The ninth season of Dana White’s Contender Series rolled on Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, with 10 hopefuls looking to turn strong performances into UFC deals. By night’s end, UFC CEO Dana White signed four new fighters but not everyone who won made the cut.
Who Got the Call?
Dana White extended contracts to:
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Damian Pinas – Middleweight (KO win over Vitor Costa)
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Louis Jourdain – Featherweight (submission win over Magno Dias)
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Christopher Alvidrez – Lightweight (TKO win over Eliezer Kubanza)
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Kurtis Campbell – Lightweight (TKO win over Demba Seck)
The lone winner left without a contract was Rashid Vagabov, a Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé who won by unanimous decision. White criticized his inability to finish despite entering as a massive favorite.
Featured Bout: Pinas Stuns Costa
In the middleweight main event, Damian Pinas (8-1) shocked highly touted Fighting Nerds prospect Vitor Costa (8-1). After a competitive opening exchange, Pinas detonated a right hand on Costa’s temple, sending him crashing to the mat. Herb Dean stepped in after follow-up shots, sealing a first-round knockout.
Jourdain Joins His Brother
Louis Jourdain (12-3), brother of UFC veteran Charles Jourdain, showcased sharp striking before wrapping up a third-round submission of Magno Dias. The win opens the door for the Jourdain brothers to become the first Canadian siblings to compete simultaneously in the UFC.
Alvidrez Pulls Off Underdog Upset
Despite entering as a +200 underdog, Christopher Alvidrez wasted no time against Eliezer Kubanza. He dropped his foe with heavy hands and unleashed a barrage of elbows until Dean waved it off with just 16 seconds left in Round 1.
Campbell’s Lightning Debut
Kurtis “The Pink Panther” Campbell bulldozed Demba Seck in just 80 seconds. A quick takedown, ground control, and a flurry of strikes forced the stoppage and earned Campbell an instant ticket to the roster.
Vagabov Wins, But No DealD
Despite a dominant 30-27 decision over Paulo da Silva, Rashid Vagabov failed to impress Dana White. His in-fight chatter and inability to finish left the UFC boss underwhelmed. White praised his skill but bluntly noted, “That’s not what we’re looking for.”
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
