Photo by Chris Unger/DWTNCS LLC
The world’s “toughest job interview” continues this evening as 10 eight fighters “vie to fulfill their dreams of earning a UFC contract.”
Dana White’s “Contender Series” ends a seven-week hiatus on a special date this evening (Weds., Nov. 4, 2020), bringing eight more mixed martial arts (MMA) hopefuls into Las Vegas’ UFC APEX.
Though the most recent episode on Sept. 15, 2020, featured just one finish, three fighters walked away with contracts. Boxing veteran Danyelle Wolf scraped past Taneisha Tennant, Colin Anglin mauled the favored Mohammedjon Naimov, and Jordan Williams demolished Gregory Rodrigues in the main event.
Tonight’s Light Heavyweight featured attraction sees City Kickboxing product Carlos Ulberg (2-0) step up on short notice to face Brazil’s Bruno Oliveira (8-1), who’d been slated to face the UFC-bound KB Bhullar. Down at 170, Chile’s Ignacio Bahamondes (10-3) fights KOTC champ Edson Gomez (6-1). The card will also see one-time UFC signee Vince Murdock (12-3) fight fellow Featherweight Luis Saldana (13-6) and open with Heavyweight action between Jared Vanderaa (10-4) and Harry Hunsucker (6-2).
‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:
Carlos Ulberg vs. Bruno Oliveira — Ulberg def. Oliveira by KO (punches) at 2:02 of Round One
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Edson Gomez — Bahamondes def. Gomez by KO (front kick) at 2:31 of Round TwoPauline Macias vs. Gloria de Paula
Vince Murdock vs. Luis Saldana — Saldana def. Murdock by TKO (front kicks and punches) at 0:44 of Round Three
Jared Vanderaa vs. Harry Hunsucker — Vanderaa def. Hunsucker by TKO (punches) at 3:34 of Round One
‘Contender Series’ Play-By-Play Results:
205 lbs.: Carlos Ulberg vs. Bruno Oliveira
Round one: Oliveira on the front foot early. Ulberg tossing out kicks, eats a right hand after trying to spin. Oliveira leg kick against the fence. One minute in. Both throwing low kicks. Oliveira tries to press the issue and walks into a vicious combination that sends him to the mat face-first.
Final result: Ulberg def. Oliveira by KO (punches)
170 lbs.: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Edson Gomez
Round one: Low kicks from Bahamondes. Stiff jab, front kick downstairs. Gomez trying to catch him coming in. Hard 2-3 from Gomez, good flurry on the fence. He catches a body kick, can’t get the takedown. One minute in. Good punches from Gomez and he shoots against the fence. Bahamondes lands some elbows and separates. Body kick from Gomez. Bahamondes low kick. Front kick misses, jab and counter left connect. Two minutes in. Gomez ties up, eats a knee. Bahamondes feints with the hands before splitting the guard with a knee. Cut kick knocks Gomez over. Heavy counter right, then a straight left that appears to sting Gomez.3-2 form Gomez in return. Two minutes to go.
Counter left by Bahamondes as he circles on the fence. Combination inside, front kick to the body. Gomez shoots and takes him to the fence. One minute to go. Bahamondes separates and lands a body kick. Head kick attempt, body kick lands. Spinning back kick on the fence. 10-9 Bahamondes.
Round two: Darting right from Bahamondes early on. Gomez blitzes, landing a few shots before changing levels. 1-2-knee from Bahamondes. Potshots landing. One minute in. More kicks piling up. Four-piece, punches into a spinning back kick. Heavy overhand right by Gomez in return. Gomez definitely not looking terribly fresh as he eats straight punches. Good liver shot by Bahamondes. Gomez tries a head kick, eats a right cross. Bahamondes bounces punches off his guard, digs a liver shot, then front kicks him in the face for a clean KO.
Final result: Bahamondes def. Gomez by KO (front kick)
145 lbs.: Vince Murdock vs. Luis Saldana
Round one: Saldana sending out some early kicks. Low kick connects. Brazilian kick just misses. Murdock falls short with a 1-1-2. One minute in. Saldana doing well at range so far. Spinning back kick misses. Low kick to counter left. Side kick to the midsection. Murdock just misses two minutes in. Glancing head kick met by a Saldana jab. Saldana tries a jumping knee. More kicks, straights from both sides. Two minutes to go.
Saldana tries another flying knee and Murdock ties up. Can’t keep him against the fence. Spinning back kick from Saldana. Double jab with a minute to go. Murdock’s just having trouble closing the distance. Another spinning back kick, then a combination. Hard body kick. Murdock low kick. 10-9 Saldana.
Round two: Low kick from Saldana as he continues to control the distance. Low kick again. He tries to spin and takes some glancing punches from Murdock a minute in. Teeps from Saldana. Continuing to send out kicks at multiple heights. Two minutes in. Glancing Brazilian kick from Saldana. Murdock doubles up the leg kicks. Left hooks come back at him, good two-piece upstairs. Two minutes to go.
Saldana constantly switching stance. Counter uppercut and left hook. More leg kicks. Murdock with a glancing head kick. One minute to go. Saldana lands a low kick and left hook. Combination. Murdock falling short with punches. Saldana with a pair of front kicks. 10-9 Saldana.
Round three: Saldana looking more aggressive to start the round, catches Murdock with a pair of front kicks for a knockdown. He follows Murdock down into mount and pounds him out from there.
Final result: Saldana def. Murdock by TKO (front kicks and punches)
265 lbs.: Jared Vanderaa vs. Harry Hunsucker
Round one: Trading kicks to start. Vanderaa grabs double unders and takes him to the fence, landing knees. Hunsucker responds by blasting him with a flurry on the break, which Vanderaa weathers well. One minute in. Low kick and front kick by Vanderaa, Hunsucker answers with another series of power punches. Trading low kicks. Hunsucker walks through a jab to rattle Vanderaa with a left hand. Two minutes in. Big overhand right from Hunsucker falls just short. Vanderaa eats an overhand right, lands a two-piece in return, unable to clinch. Body kick from Vanderaa on the break. He ties up and hauls Hunsucker to the fence again. Two minutes to go.
Hunsucker holding onto a kimura grip and gets taken down for it. Short punches from Vanderaa. Hunsucker rolls to his knees, but soon crumples under the onslaught.
Final result: Vanderaa def. Hunsucker by TKO (punches)
For more “Contender Series” news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.