It was another thrilling night of action inside the UFC APEX this week, as Season 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series rolled on, with early finishes being the chief order of business in Week 7.
Once again, it didn’t take UFC President Dana White long to deliberate on the action that unfolded in front of him, and for the first time this year, six fighters were awarded contracts, as all four of the victorious men — Tobias, Reyes, Magomedov, and Kondratavicius — were no-brainer additions in White’s words, while both Jeisla Chaves and Sofia Montenegro were called to compete in the Octagon as well, marking the second time this season that both sides of the women’s battled earned contracts.
That brings the total number of graduates this season to 31 and keeps the anticipation high for another exciting night of action next week. Check out the details of how things played out in Week 7 below.
This page will be updated live throughout the event with official results, full fight recaps, judges scorecards, plus interviews with Dana White and tonight’s contract winners.
Rafael Tobias was simply too much for Jair de Oliveira in Tuesday night’s all-Brazilian opener in the light heavyweight division.
The size and physicality difference between the two was apparent from the outset, as Tobias dwarfed his compatriot, and when he landed, it either staggered de Oliveira or caused an echo to ricochet around the UFC APEX. Midway theough the opening stanza, “Bipolar” backed de Oliveira to the boundary and dragged him to the canvas, quickly jumping on the back, attacking the choke, and securing the tap.
Just 22 years old, this was a solid showing for the Chute Boxe Monstro representative, who registered the 16th first-round finish of the season and made sure there has been at least one opening round stoppage every week so far this season. This was his toughest test to date, and Tobias passed with flying colors.
Javier Reyes leaned on his experience and aggression to dispatch Justice Torres in the opening round.
The 31-year-old from Colombia took his time working forward and taking the fight to Torres, warming into the contest after its opening minute. A right hand to the body backed Torres up and proved to be the beginning of the end, as Reyes recognized his Houston-based opponent was hurt and swarmed, uncorking a torrent of offense that left Torres sat down and covering up.
Reyes has now earned consecutive stoppage victories and earned finishes in each of his last seven wins. He’s faced solid competition the whole way along, going 12-2 over his last 14 fights, and looked outstanding in this one.
Jeisla Chaves and Sofia Montenegro engaged in a bloody, punishing battle in the middle of Tuesday night’s fight card.
When the scorecards were collected and tallied, it was Chaves that came out ahead, landing on the happy side of the split decision verdict. For the second time this season, the women brought it and had UFC President Dana White on his feet, thrilled with the display of heart, grit, and tenacity on display in front of him.
Murtazai Magomedov made surprisingly quick work of fellow unbeaten featherweight Brahyam Zurcher, running his record to 10-0 with a first-round stoppage win.
Just over a minute into the opening stanza, Magomedov connected with a sharp, tight jab that staggered Zurcher, sending him stumbling backwards. Magomedov instantly pounced, continuing to land clean, punishing blows that left Zurcher covering up along the fence.
Mantas Kondratavicius closed out Week 7 with a bang, flooring Djani Barbir with a thudding right hand to the side of the head, dispatching him in a hurry and bouncing him from the ranks of the unbeaten in the process.
Just a devastating right hand to kick off the finishing sequence and another outstanding performance from the streaking Kondratavicius.
