Dana White’s Contender Series returned with explosive action in Las Vegas. Five fighters walked away with UFC contracts after a night filled with knockouts and decisive finishes.
A stage built for opportunity
Since its launch in 2017, the series has produced dozens of UFC athletes. Some went on to win championships. Fighters call it “the ultimate job interview.” Each week, five bouts give prospects the chance to impress UFC president Dana White.
In 2024, 42 contracts were handed out across ten events, slightly fewer than the 46 awarded in 2023. This week’s third episode of season nine continued the tradition as five hopefuls earned their spot on the roster.
Donte Johnson makes an early statement
Donte Johnson set the tone in the opening fight against Darion Abbey. He came forward aggressively, landing heavy punches. A furious combination forced the referee to intervene just past the one-minute mark.
Sousa overcomes adversity against Perez
Cristian Perez controlled early with grappling, threatening both a choke and a leg lock. Manoel Sousa survived, showed patience, and bided his time. As Perez tired, Sousa reversed the momentum.
In round three, Sousa stuffed takedowns and forced a striking battle. His relentless pressure paid off when a barrage of punches secured a TKO victory.
Yakhyaev stuns with lightning-fast finish
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev needed only half a minute to defeat Alik Lorenz. After a low kick, he surged forward with a knee and rapid punches. Lorenz collapsed against the cage as the fight ended instantly.
Barbosa drops Wilson with power
Marcio Barbosa scored his own highlight reel knockout. A right hand sent Damon Wilson crashing to the floor. Wilson rose quickly, but Barbosa attacked again with precision. The referee stopped the bout after another wave of power shots.
Gandra closes the night with authority
Ryan Gandra faced late replacement Trent Miller in the main event. Gandra pressed forward from the start, unloading heavy strikes. Within seconds, Miller looked overwhelmed. A final right hand sealed the knockout in round one.
Five new contracts secured
For the second week in a row, every winner received a UFC deal. The successful fighters were:
- Donte Johnson vs. Darion Abbey
- Manoel Sousa vs. Cristian Perez
- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Alik Lorenz
- Marcio Barbosa vs. Damon Wilson
- Ryan Gandra vs. Trent Miller
