Week 1 Results + Scorecards | Dana White's Contender Series Season 8

Paired off with fellow unbeaten flyweight prospect An Tuan Ho, the GB Top Team standout put a leaping left hook on the chin of Ho midway through the opening round that instantly ended the fight.

Billed as one of the best fights that has ever been put together on the annual talent-search series, Kavanagh showed why people have been so high on him as a prospect. This was an absolutely tremendous shot and stunning finish for the undefeated 25-year-old, who looked like a potential force during his time under the Cage Warriors banner and demonstrated it again here.

What a way to start the season!

Jose Delgado defeats Ernie Juarez by KO (knee and punches) at 1:25 of Round 2

Jose Delgado was all over Ernie Juarez from the outset and didn’t let up until he put a stepping knee on his chin and put him out less than 90 seconds into the second round.

Another competitor to make his way to the UFC APEX from The MMA Lab, Delgado, who took the fight less than two weeks ago, came out looking to take the fight to Juarez, mixing his weapons well on the feet and getting the better of the action when it hit the canvas in the first as well. In the second, Delgado continued pressing forward, ratcheting up his output as Juarez backed up to the fence, closing the distance before connecting with a beautiful stepping knee right as Juarez dipped his head.

Just an outstanding performance from Delgado, who moves to 8-1 with the win, showing impressive flashes of potential in the biggest moment of his career.

Bruno Lopes defeats Mikheil Sazhiniani by TKO (body shot) at 4:14 of Round 2

The first returning fighter of the season used his second opportunity to collect a victory and potentially punch his ticket to the UFC Octagon.

Bruno Lopes survived a first-round knockdown and some big shots from Georgia’s Mikheil Sazhiniani to collect a second-round stoppage win in the middle of Tuesday’s Week 1 fight card. With Sazhiniani clearly fading, Lopes attacked the body, causing the burly light heavyweight to clutch at his midsection and back-pedal into the fence, where the Brazilian continued to attack until referee Herb Dean stepped in to halt the action.

Lopes was upset last season by Brendson Ribeiro, but he went back to LFA, successfully defended his light heavyweight title, and made the most of his second chance on Tuesday. Now he’ll wait to see if he did enough to impress UFC CEO Dana White and join Ribeiro on the UFC roster. 

Rami Hamed defeats Ding Meng by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

The welterweight clash between Rami Hamed and Ding Meng was a competitive affair throughout, with a third-round point deduction having a massive impact on the outcome.

Hamed was the more effective of the two in the opening round, throwing and landing at a stronger clip throughout, but over the remainder of the fight, Ding clawed his way back in. The Chinese fighter landed an accidental low blow early in the fight and another at the outset of the third, prompting referee Chris Tognoni to give him a hard warning. When the two threw simultaneous kicks and Ding’s landed between Hamed’s legs, the was docked a point.

The two men battled to the horn and the judges were called upon to render a verdict for the first time this season, with Hamed emerging victorious. He looked sharp early in his first fight since December 2022, but it will be interesting to see if he did enough to earn a call to compete in the Octagon.

Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Wes Schultz by TKO (elbows) at 3:55 of Round 2

Mansur Abdul-Malik ventured beyond the first round for the first time in his career, but the middleweight prospect still maintained his unbeaten record nonetheless, putting away Wes Schultz with heavy ground-and-pound to close out the opening week of Season 8 on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Abdul-Malik showed why he’s one to watch in the 185-pound ranks, flashing solid takedown defense and good power throughout, stinging Schultz at different points throughout. Late in the second, he successfully navigated a grappling entanglement to climb into mount, and from there, it was academic, as a torrent of elbows brought on the stoppage.

While he’s still green, Abdul-Malik is unquestionably an intriguing prospect, brandishing good size and athleticism in a division where those types of competitors are always at a premium. Now 6-0 as a pro, the Xtreme Couture representative is one to watch going forward.