After one other evening of thrilling fights, the UFC has 4 new fighters becoming a member of its ranks, together with a couple of others receiving particular consideration.
On Tuesday evening, the third episode of season eight of Contender Collection happened in Las Vegas on the UFC APEX and after 5 fights, UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to Andrey Pulyaev, Bogdan Grad, Marco Tulio, and Malcolm Wellmaker. That wasn’t all although.
Regardless of dropping to Grad, White gave Michael Aswell a particular shoutout as somebody who will obtain a name for any future short-notice alternatives, and he additionally received artistic with the controversial choice within the opening matchup between Jack Duffy and Nick Piccininni, suggesting a rebooking of the battle for later this season.
Pulyaev battles previous Anderson
Andrey Pulyaev fought for the primary time outdoors of Russia on Tuesday and it seems that the Vegas air agrees with him as a result of the 26-year-old placed on the most effective efficiency of his profession when he outlasted Liam Anderson in the primary occasion.
Pulyaev confirmed extraordinarily efficient kickboxing proper from the soar, tagging Anderson with each kicks and jabs at vary, after which touchdown nasty hooks when Anderson got here inside. Because the battle dragged on, Anderson was in a position to rating some takedowns to battle again, however Pulyaev was equal to the grappling and finally received a unanimous choice and earned a UFC contract.
Grad goes to conflict with Aswell
After falling brief towards Tom Nolan final 12 months in Contender Collection, Bogdan Grad made probably the most of his second likelihood, placing on among the finest fights in Contender Collection historical past with Michael Aswell.
Grad and Aswell went toe-to-toe in a battle of wills, with Aswell’s straight boxing taking part in an ideal foil to Grad’s aggression and energy punches. After quarter-hour, each males had been bloodied and overwhelmed, and Grad eked out a break up choice. Actually although, there have been no losers on this battle as afterward, Dana White introduced that for his or her unbelievable scrap, each fighters could be paid their present and win purses, together with a particular battle bonus and a UFC contract for Grad, and Aswell wasn’t disregarded within the chilly as Dana White stated he could be the primary name if somebody falls out of any upcoming fights.
Tulio spins to victory over Duclos
In 2023, Marco Tulio made his Contender Collection debut and picked up a win by unanimous choice, plus an edict from Dana White to exit and get higher. On Tuesday, Tulio confirmed he did that simply, ending Matthieu Duclos with a nasty spinning again kick and punches.
Tulio got here out aggressive early however Duclos proved equal to it early, battling again in a aggressive spherical. However within the second, Tulio stored the stress on and landed one of the brutal spinning kicks you’ll ever see to the liver, instantly incapacitating Duclos. A couple of follow-up punches sealed the deal and received Tulio his shot within the UFC.
Wellmaker flatlines Bramhald
Malcolm Wellmaker promised a first-round starching, and he delivered simply that, icing Adam Bramhald in below three minutes.
The undefeated prospect out of Augusta, GA got here out and put it on Adam Bramhald with low kicks and a quick jab. Because of this, Bramhald received a bit reckless to shut the space and when he did, Wellmaker slept him proper a devastating proper hand counter that left little question as as to if or not he would get a contract from the UFC.
Piccininni outlasts Duffy
A 3-time NCAA Division 1 All-American in wrestling, Nick Piccininni got here in to Contender Collection with excessive expectations given his pedigree, however he had his palms full, grinding out a break up choice win.
Regardless of being a giant underdog, Jack Duffy got here out firing towards Piccininni with low kicks and a brilliant energetic guard when Piccininni did go to the wrestling. However after a tricky opening spherical, Piccininni managed to have extra success with the grappling, scoring takedowns and attending to the again repeatedly. Ultimately, the judges gave Piccininni the choice, however Dana White didn’t agree, so as a substitute of providing any contracts, he supplied to run this battle again on episode 10 of this season, if each fighters agree.
Try the DWCS outcomes under.
Andrey Pulyaev def. Liam Anderson through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bogdan Grad def. Michael Aswell through break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Marco Tulio def. Matthieu Duclos through TKO (spinning again kick and punches) — Spherical 2, 2:38
Malcolm Wellmaker def. Adam Bramhald through knockout — Spherical 1, 2:29
Nick Piccininni def. Jack Duffy through break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
