Tag: Dana White's Contender Series

Watch: Yuneisy Duben Lands Jaw-Dropping KO – Claims Knockout of the Season

Yuneisy DubenYuneisy Duben, Venezuela, extended her unbeaten streak with a stunning knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series. The UFC even…

Yuneisy Duben

Yuneisy Duben, Venezuela, extended her unbeaten streak with a stunning knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series. The UFC even claims that this is the best knockout of the season.

Yuneisy Duben

The Venezuela-born Yuneisy Duben has had an impressive run in MMA thus far. Undefeated in her professional MMA career and all of her victories have come by way of knockout stoppage. Some victories with her hands, and some victories with her dangerous kicks. Her background is competing in Wushu and Taekwondo on the international level. In addition to her powerful strikes, she has experience in submission grappling as well.

This season on Dana White’s Contender Series, Duben entered the match as a heavy underdog against the then-undefeated Shannon Clark, coming in at 5-0. Clark was a whopping -1100 favorite. Duben delivered her first loss with authority. A thunderous overhand ended the streak of Clark and punched Duben’s ticket into the UFC.

Dana White exclaimed:

“One of the most impressive knockouts I’ve ever seen! A huge underdog!”

See below for her highlight reel worth KO that had Dana White freaking out.

“Yuneisy Duben with the knockout of the season! WHAT A KNOCKOUT! Yuneisy Duben just delivered one of the best KOs we’ve ever seen on DWCS!”

Yuneisy Duben
Yuneisy Duben

Report – Artem Vakhitov, last fighter to beat Alex Pereira in kickboxing books October Contender Series debut

Artem Vakhitov, last fighter to beat Alex Pereira in kickboxing books October Contender Series debutAccording to reports across social media this Thursday evening, former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Artem Vakhitov is edging…

Artem Vakhitov, last fighter to beat Alex Pereira in kickboxing books October Contender Series debut

According to reports across social media this Thursday evening, former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Artem Vakhitov is edging closer to a long-mooted move to the UFC – reportedly booking an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series as soon as October.

Vakhitov, a decorated Russian kickboxing talent, currently boasts a 2-1 professional mixed martial arts record, most recently featured back in February in Kazakhstan, turning in a 23-second knockout win over Valisher Khambaev.

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Renowned for his striking ability, Vakhitov, who twice clinched light heavyweight gold under the banner of GLORY Kickboxing, rose to prominence with his pair of fights against former two-weight UFC champion, Alex Pereira – holding the accolade as the final opponent to beat the Brazilian in professional kickboxing.

Sharing the squared circle for the second time back in 2021 in Rotterdam, Vakhitov took home a majority decision win over Sao Paulo native, Pereira, who would depart the promotion in the immediate aftermath of the loss, before making huge waves in the UFC.

Artem Vakhitov responds to Alex Pereira I want to settle the issue in the UFC

Artem Vakhitov reportedly set for Contender Series outing in October

And staking his claim for a trilogy rubber match with the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame star – this time inside the Octagon, Vakhitov will reportedly feature on the Contender Series at the end of the summer, taking on Islem Masraf. 

“Former Glory light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov (2-1 in MMA) will face Islem Masraf (3-0) of France in Dana White’s Contender Series on October 8.” Red Corner MMA posted on X. “For Vakhitov, it’s one step closer to fighting Alex Pereira again, this time in the Octagon.”

Calling out Pereira in recent weeks, Vakhitov was hit with an immediate warning from his two-time foe, who urged him to be “careful” in his pursuit of a clash, which he in turn brushed aside.

Alex Pereira targets UFC 310 return in December for title fight that's a good date for me

“It’s been great to see your success and I wish you even more success in the future,” Artem Vakhitov said. “But I am sure you can understand that, for me, it’s strange to be always reading about ‘the best striker on the planet’ when in my opinion, I beat this person twice already. I would like to settle the issue in the UFC Octagon.”

Do you think Artem Vakhitov can work his way to a trilogy fight with Alex Pereira?

Jonas Bilharino Denied UFC Contract Despite Scoring Huge Spinning Wheel Kick KO At DWCS

Jonas BilharinoBrazilian striker, Jonas Bilharino is set to continue on the regional circuit despite a stunning spinning wheel kick knockout last night at Dana White’s Contender Series, with UFC president, Dana White turning down the opportunity to sign the 31-year-old. 9-1-1 as a professional, Bilharino, who has been called the “Brazilian Conor McGregor” in the past due […]

Jonas Bilharino

Brazilian striker, Jonas Bilharino is set to continue on the regional circuit despite a stunning spinning wheel kick knockout last night at Dana White’s Contender Series, with UFC president, Dana White turning down the opportunity to sign the 31-year-old.

9-1-1 as a professional, Bilharino, who has been called the “Brazilian Conor McGregor” in the past due to apparent similarities in the pair’s striking styles, also featured in the camp of former undisputed featherweight champion, Jose Aldo ahead of his UFC 189 proposed headliner against McGregor — in a bid to mimic the Dubliner’s style ahead of the bout, which was ultimately rescheduled.

Featuring on last night’s Season 5 finale of Dana White’s Contender Series, Bilharino managed to score the first spinning wheel kick stoppage in the history of the show — in the third round of a largely uneventful matchup with Canaan Kawaihae, in which both landed simultaneous groin strikes in the clinch.

The victory appeared to impress not only the commentary booth but also the attendees at Octagon-side, however, promotion president, Dana White revealed during s post-fight press conference why he elected against signing the Brazilian following the Jungle Fight alum’s highlight-reel knockout stoppage victory.

Dana White keen to see Jonas Bilharino compete on regional circuit going forward

“I literally looked at Mick [Maynard] and Sean [Shelby] and said, ‘I was 100 percent not interested until right now. Now I don’t know what I am,’” White told assembled media after the event. “Now I’m confused because obviously you saw the kid has speed he has hands, he’s a talented guy. The spinning kick was a spectacular finish, plus you can tell he’s fighting a guy who has a great chin because he took some big shots in there and even the spinning wheel kick didn’t knock him out, but it hurts him and had him on crazy legs.“

“The kid’s stock went up tonight,” White said. “He’s 9-1, maybe one of these other organizations pick him up, which we talked about before, they’re not very bright so they probably won’t. He’ll pick up a couple of fights in LFA or one of those type of shows, and we’ll take a look at him again. He definitely — landing that kick tonight put him in a good spot. He’s a free agent right now, he can do what he wants, and we’lll look at him again. (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

The Team Nogueira trainee has now scored a staggering seven successful knockout stoppages from his nine professional victories, however, it appears he will likely need to rack up a couple more eye-catching victories or performances before the UFC open the door to a contract with the organization based on the promotion leader, White’s comments.