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Dan Hooker

Salahdine Parnasse took just half a round to find the perfect body kick and follow up strikes to stop (#12) Dan Hooker in the main event Saturday. The finish earned Parnasse a performance bonus in his promotional debut. As for Dan, the 36-year-old is now 14-11 with the UFC since being signed in 2014. Hooker has lost his last three straight and been finished in each (Arman Tsarukyan, Benoit Saint Denis). What a turn of events as Hooker was on a 3-0 run in the stretch before the losing streak.

Hooker’s next fight should be against the loser of Grant Dawson vs. Nurullo Aliev. Dawson is currently rounding out the rankings at lightweight so that’ll keep this a lucrative bout for Hooker. Dan has cemented himself as the gatekeeper of the rankings for the highly competitive lightweight division. Dawson and Aliev are scheduled to fight on October 24th, so the timing isn’t the greatest. Dawson is 12-2 with the UFC since being signed in 2019. Nurullo is 4-0 since coming of the 2022 season of the Contender Series. Giving Hooker the loser of this bout could make a lot of since, both fighters have stellar records but are missing that ‘name-power’ on their respective fight resumes. Hooker could provide that matchup, and winner could potentially sneak into the rankings. This could also potentially be a small APEX card main event, or at least in a co main event slot.

Hooker’s next fight: Loser of (#15) Grant Dawson vs. Nurullo Aliev

Fares Ziam

Axel Sola landed a nasty overhand right on Fares Ziam early in the first round on Saturday. The shout put Ziam out cold. The scary KO also earned Axel a performance bonus. ‘The Smile Killer” now falls to 18-6 as a pro and 8-4 while under the UFC’s banner. Ziam has now lost two in a row, after losing a unanimous decision to Tom Nolan back in June. Prior to that, Ziam was riding an impressive 6-fight win streak- how the tables have turned.

For Ziam’s next fight, he should take on Kaue Fernandes. Ziam was scheduled to take on Kaue last September. Both fighters have had just one fight since the canceled bout, and both have been stopped in the first round. Perfect one to rebook here. Fernandes is 3-2 in the UFC, but his first loss was his debut in 2023 (split decision to Marc Diakiese). In his last time out, he took on the formerly ranked, Jalin Turner. Good matchup and great reset fight for both fighters. Could easily be on the main card of a fight night card.

Ziam’s next fight: Kaue Fernandes

Nursulton Ruziboev

(#8) Michael Page turned in yet another nearly flawless striking and distance control clinic on Saturday with his unanimous decision victory over (#15) Nursulton Ruziboev on the main card of UFC Paris. Nursulton just could not solve that tricky puzzle that is ‘MVP’. Ruziboev now falls to 5-2 with the UFC. Ruziboev’s other loss within the UFC came to Joaquin Buckley in 2024, he was riding a 3-fight win streak since then.

Nursulton’s next fight should be against Kelvin Gastelum. This is pick works especially well if Nursulton is on the shelf for a while after this loss due to injury. Kelvin recently withdrew from his fight against Yousri Belgaroui this month so potentially that’s a matchup that could line up. Kelvin is 2-2 in his last four fights and is coming off a first-round stoppage loss to Vicente Luque back in April at UFC 327. Interesting, fan-forward matchup here that could easily land on the undercard of a PPV card and with a win either fighter could sneak into the rankings (assuming Nursulton slides out of the middleweight ranks with potential injury-caused inactivity).

Ruziboev’s next fight: Kelvin Gastelum

Punahele Soriano

Daniil Donchenko turned in a dominant performance on Saturday against Punahele Soriano to stay undefeated within the UFC. Soriano now falls to 13-5 as a pro and is 7-5 with the promotion. This loss snapped an impressive win streak for Soriano which saw him defeat Miguel Baeza, Nikolay Veretennikov, Ramiz Barahimaj and stop Uros Medic.

For Soriano’s next fight he should take on Joel Alvarez. Joel fought on the prelims of UFC 330 last month and lost a unanimous decision to Chidi Njokunai. That brought Joel’s UFC record down to 8-4 and gave him the first losing streak of his career. Alvarez is now 1-2 since moving to the welterweight division in 2025. Joel went 7-2 in the lightweight division losing only to Damir Ismagulov in his debut (2019), and Arman Tsarukyan in 2022. But he missed weight ahead of two of his lightweight performances. Great matchup here that also respects the win streak the Soriano went on prior to this. And Alvarez is still trying to find his footing within the weight class.

Soriano’s next fight: Joel Alvarez

Trevor Peek

Kurtis Campbell notched the first victory of his UFC career on Saturday as he forced Trevor Peek to tap in the final round of their bout on the main card of UFC Paris. Peek, a 2022 Contender Series product, has proved himself to be extremely entertaining but still possess a promotional record of 2-4. Peek is now on a 3-fight skid and that was the first time he’s been stopped as a pro.  His victories within the UFC are against Erick Gonzalez and Mohammad Yahya (neither of which are still with the promotion).

Trevor is in a bit of a hot seat here. His next fight should be against the loser of Sean King vs. Jessie Rosas. That fight goes down on the 12th, so the timing won’t be an issue. Both are making their promotional debuts. Rosas who is 8-1` was supposed to make his debut against Miles Johns last month but withdrew. Johns is 7-5, 1 NC with the UFC. Sean King is 6-0 as a pro and at 22-years-old has only gone the distance one time. He turned pro last year.  Huge asterisk by this pick, as who knows what will go down with two fighters making promotional debuts.  But, with that said surely Peek’s position with the promotion is in jeopardy. This would be an entertaining fight either way, with the winner liking staying on the roster however way each of those fights go.

Peek’s next fight: Sean King vs. Jessie Rosas loser 

Muhammad Naimov

Losene Keita kicked off the main card of UFC Paris on Saturday with a vicious overhand right KO that floored Muhammad Naimov in the first round. The performance earned Keita a bonus and was his first win with the UFC, after losing his debut. Muhammad is now 5-3 with the UFC since being signed in 2023. Naimov started off hot, winning three in a row but is now on a 2-fight losing skid, and has been finished in both appearances.

Muhammad’s next fight should be against Morgan Charriere. Morgan just before Naimov in the feature prelim spot, on the undercard on Saturday. He lost a unanimous decision to Felipe Lima. Charriere is now 3-4 with the promotion since being signed in 2023. Before Morgan’s fight with Lima he was finished, via head kick, by Melquizel Costa in 74 seconds. It was the first time that Morgan had been finished as a pro fighter. Charriere hasn’t stopped reeling from this fight and one could even make the argument he hasn’t quite found his footing within the UFC.  This could be a solid action-packed fight to see who could bounce back from somewhat similar circumstances, and a pretty similar timetable.

Naimov’s next fight: Morgan Charriere

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A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Brandon Holmes (6-1 MMA)

Age: 29 years old

Height: 6’2″ / Reach: 74″

Weight Class: Middleweight (185lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 2)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Cam Rowston (15-3 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 4)

New Opponent: Modestino Rodrigues (7-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Brandon Holmes had at least a four-fight amateur MMA career, including a title victory over a 3-1 fighter.

Holmes turned pro in 2023 and went 3-0 in the smaller promotions. With two finishes and a unanimous decision under his belt, Holmes took on a then 6-5, Zack Borrego on Fury FC 104 in May of 2024. Brandon delivered a finish with just two seconds to go in the fight. And even though Brandon had another fight booked on Fury FC the UFC called the middleweight up.

Brandon’s first Contender Series appearance was over pretty much as fast as it began. Brandon’s opponent immediately hurt him with a right hand then swarmed him with a barrage of well-placed strikes. When the dust settled Holmes had suffered the first loss of his pro career just over half a round.

First Contender Series Opponent

Cam Rowston, Brandon’s opponent, earned a contract as a result of his first-round finish. Rowston was actually a fighter looking redemption on the Contender Series from the 2024 season, so the signing wasn’t surprising.

The City Kickboxing fighter made his UFC debut a month and a week later as he fought a then 13-4 Andre Petroski. Rowston made quick work of Petroski, who was 8-3 with the promotion, stopping him midway through the first round.

Rowston appeared four months later at the end of January on the undercard of UFC 325. Cam took on the hyper-active Cody Brundage who was 6-6-1, 1 NC with the promotion heading into that bout. Cam stopped Brundage late in the second round with punches from back mount.

In Rowston’s most recent fight, he fought 18-6, Robert Bryczek to a unanimous decision victory. Bryczek entered that fight with a 1-1 promotional record, including a stoppage-victory over vet Brad Tavares.

Rowston is again scheduled to compete on a Volk card, this time on the prelims of UFC 333 in late October. Cam has drawn a ranked opponent this time as well, as he takes on the #14 ranked Abus Magomedov.

Cam has been putting in work in the middleweight division, and is super active, meaning this loss couldn’t have aged any better for Brandon at this exact moment.

The Road Back

Brandon has had one fight scheduled and competed one time since his first appearance on the Contender Series.

Rowston took on a 4-0 Preston LaGrange on the main card of Fury 112 back in January. Cam smoked his opponent, violently slamming him and stopping him with ground n’ pound punches midway through the first round. That performance in combination with all that his first Contender Series opponent has been doing since last year makes him a pretty easy fighter to bring back, especially within the middleweight division.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his second appearance on the Contender Series, Brandon will be taking on Modestino Rodrigues. This isn’t Modestino’s second time being here, but he is more experienced in professional MMA than Brandon. Modestino is also a veteran of the K-1 Kickboxing Grand Prix 2025.

Rodrigues is very dangerous and gets the job done in a hurry more often times than not. His one loss was to a an 0-2 fighter that stopped him in one minute. His best win was against a 4-0 Virgilio Ailton in his most recent pro MMA fight (June 2025). Looks like Modestino is mostly blowing guys up in the first round, with his latest fight being 69 seconds into the second round. Fans should expect a true edge of your seat middleweight fight. And the winner is absolutely getting a contract.

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A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Adam “Bomb” Livingston (7-1 MMA)

Age: 25 years old

Height: 6’2″ / Reach: 73.5″

Weight Class: Lightweight (155lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 6)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Tommy Gantt (12-0 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 4)

New Opponent: Hunter Smith (8-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Adam Livingston had a seven-fight amateur combat sports career beginning in early 2020. He was a multiple time champion and went 6-2 as an ammy in MMA. When Adam went pro in 2022, he continued fighting under the Flex Fights promotion.  Submitting his then 0-11, opponent in the first. Livingston would appear couple more times under the New York based regional promotion. One of those fights would include him beating a 1-0 fighter for the vacant Lightweight Flex Fights strap. But Livingston would also fight in larger regional promotions like CFFC and LFA.

After defeating via finish a then 8-4 Hugo Oyarzun, who had cage time against future UFC-level competition, Livingston got the call.

In Livingston’s first Contender Series appearance he was never able to really get anything going against his opponent. Adam was completely overwhelmed by the wrestling of his opponent and committed multiple fence grabs. Just midway through the round, Adam got caught in a guillotine and was submitted.

First Contender Series Opponent

Adam’s first opponent on the Contender Series, Tommy Gantt, received a UFC contract for his round one victory. Gantt also improved to 8-0.

The NC State University alum would not make his promotional debut till May when he was supposed to take on an 18-7 Trey Ogden, who is 3-3, 1 NC with the UFC. But Ogden withdrew due to injury.

Instead, Tommy fought 7-0 Fury FC regional product Artur Minev in what was also his UFC debut. Tommy smothered Artur with more chain wrestling and then he could handle, eventually getting the second-round TKO.

Gantt has been booked to fight 16-3-1 Drakkar Klose on the undercard of Noche UFC on September 12. Klose is close to being a 10-year vet of the UFC with a 10-3 promotional record. Obviously, UFC brass thinks highly of Gantt.

Makes sense for Livingston to get a second look as well.

The Road Back

Since his first appearance on the Contender Series Adam has had two booked fights and one cancellation.

Livingston was supposed to fight a 3-2 Quintezs Sapp (who also had at least eight amateur MMA fights under his belt). That fight was scheduled for back in February.

In May Livingston fought a 7-3 Kyle Pufahl on the main card of LFA 232. Livingston landed a highlight reel worthy spinning back elbow to get the victory towards the end of the second round.

That in combination with having faced a fighter like Gantt in his first appearance, and it’s an obvious fighter to bring back.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Livingston will take on Hunter Smith. Hunter had at least a six-fight amateur MMA career including winning a championship with the Gulf Coast promotion.

Most of Hunter’s fights were under the regional Louisiana based promotion, American Kombat Alliance (AKA). Smith’s one loss was to Elliot Hebert, who was 2-1 when he submitted Hunter in 2024. Smith’s most recent fight, back in March was the rematch the AKA championship. Hunter delivered with a first-round KO and birthed his appearance on the Contender Series.

Smith has only heard the final bell twice in his career. He’s got some vicious punches, so it’ll be a totally different, and probably more welcome, look this time around on the show.

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Umar Nurmagomedov

#6 Song Yadong identified and exploited a weakness in (# 2) Umar Nurmagomedov’s gameplan on Saturday to KO the fighter in the wild UFC Shanghai main event. The loss was just Umar’s second in his 22-fight pro MMA career. This is the first time that the Russian has been stopped. Umar’s other loss came against the champion, Merab Dvalishvili, in an unsuccessful title shot back in early January. Umar is now 8-2 with the UFC since being signed in 2021.

Umar’s next fight should be against Farid Bashart. Couple of other potential matchups on the horizon but I really like trying Umar against a relatively unknown prospect streaking across 135lbs. Bashart is a 2022 Contender Series product that is 7-0 with the UFC. He only has one finish with the promotion but is still looking for that signature win and a worthy opponent. Bashart was supposed to take on Ethyn Ewing in his most recent bout back in July. But after Ewing withdrew due to injury, he thrashed a short notice 6-1, John Garza instead. Great reset matchup for the promotion to push a completely new face and for Umar to show he’s still a level above.

Nurmagomedov’s next fight: (#9) Farid Bashart

Yan Xiaonan

(#9) Denise Gomes landed a picture-perfect short elbow to spell the beginning of the end for (#4) Yan Xiaonan in the pair’s co main event fight on Saturday. A brutal KO for Yan to suffer. It also sets her on a losing streak for just the second time in her pro MMA career. Yan has now lost three of her last four fights, stemming from an unsuccessful title shot opposite of Zhang Weili in early 2024. Xiaonan is now 9-5 with the UFC in what is approaching a decade with the promotion.

After a scary finish like that, Yan could very well be on the shelf for a while. But when she comes back, a good matchup would be pairing her against (#12) Tabatha Ricci. This matchup was identified in a previous losers article. Ricci last fought in July and was thrashed by Fatima Kline. She’s lost three of her last four including a unanimous decision to Yan in 2024. This would be an interesting one to run back considering both fighters’ trajectories lately.

Xiaonan’s next fight: Tabatha Ricci rematch 

Aoriqileng

Former RIZIN champion, Kai Asakura, looked back in old form once again on Saturday with his early second round melting of Aoriqileng. The TKO was initiated by a picture-perfect kick and ended with Aoriqileng in a heap and on a two-fight skid. Aoriqileng has now lost three of his last four bouts since 2024. He’s 4-6, 1 NC with the UFC in his five-year tenure under the promotional banner.

Many would love to pair Aoriqileng up with Cameron Smotherman. This is a matchup that was mentioned in a previous loser’s article. Unfortunately, Smotherman was cut after losing to Kai earlier this year. Another good fight for Aoriqileng would be to give him the loser of Ricky Simon vs. Montel Jackson. Especially if that fight ends in a finish. Simon is coming off a draw to Adrian Yanez and lost to Raoni Barcelos in the fight prior. Montel is on a 2-fight skid, losing a pair of split decisions to Deivsion Figueirdo and Raoni Barcelos. Simon would be 10-7-1, with the UFC with a loss. Jackson would be 9-5.

Aoriqileng’s next fight: Loser of Ricky Simon vs. #15 Montel Jackson (especially if a finish)

Alex Perez

The five-year free fall of Alex Perez continued on Saturday as he was narrowly bested over the course of three rounds by (#13) Sumudaerji on the main card of UFC Shanghai. The fight was an immediate rematch from a no contest in May, after Perez couldn’t continue after an accidental groin strike. Including his loss to then flyweight champion, Devieson Figueiredo in 2020, Perez has gone 2-6, 1 NC. A pretty abysmal turn of fate, bringing the 2017 Contender Series alum’s promotional record to 8-7, 1 NC.

Alex’s next fight should be against Cody Durden. Cody is another fighter that has been in something of a free fall lately. Durden has lost five of his last six fights dating back to late 2024. His only sin during that stretch was opposite Jafel Filho earlier this year. Durden is 7-9-1 since being signed to the UFC in 2020. Cody was last in action back in July when he was submitted by Alessandro Costa on the undercard of UFC 329. Costa is currently rounding out the top 15 of the flyweight division so this would be the perfect matchup for Perez.

Perez’s next fight: Cody Durden 

Levi Rodrigues Jr.

Liu Ce came out on top of a one round light heavyweight firefight on the main card of UFC Shanghai against Levi Rodrigues Jr. on Saturday. The entertaining slugfest won both men fight of the night honors.  Rodriguez, a veteran of the 2025 season of the Contender Series is now 0-2 with the UFC. He’s also been finished in both outings, which is a nerve-racking position to be in.

Levi’s next fight should be against Kevin Christian. Kevin is 0-2 with the UFC since being signed off the 2024 season of the Contender Series. He’s a dynamic 6’7″ tall fighter that has already been finished twice with the promotion, both times in the first round. Kevin was finished via submission in his promotional debut to Billy Elekana and was stopped in his last time out by Junior Tafa. Considering Tafa was Liu’s original opponent for UFC Shanghai, before he withdrew, this could be a fairly interesting and evenly matched bout.

Rodrigues’s next fight: Kevin Christian 

Nilson Rojas

Bilal Hasan kicked off the main card of UFC Shanghai with a highlight reel straight right finish over Nilson Rojas. Both men entered the fight undefeated as pro fighters, but only Hasan exited with the same unblemished record. Rojas is now 9-1 as a pro as he lost his UFC debut to a Contender Series product also making his promotional debut.

Nilson’s next fight should be against Luis Gurule. Luis is 1-4 with the UFC since being signed of the 2024 season of the Contender Series. His lone victory came earlier this year via a unanimous decision nod against Daniel Barez. Gurule was last in action back in late May when he was submitted in the first round by Rei Tsuruya (who won on the undercard of UFC Shanghai). Two hardnosed guys who aren’t afraid to come forward, no matter the odds. The timing could be a little off for this one. But it’s still a matchup that could keep a lot of fans on the edges of their seats.

Rojas’s next fight: Luis Gurule

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A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Guilherme Uriel (7-2 MMA)

Age: 29 years old

Height: 6’1″ / Reach: ?″

Weight Class: Heavyweight (265lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 2)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Josh Hokit (10-0 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 3)

New Opponent: Mario Piazzon (10-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Guilherme was 6-1 entering his first Contender Series bout. At the time, Uriel was a five-fight veteran of the LFA promotion. All of his victories came via first round stoppage. Guilherme also lost his fifth pro fight against a then 4-0 Lucas Camacho, who stopped Guilherme in the first round. Lucas went on to fight on the 2024 season of the Contender Series where he lost to Mario Pinto (Pinto is now 3-0 with the UFC so Camacho could be a redemption fighter we see in the future).

In Guilherme’s first Contender Series fight he was mauled and overwhelmed by the relentless pace and wrestling of his opponent. Eventually Uriel was worn down and -grounded ‘n pounded out with some well-placed shots from his opponent.

First Contender Series Opponent

Uriel’s first Contender Series opponent was Josh Hokit. Josh has been on fire since stopping Uriel last year. Obviously after the performance, a memorable promo, Hokit was awarded a UFC contract.

Hokit made his debut against a 5-1, Max Gimenis in November and stopped him in 56 seconds. The finish earned Hokit a performance bonus.

In his next bout, back in January of this year, Hokit smashed Denzel Freeman who retired in the last second of the first round. That victory on the undercard of UFC 324, also earned Hokit a performance bonus.

Then in April, Hokit fought Curtis Blaydes and won a unanimous decision in an early fight of the year contender. That fight was on the main card of UFC 327 and won Josh fight of the night honors.

Hokit fought again in June on UFC Freedom 250 where he stopped UFC veteran Derrick Lewis with punches in the second round of their bout.

Hokit is now the #6 ranked UFC heavyweight so, it’s a loss that has aged gracefully for Uriel.

The Road Back

Since his first Contender Series appearance last year, Uriel has competed once and had two cancelled bouts.

Uriel took on a 2-2 Leonardo Fraga at LFA 229 and finished him in just 96 seconds.

Considering all the clout that Gilherme’s first opponent has earned under the UFC banner it’s no surprise Uriel gets an invitation back after winning just one bout.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his second chance on the Contender Series Guilherme will be taking on another fighter looking for his shot at redemption, Mario Piazzon.

As is usually the case when two redemption fighters meet, this one is guaranteed to be a banger. Extremely unlikely that the winner doesn’t walk out of the UFC APEX without a contract.

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A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Mario Piazzon (10-1 MMA)

Age: 28 years old

Height: 5’11″ / Reach: 73″

Weight Class: Heavyweight (265lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2023 (Week 8)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Alexander Soldatkin (18-4 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 3)

New Opponent: Guilherme Uriel (7-2 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Before competing on the Contender Series for the first time, Mario was wrecking his opponents on the regional circuit in Brazil. A veteran of the Demo Fight promotion, Mario finished five of his seven opponents (one of his seven bouts was flagged for ineligibility by Tapology).

Mario was the Demo Fight heavyweight champion and successfully defended his belt twice.

In his first Contender Series fight, Mario engaged in a grind fest of clinching and grappling until the fight was ended in the third round when Mario’s opponent landed an illegal knee. Because Piazzon was unable to continue after a knee to the head while considered grounded, the fight was scored as a DQ victory for Piazzon.

First Contender Series Opponent

Mario’s opponent on his first appearance on the Contender Series was Alexander Soldatkin. Obviously, Soldatkin didn’t earn a UFC contract. Soldatkin would go on to compete and win a pro kickboxing fight. Then after a one-off bout with Ecipse Fight Night, Soldatkin was signed to RIZIN. There he is 3-0 and won the heavyweight tournament championship last September over a 9-4, Marek Samociuk.

Soldatkin was eve supposed to take on Ryan Bader on New Years Eve 2025, but Bader withdrew due to injury. Alexander is definitely an opponent that has aged well for Mario, despite not being under the UFC’s banner.

The Road Back

Since appearing on the Contender Series in 2023, Piazzon has competed 5 times. He’s gone 4-1 over that stretch.

First, Piazzon took on Michel Lomba in May of 2024 in a bout that has been omitted from his professional record due to ineligibility (the entire card in question has been stricken from the record by Tapology due to lack of proper documentation).

In July of 2024, Piazzon took on a then 9-2, Andre Vieira. Piazzon finished his opponent deep in the second round in a tough fight.

In March of 2025, after two cancelled bouts, Piazzon took on 15-39, last second replacement, Alex Junius. Alex did the improbable, stunning Piazzon and handing him his first loss, stopping him in just half a round.

In his next bout, which was in September of 2025, Mario took on a then 11-9, Fernando Batista. Piazzon finished the fight via ground ‘n pound near the end of the second round.

And in his most recent fight back in March, Maro defeated a then, 9-4, Andre Vieira, to punch his return ticket back to the Contender Series.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Mario will be taking on Guilherme Uriel. Guilherme is actually on his own quest for redemption as he appeared on the 2025 Season of the Contender Series. 

Redemption fights seem to always bring extra action and energy into the octagon so fans can expect this fight to deliver and produce a new edition to the UFC roster (potentially two).

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Anthony Hernandez

(#10) Greogory Rodrigues and (#7) Anthony Hernandez went to war over the course of five rounds with Rodrigues ultimately logging the unanimous decision victory to cap off UFC Sacramento on Saturday. The bout also won Fight of the Night honors. Hernandez is now on a losing streak for the first time in his pro career as he’s now lost two in a row. The 2018 Contender Series alum is 9-4 with the UFC and has lost to Markus Perez, Kevin Holland and Sean Strickland.

Anthony’s next fight should be against Kamaru Usman. This was a matchup that was identified as a possibility in a previous edition of losers. Usman, the former welterweight champion is 1-4 in his last five bouts. Usman has had two decision losses a middleweight and a win over Joaquin Buckley in his last three bouts. His last time out was back in July when he lost a five-round fight of the night against former middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis. This would be a solid litmus test for Usman at middleweight and could do a lot of heavy lifting. Backup here would be the loser of Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Michael Venom Page. Those two fight on September 5th so timing would be great. MVP is 4-1 with the UFC. And Nursulton is 5-1 with the UFC. This fight could also make sense if that Uman bout doesn’t materialize.

Hernandez’s next fight: Kamaru Usman or (#15) Nursulton Ruziboev vs. (#8) Michael Venom Page loser

Serghei Spivac

(#11) Vitor Petrino kept it rolling on Saturday as he got the job done via unanimous decision over (#9) Serghei Spivac. Serghei now falls to 9-7 with the UFC since being signed to the promotion in 2019. Spivac has also lost three of his last four bouts (Jailton Almedia and Waldo Cortes-Acosta) and his only win in the stretch was against Ante Delija.

Serghei’s next fight should be against the loser of (#15) Ryan Spann and (#12) Brando Pericic. Those two are scheduled to fight on September 5th, so the timing would be perfect. Spann is 10-6 with the UFC since coming off of the 2018 season of the Contender Series. Ryan has won three of his last four fights, only losing to Waldo Cortes Acosta in that stretch. Pinto is undefeated as a pro and 3-0 with the UFC since coming off the 2024 season of the Contender Series.  Whoever loses in September could potentially slide out of the rankings, so a fight with Spivac would essentially be to round out the ranks of the heavyweight division.

Spivac’s next fight: Loser of (#15) Ryan Spann vs. (#12) Brando Pericic. 

Roman Dolidze

Reinier de Ridder moved up to the light heavyweight division on Saturday and took less than a round to get the TKO over Roman Dolidze. Roman, who was moving up to the 205lbs. division for the first time since 2024 himself, is now on a 3-fight skid. Dolidze is 9-6 with the UFC since being signed in 2020. Roman is 6-5 as a middleweight and 3-1 as a light heavyweight.

Roman’s next fight should be against Jared Cannonier. This matchup was also identified in a previous edition of losers. Jared has lost four of his last five fights and last fought against Christian Leroy Duncan in July, Great fight between two tenured UFC vets.

If Dolidze elects to stay at 205lbs. he should fight the loser of Felipe Franco vs. Alexander Poppeck. Franco is 11-2 as a pro and 1-1 with the UFC. He lost to Mario Pinto in his debut and just earned a performance bonus for his victory of Levi Rodrigues Jr. Poppeck is 21-6 as a pro and is 0-1 with the UFC. Poppeck made his promotional debut on short notice and up a weight class when he took on Jovan Leka at the beginning of this month. Dolidze could either draw a young hungry fighter or a veteran that has yet to prove himself within the UFC.

Dolidze’s next fight at 185lbs.: Jared Cannonier 

Dolidze’s next fight at 205lbs.: Loser of Felipe Franco vs. Alexander Poppeck

Mason Jones

MarQuel Mederos earned himself a performance bonus on Saturday with his brutalization and finishing of Mason Jones in the second round of their bout. Jones is now 4-3, 1 NC in under the UFC’s banner. Jones is currently on his second stint with the promotion after going 1-2, 1 NC from 2021-2022. This is Mason’s first loss since being resigned to the UFC and it snaps a 7-fight win streak.

Mason’s next fight should be against Nasrat Haqparast. Nasrat was on the undercard of UFC Sacramento and lost in the final second of the final round via arm triangle choke against Chris Padilla. Nasrrat is 10-6 with the UFC since being signed in 2017. He’s currently on a 2-fight skid and has been finished in both fights. Prior to that, Haqparast was on a 5-fight win streak, so similar situation to Jones. Timing would make sense and this could be a high action fight as Jones is rarely in a boring bout.

Jones’s next fight: Nasrat Haqparast 

Jeisla Chaves

Carli Judice earned herself a performance bonus with her 99-second destruction of Jeisla Chaves. The finish was initiated by a wicked body kick, giving Chaves the very first loss of her pro career. The 2025 Contender Series veteran won her promotional debut by split decision in June. Unfortunately, the quick turnaround didn’t keep the momentum going.

Jeisla’s next fight should be against Anna Melisano. Anna is 6-2 in pro MMA and also lost her UFC debut. Anna fought Dione Barbosa last month and was submitted late in the first. Similar records, fought within about a month of each other and both were finished in their most recent fights. Anna may be winless with the UFC but her first opponent is 4-2 with the promotion so it was good competition for a debut. Also compare that to Chaves, who made her debut against Yuneisy Duben, who was also making her promotional debut (and is now 0-2).

Chaves’s next fight: Anna Melisano 

Terrance Chatman

Anthony Wint stayed perfect to open up the main card of UFC Sacramento on Saturday with his arm triangle choke finish over Terrance Chatman in the first round. Chatman now falls to 5-2 as a pro fighter and 0-1 under the UFC banner.

Terrance’s next fight should be against Elisha Ellison. Ellison is 0-2 in the UFC and 5-3 as a pro. He lost his debut last September when he was finished by Brando Pericic. Most recently Ellison fought Gable Stevenson on the undercard of UFC 329 last month. Stevenson is a former D1 NCAA wrestler and Olympic gold medalist. That fight was also over in the first round. Ellison has been thrown to the wolves immediately within the UFC and a fight against Chatman would make sense at this moment. This matchup, of course, would also be good for Chatman who started off his promotional debut on the wrong foot too.

Chatman’s next fight: Elisha Ellison

The post What’s Next: UFC Sacramento Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Cristian Perez (14-2 MMA)

Age: 27 years old

Height: 5’9″ / Reach: 72″

Weight Class: Lightweight(155lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 3)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Manoel Sousa (14-1 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 2)

New Opponent: Logan Paxton (10-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Before his first appearance on the Contender Series, Cristian Perez was a veteran of the Combate Americas (later rebranded Combate Global) promotions. He was 10-1 with Combate Global and 3-0 under the Combate Americas banner.

Cristian also competed under the Karate Combat promotional banner in 2024 in the fight before his Contender Series appearance.

Cristian’s sole loss ahead of his first Contender Series appearance was against Enrique Gonzalez. Perez ended up losing a unanimous decision in what was the Combat Global lightweight tournament championship.

Perez largely controlled the first two rounds of his Contender Series bout against Sousa. However, with all the wrestling and grappling, by the final round Perez had exhausted himself. Sousa was able to rally and get the TKO finish late in the final round to steal the win.

First Contender Series Opponent

Manoel Sousa earned a contract as a result of his third-round finish over Cristian Perez.

Sousa would wait nearly seven months until making his octagon debut against Bolaji Oki. Manoel made the most of his first promotional appearance, stopping Oki late in the third round with a straight right. The finish earned Sousa a $100k performance bonus.

Manoel made his sophomore outing recently when he took on a 13-1, Richie Miranda on August 8th. Sousa tallied a unanimous decision victory and is now 2-0 with the UFC.

Sousa’s opponents have a combined UFC record of 2-4. But that’s not his fault. Sousa has looked great in his fights with the promotion so far, and that’s part of the reason why Perez is getting another shot.

The Road Back

Since losing on the Contender Series last year, Perez has fought one time and had one cancelled bout.

Back in April, Perez took on Gilberto Santos who entered the fight with a 6-7 record for the main event of Elite Xtreme Fighting 23 (EXF). Gonzalez took a less than half the round to finish the fight on the ground, landing damaging strikes from a back mount position.

That bout was all that UFC brass needed to see as Cristian received a return invitation to the Contender Series.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Cristian will be taking on 10-1, Logan Paxton.

Paxton has gone the distance just twice in his MMA career. One of them came in his only loss, which was his second pro fight opposite a 2-0, JaCobi Jones. Jones is now an 11-fight veteran of the LFA and had his own shot on the Contender Series back in 2023. Jones lost a decision to Daniel Allen who didn’t receive a UFC contract after his performance (and hasn’t fought since).

Combined record of the guys that Logan has fought at the time he fought them is: 45-68.

This should be a good scrap as Cristian looks to give himself a belated 27th birthday present in the form of a UFC contract.

The post Redemption: Second Chances on Dana White’s Contender Series — Cristian Perez appeared first on Cageside Press.

A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant.  Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.

In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.

Alik Lorenz (7-2 MMA)

Age: 29 years old

Height: 6’2″ / Reach: 77.5″

Weight Class: Light heavyweight (205lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 3)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev (9-0 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 2)

New Opponent: Mahamed Aly (5-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Alik Lorenz entered his first Contender Series fight as a four-fight veteran of the LFA promotion. Alik had never heard the final bell and stopped all but one of his opponents in the first round. Alik’s only loss in MMA was against Darion Abbey in his second fight. And Abbey went on to fight on the exact same Contender Series card as Lorenz last year (he was finished in the first round).

Lorenz was melted in thirty seconds in his first appearance on the Contender Series. His opponent proved to just be too much, and an onslaught of punches and a well-placed knee sealed the deal for Lorenz on that night.

First Contender Series Opponent

Alik Lorenz faced Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev in his first Contender Series appearance. Of course, Abdul received a contract for his finish over Alik.

Just three months later, in November of 2025, Abdul made his promotional debut against a then 11-3, Raffael Cerqueira. The fight lasted a little over 30 seconds before Abdul secured a rear naked choke.

A little over four months later, back in April, Abdul took on Brendson Ribeiro for his first promotional appearance on a main card. Ribeiro lasted nearly three minutes but ultimately was submitted with a rear naked choke.

Most recently, Abdul took just eight seconds to drop and stop Julius Walker back in late June. That finish earned him a performance bonus and a huge step up in competition and visibility.

Abdul currently has a bout booked against Nikita Krylov on the prelims of UFC 333. Krylov is 12-10 within the UFC, recently ranked and coming off a loss to a former UFC middleweight champion in (#11) Robert Whittaker. A huge step up.

Alik’s loss has aged incredibly well as Abdul is within one win from drawing a ranked fight.

The Road Back

Since August 26th of 2025 Alik has had just one pro MMA fight. This fight came back in March when he took on Gabriel Thimoteo on LFA 228. The 5-6 fighter was no match for Alik who stopped him in under 30 seconds with a right hook and ground n’ pound. Gabriel has a loss on his record against Tuco Tokkos who is 1-3 with the UFC.

This result along with how well his former opponent is doing within the UFC was enough to birth a second opportunity on the Contender Series for Alik.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Alik Lorenz will be taking on Mahamed Aly. Mahamed is also a fighter that is seeking redemption and shares a lot of similarities with Alik.

This fight is guaranteed to produce a contract as both of these guys were defeated by essentially ranked caliber opponents. Not to mention, light heavyweight is one of the shallowest divisions within the UFC. Hopefully both men let their weapons free and give the fans a good show.

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