Dana White’s Contender Series 4 results, video highlights: Crazy head kick KO closes show

Check out what happened at Dana White’s Contender Series episode 4, as the action packed night saw two contracts get issued out.

Dana White’s Contender Series 4 has concluded an exciting night of fights, as the event included a couple of epic wars, a controversial finish, and a spectacular head kick KO of a hyped up prospect. There were two UFC contracts awarded as Dana White selected Brandon Davis and Julian Marquez to join the UFC roster, but due to the strong performances from multiple competitors this evening, don’t be surprised to see some of these faces further down the line.

Julian Marquez def. Phil Hawes by KO at 2:20 of round 2: Middleweight

Despite the wrestling credentials, Hawes came out looking to scrap with Marquez, well, that was until Marquez threw a kick that Hawes caught and took the fight to the ground. Marquez scrambled back to his feet, and locked up a tight Guillotine choke, but Hawes defended well and escaped. Hawes would lean on those wrestling chops as he finished the round in top position, raining down some damage. Marquez landed some big punches to start the second stanza that wobbled Hawes, and found top position over the collegiate wrestler. Hawes would return to his feet to threaten with a takedown, but ended up pulling his foe on top of him. Marquez would land some ground and pound, then allowed Hawes to return to his feet, just to kick him in the head for the KO win.

Watch Dana White’s reaction to Marquez’ head kick KO of Hawes:

Kyler Phillips def. James Gray by TKO at :46 of round 1: Bantamweight

To open the bout, Gray decided to shoot in on Phillips and paid for it big time, as Phillips dealt out a plethora of Travis Browne elbows that buckled Gray. Phillips landed a few hammerfists and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Some agreed with the stoppage, others did not.

Carlos Candelario def. Ronaldo Candido by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3): Flyweight

Candido wasted no time in picking up a takedown, and transitioning to the back of Candelario, where he attacked with an RNC. Candelario escaped the sub attempt, and proceeded to make his opponent pay by dropping some thudding ground and pound from top position. Once the fight returned to the feet, Candelario uncorked some loaded hooks that prompted a poor takedown attempt from Candido, that resulted in some more ground strikes. Despite eating quite a few solid strikes from his foe, Candido scored a much needed takedown to finish the round on top.

Candido landed a crisp boxing combo to start the final round, and then followed up by spamming takedown attempts until he succeeded. Once on the ground, Candido took the back of his opponent once again, but was reversed by Candelario, and followed up with some more G & P. Candido attacked the leg of Candelario and attempted a rare calf slicer, but ended up eating some elbows for his troubles. Candido was able to ground Candelario in the third round, and managed to transition all the way to full mount, where he attacked a Guillotine choke. Candido dropped some ground and pound of his own that opened up an Arm Triangle attempt, but Candelario was able to hang tough and survive the round.

Check out this sub D to G & P from Ronaldo Candelario:

Brandon Davis def. Austin Arnett by Unanimous Decision: Featherweight

Davis came out throwing heat at his opponent, rendering Arnett rather defensive for the first 2 minutes of the fight. Arnett would find his range as he began to land some crisp straight punches. Both fighters were speaking their minds to one another in the middle of the cage as they were dishing out their respective damage.Both fighters continued to stand in the center of the Octagon, trading strike for strike, with Davis seeming to land the better of the exchanges. Arnett jumped on a Guillotine, but gave up the top position, which resulted in a few slicing elbows from Davis. A bloody Arnett returned to his feet to throw some bombs and knees, but Davis weathered the brief storm, just in time to get kicked in the junk. Both fighters slugged it out for the remainder of the round, but it was Arnett who was wearing all of the damage.

Both warriors let it all hang out in the final frame, showing boat loads of heart on both sides of the featherweight equation. Down the stretch, Davis continued on with his volume, despite the apparent fatigue, while Arnett was landing the power shots, despite being drenched in his own blood. What a war!

Watch this war get a standing ovation from the UFC brass:

Ladies and gentlemen… Snoop Doggy Dogg:

John Castaneda def. Cheyden Leialoha by Unanimous Decision: Bantamweight

Leialoha scored first to open up the Dana White’s Contender Series 4 card, by scoring a takedown and landing in the top of full guard. Castaneda sustained a cut from an elbow below his right eye while on the bottom, but was able to scramble his way back to his feet before the round ended. Castaneda opened the second round with a well timed knee to the jaw that seemed to shift the momentum of the fight in his favor. Leialoha pressed forward with a flurry of punches, but Castaneda ducked under the punches and secured a double leg takedown. Leialoha returned to his feet to score a solid elbow, but was unable to steal back the momentum, let alone the round.

Leialoha scored early to start the final frame as he was able to put Castaneda on his back for a brief moment. Castaneda would return to his feet to land some solid punches, but Leialoha initiated another grappling, resulting in Castaneda with his back taken. Castaneda would not be denied as he reversed the position, and took the back of Leialoha to return the favor. Leialoha shook off his opponent, and then stood back up so that both fighters were able to march forward as the final bell sounded.

Check out Paul Felder dealing out words of wisdom as Castaneda shoots in on Leialoha:

Ladies and gentlemen…Snoop Doggy Dogg:

UFC royalty was in the house as Lorenzo Fertitta sat cageside: