The world’s “toughest job interview” takes place this evening as 10 fighters “vie to fulfill their dreams of earning a UFC contract.”
Dana White’s Tuesday night “Contender Series” kicks off tonight (July 11, 2017) from inside UFC’s Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Fight Pass. And there is some promising up-and-coming mixed martial arts (MMA) talent in tow. The main event pits CES Featherweight Champion Matt Bessette against UFC veteran and current Interim Titan FC Lightweight Champion Kurt Holobaugh, while Heavyweight sluggers Greg Rebello and Azunna Anyanwu duke it out in the co-main.
In addition, blue-chip Bantamweight prospects Boston Salmon and Ricky Turcios will do battle as well, plus former UFC competitors Justin Jones and Joby Sanchez against Charles Byrd and Manny Vazquez, respectively.
DANA WHITE’S ‘CONTENDER SERIES’ 1 QUICK RESULTS:
Matt Bessette vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Greg Rebello vs. Azunna Anyanwu
Boston Salmon vs. Ricky Turcios
Charles Byrd def. Jamie Pickett by submission (arm triangle choke)
Joby Sanchez def. Manny Vazquez by unanimous decision
DANA WHITE’S ‘CONTENDER SERIES 1’ PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES:
Matt Bessette vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
Greg Rebello vs. Azunna Anyanwu
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
Boston Salmon vs. Ricky Turcios
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result:
Jamie Pickett vs. Charles Byrd
Round one: Pickett in red, Byrd in blue. Byrd firing kicks early on against the much taller Pickett. Good low kicks. Pickett ducks in and takes him down on the fence. One minute in. Pickett puts in a hook. Byrd rolls and surrenders half guard. He makes his way to his feet, but gets downed once again two minutes in. Again to his feet, Pickett stays attached. Two minutes to go.
Byrd grabs double underhooks and hauls him to another part of the fence, landing a good knee before they separate. He avoids a takedown and scores one of his own, but Pickett makes it to his feet when Byrd tries to take his back and they separate. Two rights from Byrd with a minute to go. Hard knee to the body by Pickett in return, but Byrd lands a spinning elbow and reverses a takedown into top position. Hard right hands. Crucifix now and he locks up an arm triangle. Pickett tries to grit his way through to the end of the round, but goes to sleep.
Final result: Byrd def. Pickett by technical submission (arm triangle choke)
Joby Sanchez vs. Manny Vazquez
Round one: Vazquez in green, Sanchez in gray/blue. Sanchez opens with low kicks. Left hook lands for him, Vazquez answers in kind. One minute in. Right hand and left hook inside by Sanchez, who’s quite a bit busier than his foe at the moment. Vazquez ducks for a single as Sanchez advances, can’t use it. They clash inside with dirty boxing from Sanchez and knees by Vazquez. Two minutes in and they separate. Sanchez shrugs off a low blow. Head kick blocked. Sanchez presses forward, but gets dropped hard by a counter when Vazquez’s back hits the fence.
Vazquez transitions from the front headlock to the back with about ninety seconds to work. Full body triangle. Vazquez chipping away. He can’t get the choke before the bell. 10-9 Vazquez.
Round two: Sanchez wades back into the clinch and scores a takedown of his own, avoiding the switch as he does. He takes side control as Vazquez tries to scramble, then grabs a Japanese necktie when Vazquez turns into him. Vazquez looking to take him down in return, no dice and Sanchez lands elbows after Vazquez pops free and returns to guard. Vazquez gives up his back and Sanchez drops punches with a hook in. More punches from Sanchez. He’s putting some heat on these. Two minutes to go.
Vazquez not having any success trying to dislodge him. Both hooks in, then full mount for Sanchez, though Vazquez regains half guard with a minute to go. Sanchez again uses the Japanese necktie to deny a standup. I’m calling that a 10-8 Sanchez even under the old rules.
Round three: Vazquez hits an early takedown on the fence and puts in a hook when Sanchez stands. He pushes off the cage to try to secure back control, but it looks like he might lose it. Sanchez takes top position and Vazquez locks up his guard. Two minutes in. He passes to half guard and drops elbows. He looks for an anaconda choke and rolls for it. Vazquez manages to slip out and return to his feet. Two minutes to go.
Vazquez looks tired but he’s throwing hooks like he means it. Sanchez ties up on the fence and pulls his hips out for another takedown. Ground-and-pound right away and he returns to the one-hook control he used brilliantly last round. One minute to go. More punches from Sanchez. 10-9 Sanchez.
Final result: Sanchez def. Vazquez by unanimous decision