Torrez Finney finally earned his spot in the UFC.
On Tuesday night, the eighth episode of season eight of Contender Series took place in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX, and after five fights, UFC CEO Dana White handed out contracts to all five winners.
The most notable of the contracts was Finney who already won twice on Contender Series before Tuesday, including a decision win earlier this season. After that win, White ripped Finner for his performance and told him to come back. That turned out to be the motivation Finney needed as he became the first fighter to ever win three ties on the show and finally made his way to the UFC.
Nurgozhay sleeps Szewczyk
In the main event of the evening, Diyar Nurgozhay moved to 10-0 in his career, starching Bartosz Szewczyk with a head kick to earn his shot in the UFC.
Yet another fighter coming from the emerging MMA superpower of Kazakhstan, Nurgozhay entered Contender Series with big hype and for awhile, it looked like he might not live up to up. But after a controlled first round where Nurgozhay found his range, in the second the 27-year-old fighter delivered a thunderous head kick that immediately floored Szewczyk and landed the undefeated fighter in the UFC.
BRUTAL HEAD KICK KO BY DIYAR NURGOZHAY #DWCS pic.twitter.com/HM2xHGHZ4p
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 2, 2024
Montes submits Calderon
In the penultimate fight of the evening, Alberto Montes scored his fourth submission in a row, locking up an anaconda choke on Carlos Calderon to earn his spot in the UFC.
Originally set to compete on Contender Series years ago, Montes finally got his shot on Tuesday and he made the most of it, showing off crisp counter-boxing against the frenetic offense of Calderon. But it was Montes’s grappling which really stood out as he repeatedly dove for D’Arce chokes, anacondas, and even a Peruvian necktie, before ultimately finding the anaconda choke against a gassed Calderon, forcing a tap.
Alberto Montes consigue la sumisión! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/sJgFjyroGi
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) October 2, 2024
Martinez outclasses Franklin
In the third fight of the evening, David Martinez won a very fun fight against Xavier Franklin to earn a unanimous decision and a UFC contract.
A former Combate champion, Martinez is also the brother of UFC fighter Melissa Martinez, and the undefeated fighter made a compelling case to join his sister in the promotion with his impressive kickboxing display. From the opening bell Martinez darted around the cage, chopping Franklin’s leg and landing combinations with his punches that busted Franklin up and led to Martinez winning every single round.
SUPERMAN PUNCH FROM MARTINEZ #DWCS pic.twitter.com/kGG8e6rBRd
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 2, 2024
Finney runs over Er-Ramy
In the second bout of the evening, Torrez Finney became the first fighter in Contender Series history to record three wins as he demolished Abdellah Er-Ramy in the first round.
Earlier this season, Finney scored a lackluster win that drew criticism from Dana White. This time around, there were no such issues as Finney bulldozed right through Er-Ramy, scoring a takedown and dominating him on the ground with submission attempts and punches before moving to the back mount and finish the fight with a series of big shots to the defenseless fighter. That finish proved to be just the ticket to finally get Finney into the UFC as White effusively praised his performance afterward.
TORREZ FINNEY DOES IT AGAIN
— UFC (@ufc) October 2, 2024
He's gets it done in the first round!
[ #DWCS LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/EOO28hXVa2
Smith cruises past Savoie
In the opening bout of the evening, Jacobe Smithe delivered a dominant performance against Christien Savoie, stopping the Canadian fighter with elbows in the second round to earn a UFC contract.
A former D-1 All-American wrestler out of Oklahoma State, Smith entered Contender Series as one of the biggest favorites this season and the standout wrestler delivered, taking Savoie down early and often and pummeling him with elbows. Savoie fought on valiantly but was simply overmatched and in the second round, referee Mark Smith stopped the fight after repeated elbows.
Jacobe Smith opens up Week 8 with a TKO
— UFC (@ufc) October 2, 2024
[ #DWCS LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/GL52RC0MxD
Check out the DWCS week 8 results below.
Diyar Nurgozhay def. Bartosz Szewczyk via knockout (head kick) — R2, 3:32
Alberto Montes def. Carlos Calderon via submission (anaconda choke) — R2, 2:38
David Martinez def. Xavier Franklin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Torrez Finney def. Abdellah Er-Ramy via TKO (punches) — R1, 4:10
Jacobe Smith def. Christien Savoie via TKO (elbows) — R2, 2:55
