Yet another week of Contender Series where history was made.
On Tuesday night, Week 8 of Season 10 of Contender Series took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and things got off to a rocky start as, about an hour before the fights started, the opening featherweight bout between Ilias Bulaid and Erick Visconde was pulled from the card due to an illness to Bulaid. That fight was rebooked to Week 10 of the show, and so the event went forward with only four fights, but those eight fighters knew the job, delivering four wild finishes that earned each of the winners a UFC contract and delivered a Contender Series first.
George Staines def. Loai Abushaar
In the main event of the evening, George Staines scored the first slam knockout in Contender Series history, finishing Loai Abushaar in the first round.
Staines hails from the same fight team as Paddy Pimblett, and “Saint” made his teammate proud, coming out aggressively against Abushaar with pressure before locking up a body lock. As Abushaar tried to defend, Staines picked him back up and, with Abushaar’s arm pinned, slammed him down to the mat, knocking Abushaar out. A few follow-up punches followed before the referee intervened, awarding Staines the win and the contract.
Adama Diop def. Zaurbek Sabanov
In the penultimate fight of the evening, Adama Diop and Zaurbek Sabanov put on a good, old-fashioned slobberknocker, with Diop finishing Sabanov in the second round to earn his spot in the UFC.
Diop entered the octagon with the hopes of Senegal behind him, and the EFC champion fought like that, showing more heart than technical ability. But his relentless pressure and sneaky wrestling game wore down Sabanov early, allowing Diop to take over in the second round and earn a standing TKO.
During the contract announcement, UFC CEO Dana White dragged Diop, saying that was a terrible fight and he looked terrible, before telling him he was giving him a chance regardless.
Ian Escuza def. Luca Borando
In the second bout of the evening. Ian Escuza kept his first-round finish streak alive, though things very nearly went wrong for him.
In Escuza’s seven-fight MMA career, he’s never seen the second round, and against Luca Borando, he didn’t even see the second minute, finishing the fight in just 32 seconds with a barrage of knees from the clinch. However, the final knee Escuza landed before referee Herb Dean jumped in was clearly illegal, as Borando had dropped a knee to the ground. After consulting with the other ringside officials, Dean determined the illegal strike was incidental to the finish, and left the bout as a win for Escuza.
At the contract announcement, White said he disagreed with the decision to award Escuza the win and was inclined not to sign him, before Sean Shelby argued for the Peruvian fighter, giving him the contract.
Aieza Bertolso def. Camila Reynoso
In the opening bout of the evening, Aieza Bertolso showed why many fans believed she should have been signed straight to the UFC, finishing Camila Reynoso with ease in the first round, earning her UFC contract.
Entering the bout as the LFA strawweight champion, Bertolso proved to be as good as her fans say, quickly securing a takedown and controlling Reynoso on the ground before locking up a D’Arce choke. Reynoso did her best to fight it off, but once Bertolso jumped guard and locked on a body triangle, the Argentinian fighter had little choice but to tap.
Check out the full Contender Series results below.
Main card
George Staines def. Loai Abushaar via TKO (slam) — 1:01, Round 1
Adama Diop def. Zaurbek Sabanov via TKO (punches) — 2:13, Round 2
Ian Escuza def. Luca Borando via TKO (knees) — 0:32, Round 1
Aieza Bertolso def. Camila Reynoso via submission (inverted D’Arce choke) — 3:02, Round 1
