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An American striker was one of 3 fighters rewarded with an instant UFC contract during 'Dana White's Contender Series' Tuesday
An American striker was one of 3 fighters rewarded with an instant UFC contract during 'Dana White's Contender Series' Tuesday
Alan DawsonSep 2, 2020, 18:52 IST
William Knight scored a big win Tuesday.Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
William Knight extending an intimidating knockout record Tuesday when he finished Cody Brundage in 143 seconds.
The performance was enough to earn the American striker a UFC contract, joining two other fighters at the leading MMA firm.
It all went down during an episode of "Dana White's Contender Series," a show designed to funnel talent into the UFC.
Aside from Knight, White said he was impressed with the elite grappling which was on display at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
See the highlights from Tuesday's show below.
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This is Dana White's Contender Series. It may look like a similar, behind-closed-doors, coronavirus-era production, but it is a separate entity to the UFC.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
The purpose of the series is to find new talent. Should a fighter impress White, then he will reward them with a UFC contract on the spot.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
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William Knight has never gone the distance in a pro MMA fight — he's finished every opponent he's faced bar one by knockout.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
As Knight was fighting Cody Brundage, who has also finished most of his opponents early, it was clear the judges would not be needed in this light heavyweight match.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
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Knight scored a first round knockout when he dropped Brundage to the floor with elbows, then finished him with ground-and-pound.
Jimmy Flick also impressed the UFC boss Dana White as he had his flyweight opponent Nate Smith in trouble with multiple submission attempts.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
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Flick eventually beat Smith in the third round with an arm-triangle choke, advancing his record to 15 wins (13 submissions and two decisions) against five losses.
Elsewhere, Ronnie Lawrence overcame wild underdog status to topple Jose Johnson with multiple takedowns to earn a decision win and a UFC contract.
Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
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"I thought everybody fought their hearts out, and everybody was talented," White said after the event.