By On Tuesday night, the second episode of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) Season 8 took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, leading to four fighters securing their place on the UFC roster. After a night filled with finishes and intense battles, Andreas Gustafsson, Rizvan Kuniev, Cortavious Romious, and Cody Haddon were all awarded UFC contracts by CEO Dana White.
Gustafsson Overpowers Pytlik with Brutal Knees
Andreas Gustafsson lived up to his promise of channeling the Viking spirit, delivering a punishing performance against Pat Pytlik. Gustafsson set a relentless pace, dominating the fight with his clinch work and takedowns. In the second round, he secured a clinch and unleashed devastating knees to Pytlik’s head, knocking him out and earning a well-deserved UFC contract.
Kuniev Stops Cunha at the Last Second
Rizvan Kuniev, making his second appearance on the Contender Series, capitalized on his opportunity by stopping Hugo Cunha in the final second of the first round. Kuniev, who was returning after a year-long suspension, displayed his improved skills by delivering a knee to the body and an elbow that crumpled Cunha. The victory secured Kuniev a UFC contract, redeeming his earlier attempt.
Romious Outworks Imperato for Decision Victory
Cortavious Romious made the most of his second chance on the Contender Series, dominating Michael Imperato in their bantamweight clash. Romious controlled the fight with aggressive boxing and effective grappling, earning a unanimous decision win. Despite some criticism from Dana White, Romious was praised as “one of the most gifted athletes” White had ever seen and was awarded a UFC contract.
Haddon Submits Brand to Secure UFC Spot
Australian prospect Cody Haddon showcased his potential by submitting Billy Brand in the first round. Haddon, known for his crisp boxing, dropped Brand with a left hook before securing a rear-naked choke to finish the fight. Dana White was quick to award Haddon his UFC contract, commending the 25-year-old for his impressive skills and promising future.
Finney Falls Short Despite Dominant Performance
Despite a dominant display of power and wrestling against Cam Rowston, Torrez Finney was unable to secure a UFC contract. Finney controlled the fight with big slams and power punches but failed to finish Rowston. Dana White acknowledged Finney’s talent but suggested he needed more experience before joining the UFC.
Overall, Week 2 of DWCS Season 8 was a night of high-stakes action, with four fighters earning the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts.
