The Contender Series returned Tuesday, with four fights going down live from the new UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas.
Dana White’s Contender Series kicked off its third season Tuesday, June 18 in Las Vegas, NV. Dropping the “Tuesday Night” portion of the title, the new Contender Series opened at a new venue in Las Vegas. Gone is the old TUF Gym. In is the brand new UFC APEX facility, which is expected to hold future UFC-related productions as well.
For the first time in the show’s history, meanwhile, a fight was dropped from a Contender Series card. Brok Weaver vs. Leon Shahbazyan had been expected to feature on the season opener. However, it was later reported by MMA Junkie that Shahbazyan was ruled medically ineligible to continue his weight cut. As a result, the night was set to proceed with just four fights.
It looks like (@laalaakali) is the last one at 116. Brok Weaver’s fight with Leon Shahbazyan has been scrapped. #DWCS #ContenderSeries pic.twitter.com/vLu1NaI5lY
— Rodney James Edgar 🗯 (@RodneyJames138) June 17, 2019
The featured fight of the evening sees middleweights Punahele Soriano and Jamie Pickett clash. Pickett (9-3) entered the night on a two-fight win streak, while Hawaii’s Soriano (5-0) was an undefeated fighter with appearances for LFA, Titan FC, and PFL. A full preview of the card can be found here.
The action streams live on ESPN+ in the U.S., and UFC Fight Pass internationally. Cageside Press will be live in Las Vegas for the show — check below for live results!
Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3 Week 1 Results:
Punahele Soriano vs. Jamie Pickett
Punahele Soriano def. Jamie Pickett by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Hannah Goldy vs. Kali Robbins
Bill Algeo vs. Brendan Loughnane
Brendan Loughnane (@Brendan265) def. Bill Algeo (@ElSenorPerfecto) via Unanimous Decision in Round Three (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yorgan De Castro vs. Alton Meeks
Yorgan De Castro (@DecastroYorgan) def. Alton Meeks (@Murda_Meeks) via TKO in Round One (4:45)
Awarded UFC contracts after Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3: Yorgan De Castro, Punahele Soriano