Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took location on Tuesday, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Since its creation in 2017, this series hasactually revealed to have legs in numerous methods while serving as a crockpot for competitors the UFC matchmakers can usage to fill their lineup for future occasions. With that pattern in mind, here are the grades for the winning fighters – regardless of whether or not they made a UFC agreement – and an evaluation of their possibility to return to a UFC phase.
Lone’er Kavanagh
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (R-L) Lone’er Kavanagh of England kicks An Tuan Ho of Vietnam in a flyweight battle throughout Dana White’s Contender Series season 8, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Weight class: Flyweight
Result: Lone’er Kavanagh def. An Tuan Ho through knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2: 35
Grade: A
Summary: Setting the tone for the night was a sensational knockout win by [auttotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag].
A half-Chinese phenom who hails from the United Kingdom, Kavanagh revealed some flashes of his vaunted abilities and swagger in what eventually was a really short battle.
Kavanagh’s challenger, An Tuan Ho, was likewise a highly-touted possibility coming into this contest, however this night saw some harsh possibility losses for more than one unbeaten fighter.
It’s good to see that Kavanagh is likewise an explosive professionalathlete to boot, which oughtto serve him well in the weight class he contends in.
I’m likewise happy to see Dana White indication this kid without doubt, as I hope that Kavanagh’s efficiency serves as a strong suggestion for the UFC brass that flyweight is a banging department that shouldhave to be showcased.
Although Kavanagh appears allset sufficient for the winner or loser of next month’s match inbetween Andre Lima vs. Felipe dos Santos, I suspect the promo will put him up versus Mitch Raposo for his veryfirst swing at bat.
Jose Miguel Delgado
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Jose Delgado punches Ernie Juarez in a featherweight battle throughout Dana White’s Contender Series season 8, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Jose Miguel Delgado def. Ernie Jaurez through knockout (knee and punches) – Round 2, 1: 25
Grade: A
Summary: Despite taking the battle on 11 days’ notification, Marquel Mederos produced an emphatic knockout over Ernie Juarez to make a UFC agreement.
As I pointed out in my potentialcustomers to watch in 2024 column, Jaurez advised me of a mini Daniel Cormier with design and stature. Unfortunately for Jaurez, this likewise indicated that, stylistically, his wrestle-boxing perceptiveness would run him right into the power shots of Delgado’s southpaw position.
Although Delgado’s flowy nature enables him to shift relatively freely, the MMA Lab item ran finest out of southpaw – developing the preferred double risks early that would ultimately lead to his surface over Jaurez.
I value the basic structure and circulation that Delgado brings to the table and see him being a excellent pickup for the UFC as a reputable action fighter for the foreseeable future. That stated, he’ll requirement to coast his defense and awareness at boxing variety offered that his design naturally opens him up for counters that UFC-level opposition will mostlikely test earlier than lateron.
Bruno Lopes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Bruno Lopes of Brazil punches Mikheil Sazhiniani of Georgia in a light heavyweight battle throughout Dana White’s Contender Series season 8, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Result: Bruno Lopes def. Mikheil Sazhiniani bymeansof TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4: 14
Grade: C
Summary: Even however it was difficult not to be pleased for Bruno Lopes getting signed on his 2nd swing at bat on this phase, I discovered it tough to get too passionate about the Brazilian’s efficiency.
Despite naturally being tossed off by the awkwardly spastic blitzes of Mikheil Sazhiniani, Lopes appeared to be a bit too reluctant for my preference (something that was echoed by Paul Felder from the commentary cubicle).
This, of course, endedupbeing obvious by the 2nd round – which saw Sazhiniani gasping for air and looking to be hurt on several events. And though I was prepared to compose off Lopes after clinching with what was a plainly hurt Sazhiniani, the Brazilian fighter was able to land a direct hit to the body that correctly revealed his Georgian opponent the door.
I’m not stunned that the UFC president signed Lopes offered both his love for huge guys and the truth that the muchheavier departments have generally didnothave the depth and numbers of their contemporaries. That stated, I suspect we’ll see Lopes designated to the B-side of matches varying anywhere from Ibo Aslan to Magomed Gadzhiyasulov.
Rami Hamed
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (R-L) Rami Hamed of Russia punches Ding Meng of China in a welterweight battle throughout Dana White’s Contender Series season 8, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Rami Hamed def. Meng Ding through consentaneous choice (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Grade: D
Summary: Despite the one-week notification and the reality that he was battling through injury, I discovered it challenging to validate anything greater than a D for Rami Hamed.
I understand that Hamed was dealingwith a increasingly uncomfortable fighter in Meng Ding who