The ninth season of Dana White’s Contender Series delivered another action-packed night in Las Vegas. Quick knockouts and decisive finishes lit up the cage.
A format with proven success
Since 2017, the show has given fighters the chance to earn a UFC contract. Several past participants even became champions. Known as “the ultimate job interview,” the series runs five fights weekly over ten weeks. Each fighter aims to impress UFC boss Dana White and secure a deal.
Last season, the UFC handed out 42 contracts across ten events. That was slightly fewer than the 46 awarded in 2023. Episode three of season nine followed the tradition, with five new fighters stepping into the spotlight.
Donte Johnson sets the tone with a quick finish
Donte Johnson opened the night with a dominant display against Darion Abbey. He pressed forward immediately, unleashing heavy punches in quick succession. Just over a minute into the fight, the referee stopped the contest.
Sousa survives Perez and turns the fight around
Manoel Sousa showcased resilience against Cristian Perez. Perez controlled early with grappling, threatening a choke and later a leg lock. Sousa stayed composed, weathered the danger, and waited for his moment.
Perez began to fade in the second round. Sousa stuffed takedowns and forced him to trade strikes. By the third round, Sousa took over completely. A barrage of punches overwhelmed Perez, forcing the TKO stoppage.
Yakhyaev shocks with 30-second knockout
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev needed only 30 seconds to defeat Alik Lorenz. After a low kick, he surged forward and landed a crushing knee. A rapid series of punches left Lorenz collapsed against the cage.
Barbosa drops Wilson with heavy hands
Marcio Barbosa added another highlight with a brutal first-round finish of Damon Wilson. A right hand sent Wilson crashing to the canvas. Though Wilson quickly stood up, Barbosa kept the pressure on. More powerful shots landed, forcing the referee to wave it off.
Gandra dominates in the main event
The evening closed with Ryan Gandra against late replacement Trent Miller. Gandra wasted no time, pressing forward with power. His heavy shots stunned Miller within the opening minute. A final right hand sealed the knockout victory seconds later.
All winners rewarded with UFC contracts
For the second consecutive week, every winner received a UFC contract. The five fighters who earned their place 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
