Dana White’s Contender Series 1 results & highlights: Holobaugh brutally knocks out Bessette

Check out what happened at Dana White’s Contender Series 1, as two fighters earned themselves a UFC contract.

Dana White’s Contender Series 1 kicked off tonight on UFC Fight Pass, as the main event witnessed a brief slugfest between Kurt Holobaugh and Matt Bessette, which ended in a brutal first round knockout. The inaugural event also saw a heavyweight knockout from Azunna Anyanwu, and technical submission from Charles Byrd, but Holobaugh and Boston Salmon were the ones selected by Dana White to give it a go in the UFC.

Kurt Holobaugh def. Matt Bessette by KO at 2:59 of round 1: Featherweight

Both main event fighters came out throwing heat in the pocket, with both 145’ers landing descent shots. Holobaugh began getting the better of the exchanges, wobbling Bessette multiple times, before ultimately dropping him with a torqued out right hook at the back end of a flurry.

Azunna Anyanwu def. Greg Rebello by KO at 3:04 of round 2: Heavyweight

It took about 4 minutes before a significant strike did any damage, but Anyanwu scored a late takedown that might have won him the round. Anyanwu cornered Rebello and started to uncork a a big bolo, but Rebello shifted out of harms way. Rebello landed a solid uppercut, but Anyanwu was able to pressure forward with his monstrous right hand. Rebello snuck in a slick southpaw cross, but shortly after met his demise while throwing the same strike, as a Anyanwu overhand right connected cleanly.

Boston Salmon def. Ricky Turcios by Unanimous Decision: Bantamweight

Salmon showed off some thudding counter punches to earn the respect his opponent, causing Turcios to force some bad shots. The southpaw punches of Salmon seemed to be landing with more authority than that of Turcios, causing visible damage to close out the opening round. Turcios threw a plethora of leg kicks, before going upstairs to the head, but Salmon was able to digest the strike with no issue. Salmon appeared to be exceptionally comfortable as he pressured forward looking to throw some big punches, but Turcios continued to score with his volume. Turcios landed a suave backfist, and finished up the round strong.

Salmon would drop his foe about a minute into the third round, but Turcios recovered, and looked to push the pace. Turcios shoved Salmon up against the cage, landing knees to the body, as Salmon seemed to be gassing out. Digging deep, Salmon found a second wind, and discovered open space, where the two bantamweights slugged it out in the center of the cage. Both fighters gave it everything they had down the stretch, trading strikes until the final round.

Watch Salmon and Turcios turn up for Dana White’s Contender Series 1:

Who wants it more here in the final round?! Salmon & Turcios coming out exchanging shots! #ContenderSeries pic.twitter.com/fbhopWrcqi

— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) July 12, 2017

Charles Byrd def. Jamie Pickett by Technical Submission (Arm Triangle) at 4:55 of round 1: Middleweight

Byrd started the bout by launching multiple stinging leg kicks to the thigh of his opponent, but Pickett secured a takedown to begin the grappling exchange. Byrd would find seperation, just to re-enter the clinch behind a punch. Pickett would take the fight to the ground in response to a Byrd spinning elbow, but ultimately fell unconscious due to a buzzer beating Arm Triangle.

Joby Sanchez def. Manny Vasquez by unanimous decision (29-27 x3): Flyweight

Vasquez drew first blood as he dropped Sanchez with a left hook towards the end of the 1st round. Vasquez immediately went for a Guillotine choke, before transitioning to the back where he spent the rest of the round. Sanchez would opened the second frame by punching his way into the clinch, and getting the fight to the ground. Vasquez spent a descent amount of time defending a D’arce attempt, before eventually giving up his back, with Sanchez punching away. Sanchez dominated every second of the 2nd round. Despite early success on the feet, Vasquez started the third round by initiating a grappling exchange. Vasquez worked to take the back, but Sanchez defended well, and made his way back to the D’arce position. The fighters returned to their feet, but Sanchez found the takedown, and unloaded a few punches to score.

Watch Snoop Dogg do some live commentary of Sanchez on the back of Vasquez:

We have @SnoopDogg coming up with new fighting styles here in the first fight of @danawhite‘s Tuesday Night #ContenderSeries… pic.twitter.com/uEGE5jvyEh

— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) July 12, 2017

Check out what happened at Dana White’s Contender Series 1, as two fighters earned themselves a UFC contract.

Dana White’s Contender Series 1 kicked off tonight on UFC Fight Pass, as the main event witnessed a brief slugfest between Kurt Holobaugh and Matt Bessette, which ended in a brutal first round knockout. The inaugural event also saw a heavyweight knockout from Azunna Anyanwu, and technical submission from Charles Byrd, but Holobaugh and Boston Salmon were the ones selected by Dana White to give it a go in the UFC.

Kurt Holobaugh def. Matt Bessette by KO at 2:59 of round 1: Featherweight

Both main event fighters came out throwing heat in the pocket, with both 145’ers landing descent shots. Holobaugh began getting the better of the exchanges, wobbling Bessette multiple times, before ultimately dropping him with a torqued out right hook at the back end of a flurry.

Azunna Anyanwu def. Greg Rebello by KO at 3:04 of round 2: Heavyweight

It took about 4 minutes before a significant strike did any damage, but Anyanwu scored a late takedown that might have won him the round. Anyanwu cornered Rebello and started to uncork a a big bolo, but Rebello shifted out of harms way. Rebello landed a solid uppercut, but Anyanwu was able to pressure forward with his monstrous right hand. Rebello snuck in a slick southpaw cross, but shortly after met his demise while throwing the same strike, as a Anyanwu overhand right connected cleanly.

Boston Salmon def. Ricky Turcios by Unanimous Decision: Bantamweight

Salmon showed off some thudding counter punches to earn the respect his opponent, causing Turcios to force some bad shots. The southpaw punches of Salmon seemed to be landing with more authority than that of Turcios, causing visible damage to close out the opening round. Turcios threw a plethora of leg kicks, before going upstairs to the head, but Salmon was able to digest the strike with no issue. Salmon appeared to be exceptionally comfortable as he pressured forward looking to throw some big punches, but Turcios continued to score with his volume. Turcios landed a suave backfist, and finished up the round strong.

Salmon would drop his foe about a minute into the third round, but Turcios recovered, and looked to push the pace. Turcios shoved Salmon up against the cage, landing knees to the body, as Salmon seemed to be gassing out. Digging deep, Salmon found a second wind, and discovered open space, where the two bantamweights slugged it out in the center of the cage. Both fighters gave it everything they had down the stretch, trading strikes until the final round.

Watch Salmon and Turcios turn up for Dana White’s Contender Series 1:

Charles Byrd def. Jamie Pickett by Technical Submission (Arm Triangle) at 4:55 of round 1: Middleweight

Byrd started the bout by launching multiple stinging leg kicks to the thigh of his opponent, but Pickett secured a takedown to begin the grappling exchange. Byrd would find seperation, just to re-enter the clinch behind a punch. Pickett would take the fight to the ground in response to a Byrd spinning elbow, but ultimately fell unconscious due to a buzzer beating Arm Triangle.

Joby Sanchez def. Manny Vasquez by unanimous decision (29-27 x3): Flyweight

Vasquez drew first blood as he dropped Sanchez with a left hook towards the end of the 1st round. Vasquez immediately went for a Guillotine choke, before transitioning to the back where he spent the rest of the round. Sanchez would opened the second frame by punching his way into the clinch, and getting the fight to the ground. Vasquez spent a descent amount of time defending a D’arce attempt, before eventually giving up his back, with Sanchez punching away. Sanchez dominated every second of the 2nd round. Despite early success on the feet, Vasquez started the third round by initiating a grappling exchange. Vasquez worked to take the back, but Sanchez defended well, and made his way back to the D’arce position. The fighters returned to their feet, but Sanchez found the takedown, and unloaded a few punches to score.

Watch Snoop Dogg do some live commentary of Sanchez on the back of Vasquez: