LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 20: A general view of the Octagon during Dana White's Contender Series season three week nine at the UFC Apex on August 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White’s Contender Series 26: 3 earn final contracts of the season
Tonight on Dana White’s Contender Series …..
The final installment of the 2019 Dana White’s Contender Series summer season went down on Tuesday as 10 more fighters competed for the chance to hear those four magical words: “Welcome to the UFC!”
Dana White’s Contender Series 26 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heading into the final card of the season, UFC president Dana White had already handed out a record ammount of contracts in 2019.
Headlining the season finale of DWCS was a middleweight matchup between the unbeaten Dusko Todorovic taking on the 18-fight veteran from Canada, Teddy Ash. Todorovic set a grueling pace and strong clinch game en route to a unanimous decision win.
The co-main event featured another 185-bout between LFA veterans Kailan Hill and Impa Kasanganay. In the end, Kasanganay — the biggest underdog on the card and the second biggest of the season — improved to 6-0 with a strong unanimous decision win over the dynamic Hill.
The “Fight of the Night” goes to Peter Barrett and Sang Hoon Yoo, with the Massachusetts native earning a unanimous decision.
TJ Brown picked up the only finish win of the night, picking up a third-round submission win over Dylan Lockard. The come from behind win was even more impressive considering he had lost a point for an illegal knee to a grounded Lockard.
In the end, UFC president Dana White awarded the final contracts of the season to TJ Brown, Peter Barrett and Dusko Todorovic.
In case you missed the event, get the full fight-by-fight, round-by-round recap of the final event of the 2019 Contender Series season.
TJ Brown vs. Dylan Lockard
ROUND 1
Interesting tidbit about this fight: TJ Brown holds a victory over Lockard’s teammate Peter Barrett, who happens to be competing on the card later on. How’s that for full circle? After an exchange on the feet kicking things off with a lot of excitement and energy, Lockard lands a big left hand and gets the fight to the ground right away and takes Brown’s back. Brown is able to defend and reverse position, grabs a heel hook in the process. Brown is able to get to his feet and get on top, now taking Lockard’s back with both hooks in. Lockard is able to scramble and get back to his feet, Brown takes him right back to the mat and is inside control. Lockard gets to his feet and slaps on a tight guillotine choke. Brown gets to side control and defends the choke. The ground battle continues and Brown lands a hard knee to a grounded Lockard and Brown knew it. The referee stops the action. The referee takes a point away from Brown and the action continues with the final minute upon us. Brown throws a body kick and falls down, popping right back up. Leg kick lands hard from Brown and he shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Not much time left as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-8 for Lockard
ROUND 2
They meet in the center and Lockard lands a sharp left hook. Jab from Brown and they exchange punches. Brown gets the fight back to the ground and is in Lockard’s full guard. Brown lands a short left hand and Lockard uses a butterfly guard to try to scramble to his feet. Lockard almost reverses, but Brown is relentless, landing a couple of elbows and taking Lockard’s back. Lockard tries to get back to his feet again and Brown keeps it on the floor. Lockard gets back to his feet and takes Brown’s back. After trying to take Brown to the mat, Brown gets the top position and lands a series of elbows. Left hands land by Brown and he takes the back of Lockard, getting a hook in. Brown continues to smother Lockard, and the New England native gets to his feet. Back to the ground they go and Lockard ends up on top as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Brown
ROUND 3
Brown more than likely needs a finish here to get the win. Brown comes up short on a couple of superman punches. Lockard lands a left hand and a combination. Brown with a kick to the body and to the head of Lockard, who then shoots for a single. Brown trying to sprawl and Lockard stays on him. Brown separates and lands a knee to the body. Lockard gets the fight back to the ground on a visibly tired Brown. Kimura attempt by Brown but Lockard does a nice job defending. Brown is able to scramble and take Brown’s back with a hook in. Brown trying to sink in a rear naked choke but Lockard continues to show his patience and grit. Brown trying to lock in an arm triangle and it is tight. Lockard is forced to tap and Brown gets the come from behind finish.
What a comeback!
TJ Brown gets the late 3rd-round submission win at #DWCS! Wow! pic.twitter.com/0N5g0V4r3B
— UFC (@ufc) August 28, 2019
Official result for this Contender Series contest : TJ Brown def. Dylan Lockard via submission (arm triangle) – Round 3, 2:59
Dustin Joynson vs. Ben Sosoli
ROUND 1
The two heavyweights meet in the center and Joynson lands a side kick to the chest of the former TUF contestant Sosoli, who then lands a left hand moments later. They exchange big punches and Sosoli comes out with the heavier shots — a pair of left hands. They tie up briefly and Sosoli eats a left hand. Sosoli answers with a left of his own, followed by another. Jab by Sosoli, they tie up and it looks like an accidental eye poke by Sosoli. The Canadian Joynson says that he can’t see anything as the action stops. On the replay, it looks like, maybe a knuckle went into the eye. The fight has been waved off.
Official result for this Contender Series contest : No contest
Peter Barrett vs. Sang Hoon Yoo
ROUND 1
It’s New England vs. South Korea in the featured bout of the evening in the lightweight division. Two completely different walkouts, “Slippery Pete” with a ton of energy while Sang Hoon Yoo — the first Korean to compete on the Contender Series — slowly, methodically and silently walks his way to the cage. Jason Herzog gets them ready to go and they touch gloves. They trade leg kicks early on. Yoo catches a Barrett kick and takes him to the mat. Yoo is in side control peppering short punches repeatedly. Barrett trying to get back to guard and Yoo is able to maintain position, looking to trap an arm. Yoo continues to land short punches, some are going to the back of the head and Herzog warns him. Yoo with an armbar and it is deep. Barrett escapes and gets back to his feet. Yoo lands a big bunch and flying knee behind it, Barrett is hurt. “Slippery” is able to recover and push Yoo against the fence. Single leg to a takedown from Barrett. Yoo back to his feet and Barrett looking for an inside trip. Knee to the body from Barrett. Yoo with a Thai clinch and a huge knee down the middle lands. Barrett is so, so tough pushing Yoo back against the fence after eating that huge knee. Barrett with a knee to the thigh, and again. Under hook from Barrett and Yoo has that Thai clinch again, landing another big knee. Yoo just misses another clinch knee and Barrett goes back to the fence looking for a takedown. Barrett with a nice elbow on separation. They trade punches before the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Yoo
ROUND 2
Barrett is smiling at Yoo before the second round begins. Leg kick from Barrett lands, Yoo with a jab counter. Right hand from Yoo and Barrett grinds against the fence. Barrett changes levels for a takedown, and throws a nice knee to the head of Yoo. Knees to the thighs from Barrett who continues to look for the takedown. Yoo defends, Barrett throws another knee up high. Yoo gets separation and they trade. Yoo looks for a big knee but falls to his back. Barrett lands a takedown and has a guillotine position, landing a nice knee to the head. Yoo separates and lands a huge kick to the body. Barrett with a big right hand, and just misses a spinning back fist. Barrett ties his opponent up against the fence once more, landing knees to the thighs. Short uppercut lands on the break by Barrett. Body kick attempt from Yoo, right hand answer from Barrett. Under 90 seconds to go, Barrett lands a left hand and ties Yoo up against the fence. Takedown by Barrett who lands a few clean punches Under a minute to go and Yoo lands a right hand. Knee to the body from Yoo and a big right hand. Barrett ducks under a big kick and lands a takedown. Barrett with a right hand, and another. Yoo stands up but Barrett is all over him, another takedown from “Slippery Pete”. The round ends with both fighters looking for some extra oxygen. Crazy pace!
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Barrett
ROUND 3
Barrett is still smiling as they begin the final round. They meet in the center and Barrett lands a right hand. Yoo with an accidental low blow kick and the action stops. Barrett fires a body kick, Yoo answers and Barrett continues to push the action. Nice left hand from Barrett before he clinches up. Yoo separates but eats an uppercut. Head kick, and a body kick from Barrett. Yoo with a nice right hand. Barrett eats a body kick and ties Yoo back up against the fence. Elbow from Barrett and they separate. They clinch up and Barrett lands a big elbow and spinning back fist. They tie up, Barrett with a right hand to the body before taking Yoo to the fence. Left to the body by Barrett after they separate. Yoo with a left hand and Barrett has a guillotine for a moment before changing levels for a single leg takedown. Yoo trying to stay on his feet and does. Barrett still all over him and they trade knees to the thighs. Yoo forces a break and lands big head kick. Barrett ties Yoo up and looks for another takedown and after a scramble, Yoo looks for an armbar. Barrett escapes and lands a pair of left hands. Barrett pushes Yoo back against the fence and lands a knee. Barrett relentless with his takedown attempt and gets his hands locked. Yoo holds the fence, but Barrett still lands the takedown. Yoo back to his feet and they trade big punches as the horn sounds, thus ending a really fun fight.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Barrett
Official result for this Contender Series contest: Peter Barrett def. Sang Hoon Yoo via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Kailan Hill vs. Impa Kasanganay
ROUND 1
This fight has fireworks written all over it! Hill comes firing out and misses a flying knee. Hill with a high kick, caught by Kasanganay, who takes Hill to the mat. Side control for Kasanganay, back in the full guard of Hill. Kasanganay may take Hill’s back, lands a knee to the body. Hill gets up and both trade elbows. Body kicks traded and Hill comes up short on another flying knee attempt. Body kick from Hill. They exchange in the pocket and Hill throws a front kick up the middle that grazes his opponent. Kasanganay with a flurry of punches landing clean. Back to the center of the cage they go and Hill throws a spinning back fist, spinning head kick combination, landing it, then gets his back taken. Hill transitions and takes Kasanganay down this time. Hill does a nice job keeping his opponent time — but only for a brief moment, as Kasanganay gets a body lock takedown. Kasanganay lands a right hand, Hill answers with an uppercut. They trade, and Hill finishes with a high kick. Kasanganay throws a head kick, coming up short, as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Kasanganay
ROUND 2
Hill throws a flying knee that just misses. Leg kick from Kasanganay, answered by Hill. Spinning back fist misses by Hill, but lands a leg kick behind it. Right hand, followed by a left from Kasanganay. Left hook from Kasanganay, Hill lands a pair of punches as well. Push kick from Hill, who throws a flying knee, Kasanganay tries a spinning back fist and they tie up against the fence. Heavy body kick by Hill, right hand counter by Kasanganay. Halfway through the round and Kasanganay lands a jab to the body and a left hand to the head of Hill. The fight hits the mat and Kasanganay lands big shots on the ground, taking Hill’s back with a hook in. Kasanganay in a half guard position now, to full mount. Hill turns it around and ends up on top. Kasanganay has the legs up looking for a triangle, Hill escapes and gets up. A pair of flying knee attempts from Hill come up short. Under 20 seconds to go and they circle each other. Big left hook from Kasanganay, followed by a right hand. Hill shoots for a takedown and gets it as the horn sounds. Another big round for Kasanganay, the biggest underdog on the card.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Kasanganay
ROUND 3
Hill needs something big here to win this fight. Kasanganay lands a nice leg kick early in the round. Hill lands a body kick and eats a jab from Kasanganay. Hill shoots in, Kasanganay sprawls and ends up on top. Kasanganay in side control, landing left hands over and over agin. Kasanganay is happy being in half guard, trying to get an arm triangle choke. Left hand from Kasanganay and Hill is stuck on the bottom. Hill has his back taken, eats a right hand. Hill tries a scramble and eats a right hand. Hill gets back up and needs a finish. Under a minute to go and Hill shoots for a takedown and gets it. Questionable decision from Hill as Kasanganay is very clam. Hill trying to advance his position but ends up in full guard. Kasanganay gets back to this feet and they battle against the fence as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Kasanganay
Official result for this Contender Series contest : Impa Kasanganay def. Kailan Hill via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Dusko Todorovic vs. Teddy Ash
ROUND 1
Final fight of the season begins with a glove touch. Ash just misses a huge right hand. Todorovic is very relaxed as a 25-year-old and he clinches with Ash against the fence. Todorovic eats a few short elbows from Ash. Right to the body from Todorovic and the battle against the cage continues. Double under hooks from Todorovic, Ash defending nicely and Jason Herzog giving a close look. Ash with a Thai clinch and a knee to the body, right elbow lands clean behind it. Todorovic happy with the tie up here, lands a short elbow and is driving his head against Ash to keep him against the fence. Body shots from Todorovic, and some short left hands. Todorovic going to the body again and a pair of jumping knees to the body. Todorovic almost gets a takedown, but Ash is able to defend. We head to the final minute and Ash is bleeding from his nose. The clinch has been Todorovic’s world right now, out striking Ash at a 3-1 clip. Ash explodes out and lands a nice elbow, Todorovic goes back to the clinch and lands a pair of punches to the body. The battle against the cage continues until the horn sounds.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Todorovic
ROUND 2
They trade punches early, Ash catches his opponent’s leg and lands a flurry. Big left hand from Ash and he is opening up on Todorovic — who loses his mouthpiece it appears. Todorovic has Ash against the fence again and the right side of Ash’s face is cut open. Left hand over the top by Todorovic. Ash answers with a short combination. Todorovic looking for a takedown on a bloodied up Ash, that cut is a nasty one on his right cheek. Ash lands an elbow on the break and comes forward. High kick from Todorovic, Ash looked to answer but came up just short. Todorovic puts Ash back up against the fence. Herzog stops the action momentarily to give Todorovic his mouthpiece. Back against the cage they go after the restart. Ash is able to briefly explode away from the fence, but Todorovic is relentless. Body shots and a knee from the Serbian as we approach the final minute of the round. Ash has to be frustrated here as he has spent the majority of this fight against the fence. After eating some body shots and an elbow, Ash explodes out and is throwing heavy. Todorovic has incredible head movement, but he ate a huge left and a right from Ash. Todorovic is stunned as Ash is on Todorovic against the cage. Knees to the thighs from Ash as the round ends. Ash probably lost the round, but gained some momentum.
What a chin on Todorovic! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/IdwMOVx721
— UFC (@ufc) August 28, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Todorovic
ROUND 3
Final round of the third Contender Series season. Ash comes up swinging and Todorovic sneaks in a short left. Leg kick lands by Ash. Another leg kick and a nice right hand by Ash. Todorovic looks like the more fatigued fighter, but they are trading big shots here. Todorovic with some big body shots against the fence and the clinch battle begins. More shots to the body by Todorovic. Thai clinch from Ash, who lands a knee to the body. Todorovic very busy here, just missing a fling knee. Ash separates and throws big shots, almost getting taken down in the process. More than halfway through the round and the grueling pace continues. Ash eats a spinning elbow and Todorovic is the more busy fighter. Ash separates and throws power shots, Todorovic again pushes him against the fence. Todorovic has a single leg as we approach the final minute. Right hand by Todorovic, followed by a combination to the body. Ash gets separation and lands an uppercut. They clinch up again and Ash has control. Todorovic reverses position. Ash separates and marches forward, landing huge punches and a knee right before the horn sounds.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Todorovic
Official result for this Contender Series contest : Dusko Todorovic def. Teddy Ash via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Dana White’s Contender Series 26 results:
- Dusko Todorovic def. Teddy Ash via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
- Impa Kasanganay def. Kailan Hill via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
- Peter Barrett def. Sang Hoon Yoo via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Dustin Joynson vs. Ben Sosoli ends in a no contest (accidental eye poke)
- TJ Brown def. Dylan Lockard via submission (arm triangle) – Round 3, 2:59
