Greg Hardy was back on the Contender Series in Week 16 of the show, looking to prove his debut earlier in the second season was no fluke.
Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series returned for the eighth and final installment of its second season on August 7. Atop the card at the season finale, none other than controversial former NFL star Greg Hardy, who earned a developmental deal earlier in the year. That deal nabbed him the headlining slot in the final outing of the season, opposite fellow heavyweight Tebaris Gordon, who boasted a 3-0 record coming into the night.
Hardy, of course, was 1-0 thus far in his career, after an unbeaten run as an amateur.
Elsewhere on the DWTNCS 16 card, featherweights Bobby Moffett and Jacob Kilburn squared off, as well as another pair of hopefuls at 145lbs — J.R. Coughran and Alex Giplin.
Check back throughout the evening for results and a recap of the night’s action at Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series 16.
J.R. Coughran vs. Alex Gilpin
Featherweights Coughran and Gilpin kicked off the evening at DWTNCS 16. Coughran got a slick leg kick/punch combo off the open the round, and would mix things up throughout the early going. Spinning kicks, hard right hands, leg kicks — he had Gilpin on his heels early. Gilpin looked to counter, but was losing in the volume department. Gilpin would wind up cut with just over a minute to go, but it was Gilpin opening up and throwing hands then, with Coughran answering in what was quickly becoming a stand-up war. At the end of the round, Gilpin managed to score a brief takedown off a spinning back kick by Coughlin, and they’d go to second.
Coughlin landed an uppercut early in the second, and things seemed to have picked up where they left off. Gilpin switched stances after eating some more leg kicks, then landed a takedown only for Coughlin to pop back up. Gilpin would go back to the well, taking him down again and looking for a D’arce choke. Just when it looked like Coughlin would break free, he tapped! Gilpin had the win!
Alex Gilpin def. J.R. Coughlin by submission (D’Arce Choke), Round 2, 1:55
Bobby Moffett vs. Jacob Kilburn
Moffett opened up the action in the night’s second featherweight battle with a big right, before getting the fight to the ground and getting in top control. He’d move to half-guard and look to move to mount, as well as threatening with an arm triangle choke. Moffett would stay on top and in control for the remainder of the round, moving to mount in the final 90 seconds. Yet Kilburn hung on to see a second round, despite being dominated throughout the first.
In the second, Moffett quickly got the fight back to the ground, and sunk in a D’Arce choke. That got the tap. Just a little bit of deja vu, with both featherweight fights ending in the second round via D’arce choke.
Bobby Moffett def. Jacob Kilburn by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 2, 1:02
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Dennis Bryant
Light heavyweight action was up next, which saw Kennedy Nzechukwu working his jab from the outside early. He then threw a head kick just as Dennis Bryant was shooting in. Bryant looked in trouble for a moment, but recovered. Nzechukwu however was using his reach well. Another head kick clipped Bryant, and after he dropped, Nzechukwu moved in with the ground strikes, finishing the job!
Nzechukwu makes it 3 straight finishes!
Head kick + hammer fists = finish! pic.twitter.com/LhBxzH9nOB
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2018
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Dennis Bryant by TKO, Round 1, 1:48
Joseph Lowery vs. Devonte Smith
A bit of a feeling out process opened up the evening’s lone lightweight fight, then Devonte Smith hit home with a leg kick that landed with a crack. Lowery would land a combination, closing the distance, while Smith was able to connect with a few glancing blows as well — plus another nasty leg kick. Moments later, Lowery would shoot in for a takedown, only to be met with a barrage of nasty elbows by Smith! Before long the ref waved it off, and Smith had the TKO win.
Devonte Smith def. Joseph Lowery by knockout, Round 1, 2:52
Greg Hardy vs. Tebaris Gordon
Greg Hardy made no mistake in his second pro fight. Swinging for the fences immediately, he backed Gordon up against the fence, and began connecting with a flurry of strikes, even mixing in a knee. A blow to the temple dropped Gordon, and Hardy began dropping hammer fists to finish it off. Good night.
Greg Hardy def. Tabaris Gordon by TKO, Round 1, 0:17
After the dust had settled, Dana White announced that Kennedy Nzechukwu Devonte Smith, and Bobby Moffett would be awarded UFC contracts. Greg Hardy, meanwhile, would continue on in his developmental deal.
Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series 16 Results:
Greg Hardy def. Tabaris Gordon by TKO, Round 1, 0:17
Devonte Smith def. Joseph Lowery by knockout, Round 1, 2:52
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Dennis Bryant by TKO, Round 1, 1:48
Bobby Moffett def. Jacob Kilburn by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 2, 1:02
Alex Gilpin def. J.R. Coughlin by submission (D’Arce Choke), Round 2, 1:55
