Blake Bilder talks DWCS win, Dana White’s comments on age and mental health awareness
Blake Bilder came into his Dana White’s Contender Series fight with a lot of emotions.
Earlier this year, Bilder’s younger brother took his own life and Bilder has thought about his brother every single day since it happened.
While he has a tattoo to memorialize his brother, he wants to use a platform like his professional fighting career to spread mental health awareness and to make sure everyone knows there are resources out there to help people with their struggles.
Just before he walked to the octagon in his fight, the UFC production team aired a pre-fight promo clip in which Bilder had everyone emotional has his clip was used to talk about his brother.
As everyone was filled with emotions, Bilder remained claim and once the fight began he didn’t need too long to walk away a winner as he submitted Alex Morgan in the opening round of the fight.
Bilder was a shoe in for a UFC contract after the performance, but UFC president shocked the masses when he said he’s not looking for 32-year-old fighters on the show. Despite making that statement, he did chose to give Bilder the UFC contract, but his comments were the topic of MMA fans and media members all around the world.
Bilder didn’t take White’s comments personal and he is now looking forward to his UFC journey and he plans on using his platform to spread mental health awareness and to continue fighting in his brothers name.
As for his next move, that comes with more emotions has well as his grandmother isn’t in the best of health and her dying wish is to see her grandson fight in Madison Square Garden. Bilder mentioned that to the UFC and he is hoping they will allow him on the upcoming UFC 281 fight card in Madison Square Garden.
Following his victory over Morgan, Bilder spoke with MyMMANews to discuss win, mental health awareness and his career up to this point. You can watch his full interview in the video above.
A full list of results from Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 6, Week 6 are listed below:
Yusaku Kinoshita defeated Jose Henrique Souza via TKO (punches) – Round 3 (0:43)
Sedriques Dumas defeated Matej Penaz via submission (guillotine) – Round 1 (0:47)
Mateusz Rebecki defeated Rodrigo Lidio via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1 (3:05)
Viktoriia Dudakova defeated Maria Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Blake Bilder defeated Alex Morgan via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1 (3:14)
Bold names received a UFC contract
