Four fighters will join the ranks of the UFC after the latest episode of Contender Series.
On Tuesday night, Week 5 of Season 10 of Contender Series took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas,
featuring three stoppages over five fights and one fighter who Dana White compared to Jon Jones. At the end of the night, White handed out four UFC contracts.
Quentin Pasley def. Arlind Berisha
In the main event of the evening, Quentin Pasley moved to 4-0 in his MMA career with a demolition of Arlind Berisha.
Just 24 years old, what Pasley lacks in experience, he makes up for in violence, bullying Berisha for the bulk of the fight. After scoring the takedown on Berisha, Pasley looked dominant on top, culminating in some brutal elbows that put Berisha out cold.
After the fight, Dana White was effusive in his praise for Pasley, awarding him a contract and comparing him to Jon Jones.
Isaac Moreno def. Reginaldo Junior
In the penultimate fight of the evening, Isaac Moreno outlasted Reginaldo Junior to win a unanimous decision.
An undefeated prospect entering Contender Series, Moreno had to work hard to keep that sterling record intact, as his striking game was muted at points by Junior’s tenacious grappling. Late in the fight, Junior nearly locked up some fight-ending subs, but in the end, Moreno survived and won the decision.
After the bout, Moreno announced that he and his fiancée are getting married in a few hours, and Dana White gave him a nice wedding gift, awarding him a UFC contract.
Martin Kozak def. Christian Echols
In the swing bout of the evening, Martin Kozak punched his ticket to the UFC by putting a beating on Christian Echols.
The biggest betting favorite of the night, Kozak dwarfed Echols — who missed weight by four pounds — and used his enormous size advantage to great effect, picking Echols apart at range. For a moment it looked like Echols scored a first-round finish after dropping Echols, but referee Mike Beltran correctly identified that the damaging blow was an egregious punch below the belt, leading to a break in the action. But that short reprieve was not enough, as Kozak continued to wail on Echols once the bout restarted, and in the second round, a barrage of body shots broke Echols down until he could land the finishing punch.
Apollo Gomes def. Kwon Wonil
In the second bout of the evening, Apollo Gomes and Kwon Wonil put on a barnburner of a bantamweight scrap.
Gomes came out and pressured the taller Kwon immediately, but that nearly cost him as Kwon dropped Gomes twice in the opening round, once with an uppercut and once to the body. Gomes showed his toughness by surviving, and over the final 10 minutes, the Chute Box product continued with his relentless pressure, out-landing Kwon and winning a unanimous decision. Unfortunately for Gomes, it was not enough to impress Dana White, who told him to go get some more experience and try again.
Christian Natividad def. Colton Loud
In the opening bout of the evening, Christian Natividad made quick work of Colton Loud to earn his UFC contract.
The younger brother of former UFC fighter Kevin Natividad, “The Hawaiian Punch” showed how dangerous he can be, throwing haymakers from the start and landing a pair of powerful body shots that folded Loud on the spot.
Check out the full Contender Series results below.
Quentin Pasley def. Arlind Berisha via KO (elbow) — 4:41, Round 1
Isaac Moreno def. Reginaldo Junior via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Martin Kozak def. Christian Echols via TKO (punches) — 1:32, Round 2
Apollo Gomes def. Kwon Wonil via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Christian Natividad def. Colton Loud via TKO (body punch and punches) — 1:10, Round 1
