UFC Hands Contracts To Two DWCS Losers

Dana White handed out six UFC contracts at Week 7 of Contender Series Season 10 on Tuesday night, including two fighters who lost their bouts — the first time in the show's history that contracts have gone to losing competitors.

The landmark night at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas saw wild brawls between Alvi Dasuyev and Jaden Ortega in the co-main event, and Piero Guaylupo versus Callum Connor earlier on the card. Both pairs landed nearly 400 combined significant strikes, according to MMA Fighting's coverage, and White rewarded all four with deals despite two of them taking official losses.

Dasuyev Gassed, Both Fighters Signed Anyway

Dasuyev, the Ares welterweight champion, dropped Ortega early and appeared headed for a quick finish. But Ortega absorbed heavy punishment and rallied as Dasuyev faded in the second round. Dasuyev recovered enough to edge the third frame and take a unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28. Afterward he blamed jet lag for his cardio struggles and said he would have finished the fight otherwise.

In the second bout, Guaylupo pressured Connor from the opening bell, battering him with hooks to the head and body. Connor fired back with elbows, knees, and spinning attacks, but Guaylupo dropped him late in the first round. Connor survived and the two traded damage for another 10 minutes. Guaylupo took the decision 30-27 on all cards, but White was impressed enough to sign both men.

Norbert Novenyi Jr., the biggest betting favorite on the card, dropped Theo Haig early in the main event but then struggled as Haig took his back and controlled him on the mat. Novenyi won a cautious unanimous decision but was the only winner of the night not to receive a contract. White told him they wanted to see him return for another shot.

Marcos Degli submitted Paris Moran with a one-armed rear-naked choke in the second round to win his contract, while Damian Piwowarczyk stopped Emilio Quissua late in round one after a slow start. The next DWCS episode airs September 29 from the APEX.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — DWCS Season 10, Week 7 results: Two wild brawls highlight historic week on Contender Series