Alex Pereira’s nemesis is now within the UFC, with somewhat assist from the champ himself.
On Tuesday evening, the eighth episode of season eight of Contender Collection came about in Las Vegas on the UFC APEX, and after 5 fights, UFC CEO Dana White handed out contracts to 4 of the 5 winners.
However the greatest story of the evening was the principle occasion bout between Artem Vakhitov and Islem Masraf — and the viewers it garnered.
Vakhitov is a former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion and greatest identified for a pair of bouts with present UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. In actual fact, Vakhitov is the final man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, so with a possible UFC contract on the road, Pereira flew out to Las Vegas to sit down cageside for his battle.
That turned out to be a superb choice for each males as Vakhitov overcame a gradual begin to knock out Masraf within the first spherical. Regardless of the end, it was nonetheless and up-and-down efficiency from Vakhitov that left Dana White on the fence. Finally, White mentioned he introduced Pereira again to talk with him and it was “Poatan” who vouched for his former Glory foe, main White to supply him a UFC contract.
Steele breaks Blair
Within the penultimate battle of the night, Kody Steele lastly obtained his shot on Contender Collection and he made essentially the most of it with a brutal physique shot knockout of Chasen Blair.
Steele was presupposed to compete earlier this season on Contender Collection till his opponent withdrew from the battle moments earlier than their bout. No such factor occurred tonight although as Blair not solely made the stroll, however made Steele work for it, stuffing takedowns and touchdown good mixtures on the ft. Within the second spherical although, Steele landed a brief hook to the physique that leveled Blair and earned him a shot within the UFC.
Pinto demolishes Camacho
Within the third bout of the night, undefeated prospect Mario Pinto obliterated Luis Camacho in underneath two minutes to punch his ticket to the UFC.
Simply 26 years previous and 8-0 in his profession, Pinto was a heavy favourite over Camacho and he confirmed the composure of a fighter with many extra years of expertise, taking his time to search out the vary earlier than flooring Camacho with a brief left hook. Some follow-up punches completed the job and Pinto moved to 9-0 and into the UFC.
Dulatov ices Antunes
Within the second bout of the night, Islam Dulatov destroyed Vanilto Antunes with a brutal first-round knockout.
Dulatov entered Contender Collection as a big-time prospect and the part-time male mannequin delivered, placing it on Antunes proper from the opening bell. Antunes did his greatest handy robust however finally Dulatov discovered a house for a nasty proper elbow behind the ear that floored Antunes immediately and earned Dulatov a UFC contract.
Gauci outworks Drilich
Within the opening bout of the night, Sean Gauci defeated fellow Australian Anthony Drilich with a workmanlike efficiency.
Each Gauci and Drilich confirmed superior abilities in a nip-and-tuck battle that lasted the complete quarter-hour. Gauci was unable to attain takedowns early and Drilich made him pay with mixtures, however because the HEX Combat Collection champion started to settle in, he began touchdown good strikes of his personal and mixing in sufficient takedowns to outlast his fellow Australian fighter.
On the finish of the night, White praised each Gauci and Drilich for his or her abilities saying they’ve a shiny future however that he is not going to provide both of them a contract proper now.
Take a look at the DWCS week 9 outcomes under.
Artem Vakhitov def. Islem Masraf through TKO (punches) — R1, 4:23
Kody Steele def. Chasen Blair through TKO (punches) — R2, 4:07
Mario Pinto def. Luis Camacho through TKO (punches) — R1, 1:43
Islam Dulatov def. Vanilto Antunes through knockout (elbow) — R1, 2:44
Sean Gauci def. Anthony Drilich through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
