UFC president Dana White did his best Oprah impression after the fights on Week 4 of the Contender Series had finished, as he dished out contracts to each and every one of the night’s five winners at the UFC Apex.
The main and co-main events both produced quickfire knockout victories, as lightweight Esteban Ribovics and middleweight Claudio Ribeiro both blasted their way onto the UFC roster with first-round finishes, while Jose Johnson and Hailey Cowan had to go all the way to the scorecards to pick up hard-earned wins that turned into UFC contract offers.
The night also started with a big KO, as Nazim Sadykhov claimed a third-round finish in his lightweight bout to earn a UFC deal.
Check out the best of the action below as White welcomed five new fighters to the UFC roster.
Esteban Ribovics def. Thomas Paull via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:30
RIGHT ON THE BUTTON 🎯 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/2h9sXjHN7e
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Claudio Ribeiro def. Ivan Rodriguez via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:25
WHAT JUST HAPPENED 🤯 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/O1ieN7BIZV
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Jose Johnson def. Jack Cartwright via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
The decision goes to @JoseJohnsonMMA but was it enough to leave #DWCS with a UFC contract? 🤔
[ #DWCS is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ykfXd6wbCM
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Hailey Cowan def. Claudia Leite via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
🗣 BY SPLIT DECISION!@Hailey_Bre takes the W in a razor close fight! How did you score it?
[ #DWCS is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/YgKCFacLQw
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Nazim Sadykhov def. Ahmad Hassanzada via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 1:59
Big right, GOODNIGHT 💥
[ @Naz_MMA | #DWCS ] pic.twitter.com/Ln4GC3ym9l
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Dana White gives his post-event verdict
Dana White’s Contender Series: Week 4 Results
- Esteban Ribovics def. Thomas Paull via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:30
- Claudio Ribeiro def. Ivan Rodriguez via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:25
- Jose Johnson def. Jack Cartwright via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Hailey Cowan def. Claudia Leite via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Nazim Sadykhov def. Ahmad Hassanzada via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 1:59