LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 68 event.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The second week of the eighth season saw 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. In the feature bout at welterweight, Pat Pytlik (9-2) took on Andreas Gustafsson (11-2).
The UFC Apex hosted Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+.
DWCS 68 full results
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Andreas Gustafsson def. Pat Pytlik via TKO (knees) – Round 2, 3:20
- Rizvan Kuniev def. Hugo Cunha via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
- Cortavious Romious def. Michael Imperato via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Torrez Finney def. Cam Rowston via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cody Haddon def. Billy Brand via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09
Who won a UFC contract?
At the conclusion of the event, White handed out four UFC contracts. The UFC CEO awarded contracts to winners Haddon, Romious, Kuniev and Gustafsson.
Pat Pytlik vs. Andreas Gustafsson
Round 1 – Gustafsson quickly darts across the cage looking to draw a reaction from Pytlik. They clinch up and Gustafsson gets the takedown. Pytlik gets to his feet, but the clinch battle continues with Gustafsson pushing him into the cage. Gustafsson sneaks in a couple of short elbows as they keep wrestling for position. Pytlik gets free momentarily, but Gustafsson quickly charges back into the clinch. Gustafsson with knees and short elbow. Pytlik gets free again and immediately connects with a few solid punches. Gustafsson clinches again, though, controlling at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Gustafsson.
Round 2 – Gustafsson comes out lunging with a big left hook, straight into another clinch. We’re right back to where we left off in Round 1. Pytlik is able to creat more space this time and get in a few short strikes, missing with big uppercuts. Gustafsson’s mouthpiece comes out, causing a brief pause. Pytlik charges forward with strikes now but Gustafsson gets control in the clinch. A hard elbow from Gustafsson. Pytlik looks for a knee before the separation. Gustafsson keeps the relentless forward pressure, swinging wild hooks while trying to close the distance. Pytlik cracks with a huge punch, but Gustafsson just keeps coming forward! Back in the clinch again, and Gustafsson lands a hard elbow to the face. A big knee to the head now. A second connects! Pytlik is rocked! Another big knee and he’s out! What a finish!
Result: Andreas Gustafsson def. Pat Pytlik via TKO (knees) – Round 2, 3:20
Recap: DWCS 68 video: Andreas Gustafsson bashes Pat Pytlik’s face with brutal knees
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 68: Best photos
Records: Pytlik (9-2), Gustafsson (11-2)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Rizvan Kuniev vs. Hugo Cunha
Round 1 – Kuniev starts out with a powerful push kick, sending Cunha into the fence. Kuniev closes in, pressuring heavy, but Cunha gets a clinch. He changes levels, but gets stuffed. Cunha sticks with Kuniev on the way up, though, and the hunt for the takedown continues. They separate midway through the round. Kuniev kicks to the lead leg. Cunha then charges forward for a single leg, but Kuniev ends up in control along the fence. He lets go of the clinch and returns to the center. Cunha lands a couple of solid punches. Kuniev closes distance, pawing out a left hand. He finally offers a combo, but Cunha ducks under for a single leg. Short time here, and Kuniev lands a solid knee to the body in the clinch. A short uppercut gets in. And a hard elbow! Cunha goes down! Kuniev swarms and gets the finish just before the horn!
Result: Rizvan Kuniev def. Hugo Cunha via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
Recap: DWCS 68 video: Rizvan Kuniev clobbers Hugo Cunha for first-round stoppage
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 68: Best photos
Records: Kuniev (13-2-1), Cunha (8-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Cortavious Romious vs. Michael Imperato
Round 1 – Romious closes in quickly, looking for early punches and kicks. Imperato stays calm and fires back. Now it’s Imperato looking for a takedwn, but Romious shakes him off. Back in the center now. Another takedown attempt by Imperato. Romious denies him again. Imperato looks for a leg kick, but Romious digs in a vicious kick to the body. Imperato goes down holding his side, and Romious rushes in, but Imperato is able to grab a hold. They return to the feet and start trading big punches. Imperato shoots again, but Romious reverses and takes top control. The position stalls, and they return to the feet. Romious throws a pair of powerful kicks a few seconds before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Romious.
Round 2 – Romious kick high with a lot of power. Imperado looks for a big punch but misses. He then changes levels and gets Romious to the mat. Imperato looks to stack, but Romious throws up a triangle. Now, an armbar. Both appeared to be closing in on a fight-ending moment, but Imperato worked his way out pretty quickly. Imperato is on his back now snatches a guillotine. It looks deep for a moment, but Romious gets out. Romious maintains the top position until horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Romious.
Round 3 – Roimous applies pressure early with punches. Imperato fires back and they reset to the center. The ref calls for action as they stand in front of each other. A kick from Romious goes low as they throw strikes simultaneously. After a brief pause, Imperato immediately kicks Romious low, causing another break. Back to the action, Romious kicks again to the midsection, causing Imperato to complain. The fight goes on. Imperato presses forward with punches. Romious reverses a takedown and takes the top. They return to the feet with less than a minute to go. Imperato with another takedown attempt, and Romious throws up a triangle and armbar attempt before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Romious, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Cortavious Romious def. Michael Imperato via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 68: Best photos
Records: Romious (9-2), Imperato (12-7)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Cam Rowston vs. Torrez Finney
Round 1 – The size different here is staggering as Rowston opens up with a couple of range finders. But Finney just rushes through for a clean takedown! Rowston gets his back to the fence and works up, looking for a knee on the exit. Teep kick to the body. A leg kick from Rowston gets caught and Finney takes him to the ground again. Finney holds him down a little longer this time, but Rowston gets back to his feet. Finney keeps the body lock this time, lifts, carries Rowston to the center, and dumps him down. Rowston once gain works toward the cage to get up. Finney still on the hips, lifts and slams Rowston. A couple of ground and pound punches follow. Rowston threatens a submission, but can’t wrap up Finney.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Finney.
Round 2 – Rowston looks to work behind the jab and kicks to the body, but Finney rushes forward again to clinch. Finney gets him down to a knee, but Rowston powers up and gets away. They’re trading punches now in the center. Finney has enough of that and closes in for another takedown. Finney gets some control time, but Rowston powers up and lands a few strikes on the exit. But Finney – you guessed it – gets another takedown easily. Once again, Rowston gets up. Now Finney unloads punches and clips Rowston! Back in on the hips. Rowston circles away and lands a nice knee. Back in the center, they just trade big punches and kicks until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Finney.
Round 3 – Rowston opens up with a pair of teeps. Finney charges forward. Rowston looks for a knee as he closes in, but can’t stop the lift and dump to the ground. Rowston gets up and lands a couple of nice punches. Finney gets in on the hips again. Rowston punches and elbows to the head while Finney holds the position. Finney eventually adjusts and gets the takedown. Rowston punches and elbows from his back. Now he looks for an armbar and and a triangle, but Finney’s shoulders are just too wide. Finney adds punches from the top while maintaining control. Rowston gets up with less than 10 seconds left and gets in a few more solid strikes before the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rowston, but the fight is for Finney, 29-28.
Result: Torrez Finney def. Cam Rowston via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 68: Best photos
Records: Rowston (8-3), Finney (9-0)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Billy Brand vs. Cody Haddon
Round 1 – No glove touch here, and Haddon immediately lands a leg kick. Brand kicks to the body, but is met with counter punches. They clinch for a moment, but separate quickly and return to trading strikes. Haddon looks for a trip after a right hand, but gets reversed. Brand takes the back, but Haddon scrambles out. They reset, and Haddon lands a huge left hook! Brand goes down! Haddon swarms as Brand is in survival mode. The follow-up punches don’t get it done as he takes the back. Haddon slaps on a rear-naked choke to get the tap!
Result: Cody Haddon def. Billy Brand via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09
Recap: DWCS 68 video: Cody Haddon club-and-subs Billy Brand in UFC tryout
Photos: Dana White’s Contender Series 68: Best photos
Records: Brand (5-2), Haddon (7-1)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
DWCS 68 faceoffs
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 68.
