Las Vegas — New opponent, no problem. Brazilian middleweight Ryan Gandra got the job done on Week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2025, earning himself a UFC contract after a first-round finish of Trent Miller.
Following the card, Gandra (8-1) spoke to media outlets including Cageside Press about the change of opponents, which came rather short notice.
“My opponent got changed kind of last minute. So we went from a guy that was bigger, that had the same kind of level of volume and less punching power, and we went to a guy that was smaller, but had less volume but more punching power,” he noted, speaking via translator backstage at the UFC Apex. “So it showed my team that we will be able to be ready for anybody. We’ll just get everything down, we’ll study, and no matter what opponent you put in front of us and how soon or how close to a fight a change can happen, we’ll be out there and we’ll be prepared for that fight.”
Prior to his run up to the UFC, Ryan Gandra had worked in sanitation, and as an electrician. That allowed him to put bread on the table, but eventually, a choice had to be made: work full time, or fight.
“Decisions had to be made, man. I worked a lot, and I worked on a lot of things. And I had to make a decision. It’s a tough one, because you have to provide for your family. It’s always tough, because things are going to get tight. But I knew it my heart it was going to be the right decision, and I was able to make it. So I’m very happy with the decision I made.”
“It paid off, here I am. I’m a UFC fighter now and I’ll tell you want: it’s rewarding, and write my name down. Ryan Gandra, the next champion of the UFC,” he finished.
Watch the full Dana White’s Contender Series 2025 Week 3 post-fight press conference with Ryan Gandra above.
