On a thrilling Tuesday night at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, the UFC Contender Series showcased an impressive lineup, welcoming four new fighters to its roster. This marked Week 4 of the series, which featured not only ten aspiring fighters but also special commentary from Michael Chiesa, a current UFC welterweight and frequent desk analyst. Chiesa took on the role of cageside commentator for the first time, providing insightful commentary as he witnessed a potential Knockout of the Year contender unfold in the main event.
The main event featured the highly anticipated bout between Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani and Jack Congdon. Lebosnoyani, a promising prospect with ties to Royce Gracie, showcased his striking prowess by delivering a stunning finish. Despite appearing smaller than Congdon, Lebosnoyani executed a perfect switch head kick that left his opponent frozen in place. A follow-up right hand sent Congdon crashing to the canvas, earning Lebosnoyani a victory in just 68 seconds—an impressive performance that caught the eye of Dana White, leading to a well-deserved UFC contract.
In the penultimate fight of the evening, Cezary Oleksiejczuk faced off against Theo Haig in a bout that concluded under unusual circumstances. Oleksiejczuk, the brother of UFC fighter Michal Oleksiejczuk, started strong, landing a punch that visibly hurt Haig. As Haig attempted to shoot for a take-down from a distance, Oleksiejczuk countered with hammerfists to the side of Haig's head. Initially, referee Gary Copeland halted the fight, believing the strikes were illegal. However, after reviewing the footage, he recognized the shots were indeed legal, resulting in a 36-second TKO victory for Oleksiejczuk, who also received a UFC contract from Dana White.
Next up was Mandel Nallo, who continued his trend of first-round finishes by knocking out Samuel Silva. Representing Tristar, Nallo came into the Contender Series on a winning streak and did not disappoint. He dominated Silva with a series of sharp jabs and kicks before landing a clean right hand that secured him a first-round knockout. This decisive victory was more than enough for Dana White to award Nallo a coveted UFC contract.
In the second bout of the night, Eduardo Chapolin finally secured a win inside the octagon against An Tuan Ho via unanimous decision. However, the outcome was marred by controversy due to a blatant illegal knee strike from Chapolin that referee Gary Copeland failed to address during the fight. Despite the mishap, Chapolin managed to control the latter rounds with pressure and grappling, earning a score of 30-27 from all three judges. Unfortunately, despite his victory, Dana White decided not to award Chapolin a contract, suggesting he may have another opportunity in the future.
The opening fight of the evening showcased a hard-fought contest between Tommy McMillen and David Mgoyan. In a match that could easily be considered one of the best of the season, McMillen overcame early adversity after Mgoyan hurt him with a spinning elbow and nearly finished him with a guillotine choke. However, McMillen rallied back in the later rounds, ultimately taking a majority decision win. This performance earned him a well-deserved contract with the UFC. Although Mgoyan did not secure a contract, Dana White announced he would still receive his win bonus for the fight.
As the UFC Contender Series continues to unveil new talent, fans can anticipate even more exciting matchups and potential future stars in the octagon.
