For the fourth time this season, all five winners on “Dana White’s Contender Series” were offered UFC contracts following their performances on Tuesday night.
Blake Bilder, Viktoriya Dudakova, Mateusz Rebecki, Sedrieuqes Dumas, and Yusaku Kinoshita have all been offered UFC contracts for their wins from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, this week.
The episode continued a season that has seen nearly all winners earn UFC contracts. A total of 25 fighters have been signed through six episodes, putting the season on pace to reach a record-setting 41 signings by the time the show concludes.
Kinoshita Finishes Henrique In The Third
Yusaku Kinoshita closed out the night with an explosive finish victory against then-undefeated welterweight Jose Henrique in the main event.
Kinoshita dropped Henrique early in the third round, scoring with a clean left hook. He then focused on ground and pound, which allowed him to finish the fight within the first minute of the round.
The welterweights engaged in a back-and-forth stand-up shootout prior to the finish. They worked at a fast pace and weren’t afraid to take shots in the process of delivering them as well.
Kinoshita is a stand-out name from Japanese regional promotion Pancrase. The 22-year-old has finished all of his fights in his two-year career thus far.
Henrique’s pro record was a short but strong five wins heading into this card. He appeared on an LFA card earlier this year, defeating Pedro Oliveira.
Dumas Picks Up 47-Second Win
Sedriques Dumas needed less than a full minute to score a submission victory in Tuesday’s co-main event.
Dumas was able to submit Matej Penaz with a guillotine choke to earn a victory.
Dumas locked in a guillotine choke as the fight was returning to the feet from a ground position early on. Leaning up against the cage while on the feet, Dumas kept with the choke until Penaz tapped to end the fight.
Tuesday was Dumas’ third win in 2022. His previous victories, including a 59-second head kick finish, came in regional promotion iKON FC.
Penaz, a former GLORY Kickboxer, succeeded in Czech promotion OKTAGON prior to this week.
Rebecki Earns Early Submission
Lightweight Mateusz Rebecki was one of the quick winners on Tuesday night, putting away Rodrigo Lidio in the first round via submission.
Rebecki got the fight to the ground in the first minute, then finished it two minutes later.
Rebecki looked for the choke while halfway into taking the back of Lidio. This informal choke continued while Rebecki moved into a half guard position, where a tap caused the bout to end.
Mateusz’s record now includes an incredibly impressive 13-fight winning streak. He has mostly competed on the Polish regional scene since he debuted in 2014.
Lidio appeared on an LFA card last year, earning a second-round finish victory over Arthur Lima.
Dudakova Battles Past Injury For Scorecard Nod
Viktoriya Dudakova was able to pick up a decision win on Tuesday night, defeating Maria Silva on scorecards despite an apparent injury occurring late in the fight.
Dudakova seemingly suffered a leg injury late in the second round, visibly slipping and then limping afterward. There was visible concern around her during the fight, as a ringside doctor checked on her before the third round started.
Dudakova scored a takedown on Silva and took her back in the third round, overcoming her injury and controlling most of the round.
Dudakova’s undefeated record now includes six wins since her 2020 win. Tuesday marked the first time she went the distance in a pro bout, with all of her previous fights coming via finish.
Silva was returning to the “Contender Series” for the second time. She appeared in the 2021 season but didn’t earn a contract after defeating Kathryn Paprocki in a unanimous decision result.
The result Tuesday was Silva’s first loss as a pro.
Bilder Mounts Morgan Early For Submission Win
Blake Bilder started the night with a quick win, catching Alex Morgan early with a rear naked choke submission.
Bilder mounted the back of Morgan immediately after landing a right cross on the feet. From this position, Bilder started to search for a rear naked choke.
Bilder kept with a rear naked choke attempt as the fight changed levels numerous times, eventually ending with a tap from Morgan.
Bilder now has an undefeated record of seven wins and one draw. He had a strong two-fight run in CFFC prior to his “Contender Series” run, capturing their belt late last year and defending it once.
Morgan, the more experienced fighter of the two, was coming off a strong 2021 that saw him score two victories.
Quick Results
Main Card (8:00PM EDT / 5:00PM PDT) (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass Canada)
Bout 5: Yusaku Kinoshita def. Jose Henrique via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 0:43)
Bout 4: Sedriques Dumas def. Matej Penaz via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 1, 0:47)
Bout 3: Mateusz Rebecki def. Rodrigo Lidio via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 3:05)
Bout 2: Viktoriya Dudakova def. Maria Silva via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 1: Blake Bilder def. Alex Morgan via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 3:15)
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