UFC 2024 - THE TKO ERA

[Shade]

DANA WHITE'S CONTENDER SERIES WEEK SIX​

Featherweight Bout: Alexander Loof (5-1) vs. Michael Trizano (10-3)
The opening bout on the contender series week six would see Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Trizano look to make a return to the UFC as he takes on Swedish Striker Alexander Loof. This bout however would be very much dominated by the striker Loof who was able to not only keep the bout standing but also pick Trizano apart with strikes on the way to a unanimous decision.
Result: Alexander Loof by unanimous decision

Bantamweight Bout: Rico DiSciullo (11-2) vs. Mateus Soares (7-1)
Another Ultimate Fighter alumni would look to make a return as Rico DiSciullo battled LFA standout Mateus Soares. This bout would very much be a dominant showing for Soares and his heavy hands as he hurt Rico several times in the opening round before finally managing to put him away in the second with a series of hooks.
Result: Mateus Soares by 2nd round knockout

Middleweight Bout: Eslam Abdul Baset (15-2) vs. Vladimir Mineev (16-1-1)
MMA fighter and kickboxer Vladimir Mineev was in action in the next contest against Egypt's Eslam Abdul Baset. This would be a one round clash of two stories as in the early going Mineev was able to pick off Baset. But as the bout wore on Eslam would manage to land a takedown on Mineev before landing several elbows for a debatable TKO finish.
Result: Eslam Abdul Baset by 1st round TKO

Women's Strawweight Bout: Jacinta Austin (6-2) vs. Valesca Machado (13-4)
Invicta veteran and former contender series alumni Valesca Machado looked to redeem herself in the next bout as she took on Oktagon standout Jacinta Austin. This bout however would be a dominant showing for Austin and her ground game as she took Machado down at will and controlled her for the decision.
Result: Jacinta Austin by unanimous decision

Women's Flyweight Bout: DeAnna Bennett (13-8-1) vs. Maritza Sanchez (6-1)
Another Ultimate fighter alumni and Bellator veteran DeAnna Bennett looked to make a return in the next bout as she took on Combate prospect Maritza Sanchez. This would be a back and forth contest as Bennett and the Alpha Male prospect Sanchez battled it out on the feet and on the mat enroute to a split decision win for Sanchez.
Result: Maritza Sanchez by Split Decision

Lightweight Bout: Daniel James Allen (5-0) vs. Nathan Jones (14-12)
Making his return to the contender series would be undefeated prospect Daniel James Allen. The all american wrestler would put in a solid account for himself against the experienced Nathan Jones. As not only did Allen manage to dominate the action on the ground but he also picked him off on the feet on the way to a unanimous decision.
Result: Daniel James Allen by unanimous decision

Lightweight Bout: Mathieu Chaumont (7-3) vs. Axel Sola (7-0)
The final bout of the night would be a clash of countrymen as Mathieu Chaumont battled Axel Sola. This would be an all striking affair in the first round until Sola rocked Chaumont with a left hook. From here a straight right followed and this would put Chaumont down for a KO finish.
Result: Axel Sola by 1st round knockout

Dana's Verdict
Alexander Loof - While the bout may not have provided the finish, Dana couldn't help but praise Loof's striking display in this bout and made it clear he wanted to see more which is why he would be joining the UFC.

Mateus Soares - Calling this a no brainer. Dana welcomed Soares to the UFC.

Eslam Abdul Baset - Admitting that he wasn't overly impressed with Baset despite the finish. Dana said Mick and Sean both wanted him and for that he will be in the UFC.

Jacinta Austin - Again not sure because of the decision. Dana credited Jacinta for beating a tough girl and elected to sign her.

DeAnna Bennett - Impressed with her skills and abilities. Dana made it clear that DeAnna would be receiving a call soon.

Maritza Sanchez - After praising the fight. Dana elected to sign Sanchez.

Daniel James Allen - While still questioning Allen's overall readiness. Dana agreed to give him a shot.

Axel Sola - Branding this a no brainer. Dana signed Sola

 

[Shade]

DANA WHITE'S CONTENDER SERIES WEEK 7​

Bantamweight Bout: Cameron Smotherman (9-4) vs. Josh Rettinghouse (18-5)
opening this week's Contender series would be the return of Cameron Smotherman to the Series itself. Hoping to redeem himself this week, Smotherman faced a tough out in King of the cage and M1 Veteran Josh Rettinghouse. Despite Smotherman's attempt to get this fight to the ground, Rettinghouse was able to land some big punches for an early first round knockout.
Result: Josh Rettinghouse by 1st round knockout

Featherweight Bout: Dylan Salvador (6-2) vs. Jordan Vucenic (12-2)
The next bout of the night would see French striker Dylan Salvador in action against Cage Warriors champion Jordan Vucenic. This would be a back and forth battle between both European standouts. While Salvador seemed to have a slight edge on the feet, Vucenic definitely got the better of things on the ground. After three rounds of action it would be Vucenic who was awarded the decision.
Result: Jordan Vucenic by unanimous decision

Welterweight Bout: Joilton Santos Lutterbach (38-10) vs. Ding Meng (34-8)
Two experienced veterans did battle in the next bout as KSW veteran Loilton Lutterbach battled Ding Meng. This would be a very technical and skilled bout which in many ways was akin to a chess match. With both men showing a lot of technique and skill through the three rounds, the finish was sudden and brutal as a standing elbow in the third from Meng dropped Joilton and allowed him to follow up with more strikes.
Result: Ding Meng by 3rd round TKO

Middleweight Bout: Mikhail Ragozin (22-6) vs. Kerim Engizek (20-4)
The next bout of the evening would be in the middleweight division as we saw M1 veteran Mikhail Rogozin take on Oktagon standout Kerim Engizek. This bout would very much be a showcase for the German Engizek who would rock Ragozin several times in the opening round before finally picking up the knockout in the second with a left hook.
Result: Kerim Engizek by 2nd round KO

Heavyweight Bout: Stuart Austin (18-8) vs. Shota Betlemidze (22-2-1)
English Heavyweight and Bellator/PFL veteran Stuart Austin would step into the cage next against Rizin veteran Shota Betlemidze. This bout would shockingly prove to be one of the fastest finishes in the contender series history as Shota blasted Austin in the openin seconds with a straight right and several follow up punches for the knockout.
Result: Shota Betlemidze by 1st round knockout

Women's Flyweight Bout: Denise Kielholtz (8-5) vs. Jady Larissa Menezes (4-1)
The semi final bout of the night would see Bellator veteran and kickboxer Denise Kielholtz take on Glory kickboxer Jady Larissa Menezes. This bout would very much be a straight kickboxing bout with Kielholtz and Jady keeping the fight standing with one another the entire time. After three rounds of competitive action it would be Jady who was awarded the decision.
Result: Jady Larissa Menezes by split decision

Lightweight Bout: Dan Moret (16-8) vs. Mansher Khera (7-0)
The main event of the evening would see UFC and Bellator veteran Dan Moret vying for a octagon return as he took on unbeaten standout Mansher Khera. Unfortunately for Moret this bout would very much be a showcase for the grappling and top game of Khera who controlled Moret for the entire first round before securing a rear naked choke in the second.
Result: Mansher Khera by 2nd round submission

Dana White's Verdict
Josh Rettinghouse - Branding this a now or never situation, Dana White welcomed Josh to the UFC.

Jordan Vucenic - Impressed with Vucenic's grit and toughness. Dana would sign Jordan to a contract.

Ding Meng - Again branding this a now or never situation. Dana officially signed Ding Meng to the UFC.

Kerim Engizek - Calling him a true standout of the night. Dana called this signing a no brainer.

Shota Betlemidze - Hesitant about Shota's age. Dana said based on that finish alone he would give him a shot.

Denise Kielholtz - Despite her loss, Dana was thoroughly impressed with Kielholtz and said they would be offering her a fight.

Jady Menezes - Highly impressed. Dana would offer Jady a contract.

Mansher Khera - Impressed with his win, Dana would sign Mansher to a contract

 

[Shade]

DANA WHITE'S CONTENDER SERIES WEEK 8​

Featherweight Bout: Kurtis Campbell (4-0) vs. Richie Smullen (12-3-1)
Ultimate fighter veteran Richie Smullen stepped into the cage in the next bout of the evening as he took on undefeated prospect Kurtis Campbell. This contest would prove to be quite a back and forth battle with Campbell being the more refined technical striker while Smullen showed his heart and kept things scrappy. After three rounds Campbell would be awarded a decision.
Result: Kurtis Campbell by split decision

Heavyweight Bout: Roman Lukashevich (6-0) vs. Evan Nedd (14-8)
Veteran Evan Nedd took on ONE FC and ACA veteran Roman Lukashevich. This bout was very much a dominant one sided showing for Roman as he'd not only dominate the fight on the ground but also hurt Nedd several times on the feet. Following a big slam in the second round, Roman landed several punches for a stoppage.
Result: Roman Lukashevich by 2nd round TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout: Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev (4-0) vs. Billy Elekana (6-1)
LFA and PFL standout Billy Elekana took on unbeaten ACA veteran Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev. This would sadly be an uninspired affair which Yakhyaev took Elekana down repeatedly and maintained top position. This would be until the third round where he secured a rear naked choke.
Result: Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev by 3rd round submission

Middleweight Bout: Sergei Martynov (17-5) vs. Jered Gwerder (7-4)
ACB veteran Sergei Martynov would step into the cage against Bellator and LFA veteran Jered Gwerder. This bout would very much see Sergei control and dominate the fight on the feet throughout the first two rounds. In the third round Martynov managed to drop Jered with a left hook an followed with several punches for a knockout.
Result: Sergei Martynov by 3rd round Knockout

Women's Flyweight Bout: Jennifer Gonzalez (14-5) vs. Poliana Botelho (9-5)
UFC veteran Poliana Botelho stepped into the cage in the next bout of the night against SFL veteran Jennifer Gonzalez. This bout sadly wouldn't be a homecoming for Botelho but instead a dominant showing for Jennifer who controlled Poliana on the ground before securing an armbar in the second for the victory.
Result: Jennifer Gonzalez by 2nd round submission

Middleweight Bout: Ryder Newman (6-1) vs. Valery Myasnikov (17-3-2)
Looking for another shot at the UFC, Ultimate fighter alumni Ryder Newman took on the highly regarded M1 and ACA standout Valery Myasnikov in the next bout of the evening. This bout sadly wouldn't last long for Newman who was hurt in the early going by Myasnikov who never let him off the hook and landed a flurry of punches for a knockout.
Result: Valery Myasnikov by 1st round Knockout

Welterweight Bout: Cezary Oleksiejczuk (13-3) vs. Isaac Moreno (6-0)
Looking to join his brother Michal in the UFC, Cezark Oleksiejczuk found himself facing Isaac Moreno in what proved very much to be a striker vs grappler clash. This contest would very much be dominated and ruled by the takedowns and grappling of Moreno who stifled Cezary for a decision.
Result: Isaac Moreno by unanimous decision

Dana White's Comments
Kurtis Campbell - While impressed with his technique, Dana felt that it was perhaps a little too soon for Campbell. So he passed on signing him.

Roman Lukashevich - Citing the need for quality Heavyweights. Dana welcomed Roman to the UFC.

Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev - Despite being impressed with his grappling, Dana passed on Abdulrakhman believing him to be one dimensional.

Sergei Martynov - Despite not being completely impressed. Dana would offer Martynov a contract.

Jennifer Gonzalez - Highly impressed with her record and beating a UFC veteran. Dana welcomed Gonzalez to the UFC.

Valery Myasnikov - Highly impressed with Myasnikov. Dana signed him to the UFC.

Isaac Moreno - Again citing his one dimensional approach tonight. Dana passed for now on Moreno