Read about the latest contracts awarded and thrilling fights from the UFC’s Contender Series. Find out which fighters secured UFC deals and the highlights of their performances.
The UFC’s Contender Series continues to deliver thrilling fights and contract opportunities for up-and-coming fighters. On Tuesday’s event at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, UFC president Dana White awarded contracts to three out of the four winning fighters, bringing the total number of contracts awarded this season to 13 out of 14 winners.
In the featured bout of the evening, middleweight Zach Reese (6-0) impressed with a quick victory over Eli Aronov (6-1). Reese secured a slick armbar submission just 74 seconds into the fight, handing Aronov his first professional loss and earning himself a UFC deal. Reese expressed his excitement about making his UFC debut and promised to bring an entertaining fighting style to the octagon.
Another standout fight of the night came from welterweight prospect Oban Elliott (9-2) from Wales. Elliott faced a tough challenge in Kaik Brito (16-5) but managed to secure a victory and a UFC contract. After dominating the first round with body kicks and ground work, Elliott found himself in trouble in the second round when Brito nearly caught him in a standing guillotine and landed a series of powerful shots. However, Elliott showed resilience and survived the round. In the final frame, Elliott unleashed a barrage of grounded elbows, earning him a majority decision victory.
The opening bout of the evening featured featherweight Luis Pajuelo (8-1) from Peru, who bulldozed through Robbie Ring (6-1) to become the second Peruvian fighter to earn a UFC contract in the past three weeks. Pajuelo showcased his boxing skills and finished the fight with a TKO stoppage in the first round.
The only fighter who did not receive a UFC contract despite a victory was strawweight prospect Josefine Knutsson (6-0) from Sweden. Knutsson dominated her bout against Isis Verbeek (4-2) with a variety of strikes and impressive technique, but UFC president Dana White cited her lack of finishing instincts as the reason for not adding her to the UFC roster.
Here are the complete results from DWCS Season 7, Week 3:
| Fighters | Result |
|---|---|
| Zach Reese def. Eli Aronov | Submission (armbar) at 1:14 of Round 1 |
| Oban Elliott def. Kaik Brito | Majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28) |
| Josefine Knutsson def. Isis Verbeek | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) |
| Luis Pajuelo def. Robbie Ring | TKO (knee to the body and punches) at 3:43 of Round 1 |
The UFC’s Contender Series continues to provide a platform for talented fighters to showcase their skills and earn a spot in the prestigious UFC roster. With 13 contracts awarded this season, fans can expect more exciting fights and rising stars in the future.
