Season 7, week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series unfolded last night with three new fighters making their dreams come true. Here’s what took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Dana White’s Contender Series: Luis Pajuelo (8-1) vs Robbie Ring (6-0)
In the first fight of the evening, Peru’s Luis Pajuelo defeated Robbie Ring via Round 1 TKO.
He finished the fight with a knee to the body during ground and pound followed by a flurry of strikes. Pajuelo showed consistent pace and pressure while also displaying exceptional durability. He threw a couple of thudding leg kicks and mixed in body shots well. He showed an ability to get to the fence and work his way up when he was taken down by Ring. Then when he was able to reverse position he capitalized.
Overall it was an impressive performance from Luis Pajuelo. He has all the makings to be an exciting fighter in the UFC. It would be wise for the UFC to match him up with a well-rounded veteran for his debut.
Fighters like Charles Rosa or Austin Lingo would be a great first step. If the UFC wants to match him up with another young prospect Blake Bilder or Francis Marshall could make a lot of sense as well. Dana White was impressed with the “Savage” performance by Luis Pajuelo and rewarded him with a contract.
Oban Elliott (9-2) vs Kaik Brito (16-5)
The co-main event of the evening was between Welsh prospect Oban Elliott and Brazil’s Kaik Brito.
The Shore MMA fighter was a back-and-forth brawl that had everything you could ask for out of a fight. In the first round, Elliott showcased his excellent technique and range management skills that are necessary at the next level. Brito did not go down without a fight however, rocking Elliott in the 2nd round and throwing up two submission attempts that Elliott was able to escape.
With both fighters out of fuel in the last round, it was a battle of will, and it was Elliott who persevered. He dominated the last round of the fight, staying out of danger and unleashing offense on the ground to finish the fight. With this showing of grit and determination, Oban Elliott left Dana White no choice but to award him a contract. With the contract, Elliott promises to finish his opponent in his UFC debut.
Zach Reese (7-0) vs Eli Aronov (6-1)
The main event featured 2 undefeated middleweights, Zach Reese and Eli Aronov.
The prospects have a combined 67% finish rate and as that would indicate, this fight did not last long. The two traded some low kicks, and a few boxing combinations, Reese threw a kick that was caught by Aronov and that was the beginning of the end. Aronov gained side control, Reese quickly regained his guard and followed that up with an armbar finish just 74 seconds into the fight.
With a quick win from an undefeated fighter, there was no question Dana was going to give him a contract. The questions begin with who do you match him up with? Reese has intangibles that will give a lot of fighters problems, and a lethal ground game that only makes him scarier for potential matchups.
A debut against the likes of Josh Fremd who has a serviceable ground game and a similar frame would be interesting. We need to see Reese be extended longer than 90 seconds which has only happened once in his career.
Who stood out to you on last nights episode of Dana White’s Contender Series?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
