LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 70 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The fourth week of the eighth season sees 10 fighters competing for their shots at a UFC contract. In the featured bout at welterweight, Igor Cavalcanti (9-0) takes on Seok Hyun Ko (10-2).
The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+.
Round 1 – Young throws big early in the opening fight of the show and Salkilld backs up to the fence. Salkilld lands a heavy body kick 45 seconds in, but Young stays up and soon throws a kick of his own up high. They tie up, but quickly push away and go back to striking range. Salkilld stays after the body with kicks, but it’s Young who has more forward pressure. He kicks high with the left and it’s partially blocked. Salkilld returns to a body attack with a left hook. Salkilld’s strategy seems clear with tons of work to the body. Salkilld lands a big right, then goes after a takedown. Young is back up quickly, and we’ll head to a second. MMA Junkie gives a tight round to Young.
Round 2 – Salkilld takes control in the second and gets the fight to the canvas. It looks like he has Young in trouble – and possibly tired. But Young works his way through it and back to his feet. Salkilld again goes for a takedown with two minutes left in the round, but Young shrugs it off and stays upright. He eats a punch for his troubles, then a kick a few seconds later. When Young hits Salkilld low, he shrugs off an offer to take five minutes to recover. Maybe he should have taken it – Young starts landing and gains momentum. With 75 seconds left, Salkilld starts to drop his hands and Young starts to tag him. Salkilld is getting tagged and throws a push kick, then takes Young down. It staves off Young’s offense, which at least gets him into the third. Back and forth again, but MMA Junkie gives a close nod to Salkilld.
Round 3 – Salkilld lands a nice combo to open the final round. He wants a takedown, but Young fights through it. They tie up some more, and eventually, midway through, Salkilld lands his fifth takedown of the fight, and it’s a fairly dramatic one. Young gets back up and Salkilld stings him with a front kick to the face. But Young comes forward and lands combos and makes things interesting. They trade in tight, and Young shoots for a takedown with 90 seconds left. Salkilld gets the fight back down and goes for a finish late with punches and a submission attempt. The lightweights put on a great show. MMA Junkie scores the last for Salkilld, 10-9, and the fight for him 29-28, but we could see any combination of scores.
Result: Quillan Salkilld def. Gauge Young via. unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Salkilld (7-1), Young (8-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
