Dana White's Contender Series returned for its fourth season tonight. The first week featured four exciting matches, and here were the results:
- Jordan Leavitt def. Jose Flores via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 1, 4:15
- Jerome Rivera def. Luis Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Uros Medic def. Mikey Gonzalez via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:12
- Dustin Jacoby def. Ty Flores via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Of the four winners, three were rewarded with contracts: Jordan Leavitt, Uros Medic, and Dustin Jacoby.
Lightweight Jordan Leavitt kicked off the night with an impressive first-round submission over Jose Flores, improving his record to 7-0. His post-win celebration was almost equally as impressive as he transitioned a split into a one-man dance party.
Flyweight Jerome Rivera (10-2) was the only winner of the night to not earn a contract with the UFC. He defeated 21-year-old Luis Rodriguez (11-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28). UFC President Dana White said after the event that he disagreed with the judges' scores, but ultimately praised both fighters. While neither earned a contract, he did seem confident that both would make it to the UFC one day. Unfortunately for Rivera, despite the win, his fairytale story will have to wait a bit longer.
Of all the fighters who earned a contract, Uros Medic (6-0) flashed the most promise. The undefeated lightweight, who came to America from Serbia, looked explosive in his first-round finish of Mikey Gonzalez (7-2) and you could tell by White's reaction afterward that he was going to give Medic a contract. Medic is an exciting fighter that will help fill an already talented lightweight division.
The main even of the event was MMA veteran Dustin Jacoby (12-5) against the part-time accountant / part-time fighter Ty Flores (7-3). UFC fans probably recognize Jacoby as he was once a promising prospect who burnt out early in his career. Now 32-years-old, a much more focused Jacoby earned a second chance after a dominant performance against a very tough foe.
Jacoby was explosive out of the gate, dominating the Octagon with a mixed attack. The difference in experience between the two fighters was evident in the number of strikes. It looked liked Jacoby would end things in the second but to Flores credit, he fought through the barrage. Although Jacoby didn't get the finish, his performance was dominant enough to earn a second chance in the UFC.