spherical from Aaron Tau to win a unanimous determination and a UFC contract.
The son of former two-time The Final Fighter contestant Gilbert Smith, “Swift” seemed nice early, doing virtually something he wished in opposition to the 31-year-old Metropolis Kickboxing product. However within the third spherical, Smith — who took the battle on brief discover — started to fade and Tau turned it on, leading to a knockdown canine battle as Smith refused to again down regardless of tiring. Ultimately, Tau received the third spherical battle however misplaced the struggle as Smith took dwelling the choice win and the spot within the UFC.
Teixeira crumbles Lopes
Within the penultimate battle of the night, Tallison Teixeira did what he was purported to do and obliterated Arthur Lopes with a first-round knockout that earned him a spot within the UFC’s heavyweight division.
A monster of a person at 6-foot-7, the 24-year-old Teixeira confirmed why he was such an enormous betting favourite on the night, setting the tone early with jabs and low kicks. Lopes proved sport although, attempting to tug Teixeira right into a wild brawl, however “Xicao” didn’t chunk and managed to discover a clear proper hand that floored his fellow Brazilian and moved him to 7-0 in his profession.
Bennett ekes previous Hart
Within the welterweight contest of the night, Benjamin Bennett eked out a break up determination over Joey Hart that didn’t impress Dana White sufficient to advantage a UFC contract.
With intensive expertise in boxing and kickboxing, Bennett as a substitute got here in and used his wrestling early in opposition to Hart, repeatedly scoring takedowns and neutralizing the larger fighter. Hart hung robust although and made probably the most of his moments on the ft when he may as the boys went back-and-forth for the total fifteen. Ultimately the judges awarded Bennett for his management, however White didn’t award him a UFC contract.
Gautier overwhelms Naito
Within the second battle of the night, Ateba Gautier delivered a second-round TKO over Yura Naito to punch his ticket into the UFC.
Nonetheless solely 22 years outdated, Ateba remains to be growing as a prospect and needed to battle by getting taken down within the first spherical by Naito. Nevertheless, as soon as issues restarted on the ft within the second spherical, the Cameroonian fighter’s pace and energy have been on full show, as he dropped Naito with large punches after which, after spending a while in Naito’s guard, lastly was capable of posture up and ship vicious photographs to safe the victory.
Hassanzada rallies to submit Dylan Mantello
Within the opening bout of the night, Ahmad Hassanzada scored a formidable comeback submission over Dylan Mantello, and earned his place within the UFC.
After falling brief in his first try on Contender Collection again in 2022, Hassanzada seemed like he may need once more blown his fuel tank with a torrid tempo within the first spherical, as Mantello dropped him a number of instances within the second and the Afghani fighter seemed gassed heading into the ultimate body. However one way or the other Hassanzada rallied within the third spherical, urgent the motion, scoring a takedown, after which locking on a fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Try the DWCS outcomes beneath.
Elijah Smith def. Aaron Tau by way of unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tallison Teixeira def. Arthur Lopes by way of knockout (punch) — R1, 1:57
Benjamin Bennett def. Joey Hart def. by way of break up determination (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ateba Gautier def. Yura Naito by way of TKO (punches) — R2, 4:00
Ahmad Hassanzada def. Dylan Mantello by way of submission (rear-naked choke) — R3, 2:41
