The Violence and Excitement of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9
Season 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series may have started off slow, but it has quickly become one of the most violent and thrilling seasons in the history of the show. On Tuesday night, Week 8 of the Contender Series took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, bringing another night of brutal action with four finishes in five fights, pushing the season’s total to 28 finishes in 40 fights. This week, all four fighters who secured finishes were awarded UFC contracts, while the lone winner, who secured a decision, was given a message to come back and try again in the future.
Damian Pinas: The Aruban Powerhouse
In the main event, Damian Pinas, an Aruba native, made a statement that will be hard to forget. Despite having only four years of training in MMA, Pinas, at just 23 years old, showcased a level of skill and composure that belied his inexperience. Vitor Costa, known for his movement and pressure, was no match for Pinas. In a textbook display of precision striking, Pinas landed a powerful 1-2 combination that sent Costa crashing to the canvas. The sheer authority with which Pinas executed his takedown and the subsequent ground-and-pound left no doubt that he was worthy of a UFC contract. Dana White, recognizing the potential and power Pinas displayed, was quick to offer him a spot in the UFC, solidifying Pinas’s future in the top ranks of MMA.
Louis Jourdain: A Family Legacy Continues
The co-main event saw Louis Jourdain, the younger brother of UFC veteran Charles Jourdain, display a well-rounded skillset that earned him a spot in the UFC. Jourdain, a product of the Fighting Nerds, dominated his opponent, Magno Dias, with superior striking and grappling. Despite some early ground control by Dias, Jourdain managed to shift the momentum in his favor. In the third round, he secured the back and locked in a rear-naked choke, ending the fight in dramatic fashion. Jourdain’s performance, which mirrored the skill and tenacity of his brother, earned him a UFC contract, continuing the Jourdain family’s legacy in the sport.
Christopher Alvidrez: The High School Running Back Turned MMA Star
Christopher Alvidrez, a former standout high school running back, made quite the impression in his feature bout against Eliezer Kubanza. Alvidrez brought a similar level of physicality and pressure to his MMA debut, setting the tone from the opening bell. Despite Kubanza’s initial success in controlling range, Alvidrez’s powerful hooks found their mark, badly hurting Kubanza. Alvidrez capitalized on the opportunity, landing a series of devastating punches that led to a TKO in the first round. His explosive and relentless style, reminiscent of his gridiron days, earned him a UFC contract, signaling a promising future in the octagon.
Kurtis Campbell: The Young Bantamweight Sensation
In the second bout of the evening, Kurtis Campbell, a 23-year-old bantamweight, blew the doors off his opponent, Demba Seck. Despite being a heavy betting favorite, Campbell lived up to the expectations, demonstrating why he was so highly regarded. He quickly took Seck down and maintained control, landing a brutal knee that sent Seck back to the canvas. The follow-up ground-and-pound was enough to force the referee, Herb Dean, to intervene, ending the fight in just under 90 seconds. Campbell’s dominant performance earned him a UFC contract, cementing his status as a rising star in the bantamweight division.
Rashid Vagabov: A Solid Performance with a Future to Look Forward To
The opening bout of the evening saw Rashid Vagabov, a massive betting favorite, control Paulo Henrique for three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. Vagabov’s superior striking and takedown control were evident throughout the fight, as he consistently landed powerful strikes and dominated on the ground. While Henrique showed good takedown defense, Vagabov’s overall control and offensive pressure were too much for his opponent to handle. Despite sweeping the judges’ scorecards, Vagabov’s performance did not quite make the impression needed to secure an immediate UFC contract. However, Dana White encouraged Vagabov to return to the gym and come back in the future, recognizing his talent and potential for growth.
Full Results and What’s Next
The night’s full results are as follows:
- Damian Pinas def. Vitor Costa via KO (punch) — 1:46, Round 1.
- Louis Jourdain def. Magno Dias via submission (rear-naked choke) — 0:39, Round 3.
- Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza via TKO (punches) — 4:44, Round 1.
- Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck via TKO (knee and punches) — 1:20, Round 1.
- Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo Henrique via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
As the Contender Series continues, the level of competition and excitement shows no signs of slowing down. Fans can look forward to more thrilling performances and potential new stars joining the UFC ranks in the coming weeks.
