The Body Lock is here to bring you results and highlights from the opening week of Dana White’s Contender Series’ third season.
Who won the contracts?
- Yorgan De Castro
- Punahele Soriano
Yorgan De Castro’s TKO win over Alton Meeks was the only stoppage of the night and that was clearly enough to impress Dana White who has repeatedly mentioned that he is “looking for killers.”
He was also pleased with Punahele Soriano’s mentality, as he was swinging heavy shots in the first round to try and get the stoppage win. Although Soriano slowed as the fight progressed, White was happy with the way Soriano kept fighting to win the last round.
Many fans and media predicted that Brendan Loughnane would earn a contract after his unanimous decision win. However, White criticized Loughnane for going after a double-leg takedown with only ten seconds remaining in the fight and he missed out on a UFC contract.
Gotta feel for Loughnane here. He fought his ass off. If he went for strikes at the end of the RDs over the TD attempt, I would imagine he walks away with a contract tn. Tough break. #DWCS @espnmma @ufc
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 19, 2019
This is really absurd. The most UFC caliber fighter put on a dominant exciting performance and it was all wiped out by a single takedown? Horrible start to Contender Series.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 19, 2019
Dana White’s Contender Series Results
Punahele Soriano def. Jamie Pickett unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Punahele Soriano was hunting for an early stoppage victory here at the Contender Series. Soriano packed plenty of power into his punches and continually advanced toward Pickett in the opening rounds. He displayed great explosiveness and athleticism but was unable to get the stoppage victory that he desired.
The Hawaiian is not looking to go the distance tonight! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/scyo76fJm2
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2019
Hannah Goldy Win def. Kali Robbins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Hannah Goldy kept her undefeated record intact with a unanimous decision win over Kali Robbins. Goldy controlled the flow of the fight from start to finish and influenced the scorecards with active striking when breaking from the clinch.
Robbins isn’t cutting off the octagon at all. It’s limiting her chances of landing anything of real significance while Goldy is on her “bike”. Unless action picks up, I can’t see either woman picking up a contract. There really isn’t much happening. #DWCS @espnmma @ufc
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 19, 2019
Brendan Loughnane def. Bill Algeo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Brendan Loughnane remained strong through three rounds to defeat Bill Algeo via unanimous decision. Loughnane’s boxing was the difference in this fight and he used his speed and timing advantages to repeatedly hammer home straight punches.
Loughnane with the quick 1-2! 👊#DWCS pic.twitter.com/paQWgg4fGv
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2019
Great fight there. Both those guys deserve to be in the ufc, Brendan wanted it just a little more in my opinion #DWTNCS
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 19, 2019
Yorgan De Castro def. Alton Meeks via TKO (leg kick and punches) – R1, 4:45
Yorgan De Castro impressed with a first-round finish of Alton Meeks. De Castro removed himself from the dangers of Meeks’ wrestling and landed flying knee attempts and several heavy leg kicks to eventually overwhelm Meeks near the end of the opening frame.
Leg kick KO?!
De Castro gets the first round finish to kickoff #DWCS! https://t.co/G5rZYRYp73 pic.twitter.com/QmgFj5AOpH
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2019