Staines Delivers First Slam Knockout In DWCS History

George Staines delivered the first slam knockout in Dana White's Contender Series history Tuesday night, finishing Loai Abushaar in the opening round at the UFC APEX.

Staines, who trains alongside Paddy Pimblett, secured a body lock on Abushaar and lifted him off the canvas. With Abushaar's arm trapped, Staines drove him into the mat, knocking him unconscious on impact before landing follow-up punches, MMA Fighting reports. The finish came at 1:01 of Round 1 and earned Staines a UFC contract.

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Four Contracts Awarded After Wild Night

The Week 8 card lost its opening bout an hour before start time when Ilias Bulaid fell ill, forcing his featherweight matchup with Erick Visconde to be rescheduled. The remaining four fights each ended in a finish. Adama Diop stopped Zaurbek Sabanov in the second round with relentless pressure, though UFC CEO Dana White criticized his performance before awarding him a contract anyway. White reportedly told Diop the fight looked terrible but said he was giving him a chance regardless.

Ian Escuza knocked out Luca Borando in 32 seconds with a flurry of clinch knees, though the final strike landed while Borando had a knee down. Referee Herb Dean ruled the illegal knee incidental to the finish after consulting with officials. White said he disagreed with the decision and was inclined not to sign Escuza, but matchmaker Sean Shelby argued for the Peruvian fighter and secured him the contract.

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LFA strawweight champion Aieza Bertolso submitted Camila Reynoso with an inverted D'Arce choke at 3:02 of Round 1, rounding out the night's four UFC deals. Week 9 of DWCS airs next Tuesday from Las Vegas.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — DWCS Season 10, Week 8 results: First slam knockout in Contender Series history