LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was at Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 59 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting at the UFC Apex for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with promotion president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The third episode of Season 7 will see eight fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. A middleweight contest between Eli Aronov (6-1) and Zach Reese (5-1) served as the featured bout of the four-bout lineup. Fury FC’s Reese quickly submitted Unified MMA’s Aronov with an armbar.
In the co-featured bout, Cage Warriors’ Obain Elliott and Okatgon’s Kaik Brito went blow-for-blow in a thrilling three-round battle.
Full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 59 include:
- Zachary Reese def. Eli Aronov via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:14
- Oban Elliott def. Kaik Brito via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
- Josefine Knutsson def. Isis Verbeek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Luis Pajuelo def. Robbie Ring via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1, 3:43
Continue reading below for more details about each fight.
Luis Pajuelo vs. Robbie Ring
Result: Luis Pajuelo def. Robbie Ring via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1, 3:43
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 59: Best photos
Records: Luis Pajuelo (8-1), Robbie Ring (6-5)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
Round 1 – Both fighters trade leg kicks. Ring gets aggressive with a punching combination topped off with a big knee up the middle. Pajuelo moves forward aggressively and eats a combination. Each fighter lands. Pajuelo is moving with no regard for his own safety. He punches Ring right in the face and Ring is hurt. Pajuelo swings wildly and Ring ducks down. Ring grabs hold of a leg and takes Pajuelo down. Pajuelo scotts back toward the cage and elbows Ring in the head. Pajuelo gets up and swings at Ring. Pajuelo knocks Ring down with a leg kick. Ring grabs for a single-leg and Pajuelo lands on top. Pajuelo knees Ring right in the midsection on the ground and Ring turtles. Pajuelo pounds away and referee Jacob Montalvo dives in.
Josefine Knutsson vs. Isis Verbeek
Result: Josefine Knutsson def. Isis Verbeek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 59: Best photos
Records: Josefine Knutsson (6-0), Isis Verbeek (5-2)
Division: Strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Round 1 – After a brief feeling-out process, Knutsson rips a fast and confident head kick that drills Verbeek right on target. Verbeek stumbles backward and Knutsson flies across the cage for a jumping knee. Knutsson clinches Verbeek against the fence and takes the fight to the ground. Verbeek slowly works her way up and Knutsson knees her. They separate and strike before Knutsson clinches Verbeek against the fence again. Back in the center, Knutsson throws another leaping knee and ties up Verbeek. They separate. Verbeek clinches Knutsson and the round ends. 10-9 Knutsson.
Round 2 – Another feeling-out process begins the round. Knutsson squishes Verbeek against the fence and lands a nasty elbow. They separate. Verbeek is getting aggressive. She’s throwing heat but it’s a little unorganized. Perhaps she’s realizing we’re past the halfway point of the fight and she wants to steal this round. Knutsson clinches Verbeek and drills her with two knees to the bread basket. Knutsson hits Verbeek with a knee to the face, then a slick left hook on the break. Knutsson grabs hold again. The round ends. 20-18 Knutsson.
Round 3 – They clinch and break. Verbeek lands a kick to the body and Knutsson connects on another left hand. Verbeek leaps in but pulls up on a knee. Verbeek comes in aggressive again. Knutsson tries to keep her at bay with a kick. Knutsson throws a spinning wheel kick at the same time Verbeek throws a leg kick. The simultaneous strikes send Knutsson flying to the canvas. Back up, Knutsson goes back to it. Knutsson tries a flying knee. No dice. Verbeek throws a head kick, then a leg kick. She’s going for it. This is the best couple of minutes she’s had. Knutsson has swelling near her right eye. A Knutsson body kick knocks Verbeek to the canvas. Knutsson dives into Verbeek’s guard. Verbeek scoots back to the fence and shoves Knutsson off. Back in the center, they clinch again. Knutsson drives Verbeek into the cage. They separate and Knutsson tries a spinning backfist. The round ends. It should be 30-27 Knutsson.
Kaik Brito vs. Oban Elliott
Result: Oban Elliott def. Kaik Brito via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 59: Best photos
Records: Kaik Brito (16-5), Oban Elliott (9-2)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
Round 1 – Elliott gets an early takedown and is on top of Brito on the canvas. Brito eventually works his way up and he connects with a sneaky snot on Elliott’s face on the way up. They trade. Elliott connects with a hard shot. Brito spins for a counter strike. They trade some more. Brito connects with a hard overhand right. Elliott shoots for another takedown and he gets it. Brito shoves him off though and gets up. Brito is head hunting, as he whiffs on a huge overhand right and ties Elliott up. They break. 10-9 Elliott.
Round 2 – Elliott shoots early and Brito defends properly. Brito tries a cartwheel kick. Elliott shoots again and gets it. Brito scrambles up against the fence, though. Brito hops up and pulls for a guillotine. Brito loses his grip and Eliott is on top of him in half guard. Brito gets up and tags Elliott with a punch. Elliott dives for a leg. He looks exhausted. Both men land. Brito lands three big punches on Elliott. They’re both absolutely winging punches. Elliott connects. Brito connects and a wobbly Elliott shoots for a double leg. Brito grabs Elliott’s back and has the body triangle in. Brito has one leg over Elliott’s shoulder now. Brito pulls for an armbar after some hesitation and Elliott’s arm is extended – but he’s saved by the bell. 19-19.
Round 3 – Elliott, who appeared to get tired first in Round 2, now looks like the fresher fighter. Elliott rips the body with a kick – and again. Brito fires back. Elliott lands another body kick and Brito wildly spins for a backfist. Brito topples over and Elliott jumps into guard. Elliott lands some big elbows. Brito tries to push him off but Elliott fights to remain in guard – and he does. Elliott cracks Brito with more elbows. Elliott stands up and rains down heavy ground-and-pound. Brito shoots for an armbar as the horn sounds. 29-28 Elliott.
Eli Aronov vs. Zach Reese
Result: Zachary Reese def. Eli Aronov via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:14
Recap: Daniel Cormier criticizes Eli Aronov after Zach Reese’s slick submission
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 59: Best photos
Records: Eli Aronoy (6-1), Zach Reese (6-0)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Round 1 – Reese slips on a kick attempt and pops up. Moments later, he falls again. Reese is huge. Aronov charges in with a combination, the backs off. They trade leg kicks. Reese throws a body kick, which Aronov catches and takes him down. Reese shoots up for an armbar and rips Aronov into submission. WOW. Reese is limping, despite the win. What a wild turn of events.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 59.
