Dana White Contender Series 51 – Syndication Server

DWCS 51 winner Jesus Santos Aguilar: I wanted UFC contract more than Erisson Ferreira da Silva

“It was a fruit of our work, and I want it more, and I want it for my family, and that’s why it happened.”

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jesus Santos Aguilar[/autotag] says he won the battle of wills against [autotag]Erisson Ferreira da Silva[/autotag] at Dana White’s Contender Series 51.

Aguilar (8-1) earned a UFC contract by submitting da Silva in Round 3 on Tuesday. The flyweights exchanged positions in what was a back-and-forth battle, but ultimately it was Aguilar who was able to finish the fight with a guillotine choke.

“Very well prepared from my team, they talk about the mentality. That’s a very important thing,” Aguilar told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I understand that he’s a good fighter, I’ve watched his fights before, but this is a team effort, and it didn’t just happen. It was a fruit of our work, and I want it more, and I want it for my family, and that’s why it happened.”

Aguilar doesn’t have a date or opponent in mind for his UFC debut but wants to go back to the drawing board before he fights again.

“I want to fight when my coach says I’m ready to go,” Aguilar said. “I would like to fine tune a couple of things. I would like to maybe give it to December and stay with the family, so I will be completely focused on the fight at hand, but you know what, my coach has this covered.”

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Cameron Saaiman wasn’t sure he’d earn UFC contract: ‘Bit of a question mark because of my age’

UFC president Dana White said 21-year-old Cameron Saaiman had one of the best wins of the season.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Cameron Saaiman[/autotag] shined on Dana White’s Contender Series 51 but questioned if the UFC boss would sign him because of his age.

Saaiman (6-0) scored a third-round knockout of Josh Wang-Kim on Tuesday. The finish was undoubtedly a great one, but because the South African fighter is only 21, he wasn’t sure if the UFC would take a chance on him.

“There was still like a little bit of a question mark just because of my age,” Saaiman told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “But my head coach was happy, so I was happy. My team was happy, so I was happy with my performance, and once he said we got that contract, that was also a massive sigh of relief.”

Not only did White decide to sign him, but he named Saaiman as one of the most impressive fighters of this season, and Saaiman is happy to have notched a win over a formidable opponent in Wang-Kim.

“Very relieved,” Saaiman said. “A lot of pressure coming into this fight. I rate Josh Wang-Kim a lot. I respect him a lot. He’s a very good opponent and like I said, he’s the perfect opponent to make a Contender Series debut against, and it couldn’t have gone better, so I’m very grateful.”

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DWCS 51 winner Denise Gomes happy to join girlfriend Karol Rosa in UFC

Denise Gomes is now a UFC fighter alongside girlfriend Karol Rosa after her win at Dana White’s Contender Series 51.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Denise Gomes[/autotag] is now a UFC fighter alongside girlfriend [autotag]Karol Rosa[/autotag].

Gomes (6-1) defeated Rayanne Amanda by unanimous decision on Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 51 to earn a contract and joined her partner, UFC bantamweight Rosa, on the roster.

“I’m so happy that I’m with her,” Gomes told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “Being together with someone that you love, doing something that you love just makes everything easier, makes the fight easier.”

Gomes kicked off the night and was the only victorious fighter to not score a finish. When asked if she was worried that going the distance would affect her chances of getting signed, the Brazilian said not at all.

“Honestly I was very proud of the work that we did in there,” Gomes said. “And I truly believe what we put out there showed that what we did was more than enough to get a contract.”

She continued, “I’m a risk taker, and I know if I trade enough out there, eventually I’m gonna get the timing, I’m gonna get it right, and I’m gonna hit it. And when I do, I’m gonna learn, and I’m gonna get better.”

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Dana White’s Contender Series 51 live results

MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 51 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 fifth week of the sixth season sees 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. This week, heavyweights are in the featured bout as [autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag] (5-0) takes on [autotag]Eduardo Neves[/autotag] (5-0).

The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+. The full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 50 include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

Mick Parkin vs. Eduardo Neves
Darrius Flowers vs. Amiran Gogoladze
Jesus Santos Aguilar vs. Erisson Ferreira da Silva
Cameron Saaiman vs. Josh Wang-Kim
Rayanne Amanda vs. Denise Gomes

Continue reading below for more details about each fight.