A little bit of UFC historical past was made as 4 extra fighters earned their method into the UFC on the most recent episode of Contender Collection
On Tuesday night time, 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 into 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 powerful last 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” regarded nice early, doing nearly something he wished towards the 31-year-old Metropolis Kickboxing product. However within the third spherical, Smith — who took the struggle on quick discover — started to fade and Tau turned it on, leading to a knockdown canine struggle as Smith refused to again down regardless of tiring. In the long run, Tau gained the third spherical battle however misplaced the warfare as Smith took dwelling the choice win and the spot within the UFC.
Teixeira crumbles Lopes
Within the penultimate struggle of the night, Tallison Teixeira did what he was speculated 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 a giant betting favourite on the night, setting the tone early with jabs and low kicks. Lopes proved recreation although, making an attempt to tug Teixeira right into a wild brawl, however “Xicao” didn’t chew 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 cut up determination over Joey Hart that didn’t impress Dana White sufficient to benefit a UFC contract.
With in depth expertise in boxing and kickboxing, Bennett as a substitute got here in and used his wrestling early towards Hart, repeatedly scoring takedowns and neutralizing the larger fighter. Hart hung powerful although and made essentially the most of his moments on the ft when he may as the lads went back-and-forth for the complete fifteen. In the long run the judges awarded Bennett for his management, however White didn’t award him a UFC contract.
Gautier overwhelms Naito
Within the second struggle of the night, Ateba Gautier delivered a second-round TKO over Yura Naito to punch his ticket into the UFC.
Nonetheless solely 22 years previous, Ateba continues to be growing as a prospect and needed to battle by means of getting taken down within the first spherical by Naito. Nonetheless, as soon as issues restarted on the ft within the second spherical, the Cameroonian fighter’s velocity and energy had 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 pictures to safe the victory.
Hassanzada rallies to submit Dylan Mantello
Within the opening bout of the night, Ahmad Hassanzada scored a powerful comeback submission over Dylan Mantello, and earned his place within the UFC.
After falling quick in his first try on Contender Collection again in 2022, Hassanzada regarded like he might 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 regarded gassed heading into the ultimate body. However someway Hassanzada rallied within the third spherical, urgent the motion, scoring a takedown, after which locking on a fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Take a look at the DWCS outcomes beneath.
Elijah Smith def. Aaron Tau through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tallison Teixeira def. Arthur Lopes through knockout (punch) — R1, 1:57
Benjamin Bennett def. Joey Hart def. through cut up determination (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ateba Gautier def. Yura Naito through TKO (punches) — R2, 4:00
Ahmad Hassanzada def. Dylan Mantello through submission (rear-naked choke) — R3, 2:41
