It’s not usually the gateway into MMA, but Lone’er Kavanagh says gymnastics significantly helped his journey.
[autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag] hasn’t even been on the UFC roster for a month, but he’s not afraid to tell the world where he thinks he’ll end up.
Looking into his crystal ball, Kavanagh (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) sees high-end contender status a reality 18 months from now – with potential championship gold coming shortly thereafter.
“For me, I’ve already told my manager Jose (Diaz), with First Round Management, my goal is to become UFC champion in two years,” Kavanagh recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “So whatever I have to do to get there, I’m ready for it. I’ll take fights. I’m not here to stick about. I want to get to the top as fast as I can basically. Say, in a year-and-a-half, I want to be on that top. I hope to be up in the rankings. I hope to be closer to those shots.”
Kavanagh, 25, still has a lot to prove before his goal becomes reality, but he made himself known to international audiences in emphatic fashion three weeks ago. Kavanagh was the first fight of Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 8 – and kicked off the show with a bang when he blasted previously-unbeaten An Tuan Ho into the shadow realm for an elongated period of time.
The power displayed was generated through years of MMA-specific technique and strength training, yes. But Kavanagh credits much of physical abilities to a sport atypical of launching many fighters’ careers.
“I used to do gymnastics from a young age,” Kavanagh said. “I started when I was like two or three. I’m surrounded by sports my entire life basically. … I did gymnastics for a really long time. I started when I was like two. … I did that until I was like 10 or 11. That set my foundation. … I’ve definitely had that feedback before, so I think gymnastics helped with that. I think the most thing that it helped with is just having that awareness of where your body is. When you move and stuff like that, it just gives you that awareness. If you’re in a position, you know how to stay relaxed in that position. It’s helped massively with fighting.”
Kavanagh is expected to make his official octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 247 in Macau on Nov. 23 when he takes on Jose Ochoa.
There’s plenty to roll eyes at in the MMA space, but sometimes a feel-good moment can make even the most jaded of fans crack a smile.
LAS VEGAS – There’s typically plenty to roll eyes at or be critical of in the MMA space, but sometimes a feel-good moment can make even the most jaded of fans crack a smile.
That may happen in the case of [autotag]Cortavious Romious[/autotag], who Tuesday won a UFC contract after a hard-fought win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Romious (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) outworked Michael Imperato with a trio of 30-27 scores in their bantamweight fight on the show, and now his next fight will be for the world’s biggest MMA promotion.
It’s also where he’s likely to make the most amount of money as a rookie – and it sounds like that will come in handy.
“I’ve been broke since I’ve been doing this,” Romious told media members, including MMA Junkie, after his win at the UFC Apex. “Honestly, I’m so used to it that I’m not bothered by it. I remember coming up to Milwaukee. I was on the Contender Series last year. I got fired before the fight. I was getting ready to lose my apartment and I lost my car. I was down bad, man. I moved to Milwaukee. I dropped everything and just moved to Milwaukee. Now I can buy me a bed. I don’t got to sleep on the floor. … I can buy me a mattress. It feels good.”
Romious fought Ramon Tavares on DWCS in October 2023, but was taken out in just 29 seconds. Tavares made his official UFC debut earlier this year and won a split decision, though he missed weight.
But Romious’ redemption moment came from getting another shot at the UFC by way of the series after a 50-second armbar win a few months ago. He also knows that at 30, the clock only is ticking if he lets it.
“Age ain’t nothing but a number,” Romious said. “You can do anything you set your mind to. You work hard, it’ll pay off. You’ve got to believe it. If you don’t believe in it, you’re wasting your own time. So don’t really depend on nobody else – you’ve got to depend on yourself if you want it bad enough. Then you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get what you want to be at in life. It motivates me: ‘I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to do better.’ It just keeps me motivated, honest.”
After the mattress purchase, though, Romious has another luxury in mind with what he’ll be able to do with the win and a UFC contract.
“Cheesecake. I want some cheesecake.”
He’s getting the bed. Maybe now he needs a dessert sponsor. Eli’s? Junior’s? The famed Cheesecake Factory? Now he’s got options.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 68.
MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the performances of the five winners from Dana White’s Contender Series 68.
Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place Tuesday, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Since its inception in 2017, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, here are the grades for the winning fighters – regardless of whether or not they earned a UFC contract – and an assessment of their probability to return to a UFC stage.
Cody Haddon
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (R-L) Cody Haddon of Australia secures a rear choke submission against Billy Brand in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: In what was easily the most impressive performance of the night, [autotag]Cody Haddon[/autotag] earns an easy A for finishing Billy Brand.
Haddon, who had to travel a long way from Western Australia to compete on the Contender Series, appears to have the well-rounded game that is practically a prerequisite at 135 pounds. From serviceable takedowns to savvy striking, Haddon steadily pressured his way into offensive opportunities, allowing little openings for Brand to get going.
Brand appeared to have some slick looks himself, but the American got caught on the strong side of his shelling defense with a beautiful left hook from Haddon that sent him to the floor.
Although going to the ground with a hurt opponent can be a big no-no in my book, Haddon displayed excellent technique and killer instinct when pursuing a finish on the floor, smartly punching in his arm at an opportune time for the rear-naked choke finish.
Seeing Dana White sign Haddon was a no-brainer. I wouldn’t mind seeing Haddon thrown in there with someone like Steven Koslow or even Gaston Bolanos, but I suspect that the UFC will pair him up with someone from his side of the world like Quang Le on the next show in Australia or Asia.
Torrez Finney
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (R-L) Torrez Finney punches Cam Rowston of Australia in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Despite this being his second swing at bat on the Contender Series, I had a hard time justifying a good grade for [autotag]Torrez Finney[/autotag].
Between backing himself up to the fence to his questionable punch parrying, Finney puts himself in some precarious stylistic positions as a 5-foot-8 middleweight.
Dana White was brutally honest with Finney come contract time, and I can’t say that I disagree with the UFC president considering the limited nature of Finney’s game.
Whether Finney can make welterweight or not, he’s going to need his coaches to force him to learn some proper footwork and a double jab (or other range weapons like kicks, obviously) if he means to meaningfully connect to his strengths and compete at this level.
I know White is quick to praise his matchmakers, but I often wonder how he feels when he’s continually fed fighters who are still too green (even at this level of recruitment) for the UFC.
Cortavious Romious
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (L-R) Cortavious Romious kicks Michael Imperato of Canada in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Despite initially wanting to give [autotag]Cortavious Romious[/autotag] a higher grading, I found myself continually dropping the American a whole letter grade, at times, for his ultra-questionable fight IQ that Dana White rightfully criticized.
I know that we all hate when fighters decide to grapple their opponents after clearly hurting them on the feet, but doing so on a liver shot is twice as bad in my book given how crushing a blow that is (as well as the fact that judges are bad enough and properly valuing bodywork even when you allow your opponent to demonstrate their discomfort). So seeing Romious completely get off the bodywork and grapple a hurt Impesato was maddening, to say the least.
The second letter grade deduction came midway through the third round once I realized that Romious was ignoring both his coach’s direction and the common sense of the situation by letting off the gas completely in the final round (against a gassed fighter who doesn’t own a knockout win on his record, mind you).
I’m not surprised that White ended up signing Romious considering how UFC recruitment trends have traditionally relied on this show, but I hope that the American relies a lot less on working from his back for armbars given the talent that exists in the UFC’s 135-pound shark tank. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Romious paired up with the likes of Chang Ho Lee or Angel Pacheco for his first official assignment.
Rizvan Kaniev
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (L-R) Rizvan Kuniev of Russia punches Hugo Cunha of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Although [autotag]Rizvan Kaniev[/autotag] ended up getting the job done, he didn’t have enough “rizz” to earn anything higher than a B from me this time out.
Despite getting a buzzer-beater stoppage in the first frame, Kaniev’s opponent, Hugo Cunha, appeared ready to crumble from Jump Street.
Between backing himself up to the fence and his terrible defensive reactions, Cunha was a borderline masochist with the way he was inviting Kaniev to do his worst. That said, when Kaniev did bite down and commit to offense, he proved that he’s capable of putting together fight-ending attacks in closed quarters (something that always comes in handy at heavyweight).
I wasn’t shocked to see Dana White sign the Russian fighter, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Kuniev take part in his fair share of low-output slogs that seem to make up the majority of matchups in this division. Considering his region, don’t be surprised to see Kuniev booked on the next Abu Dhabi card opposite someone like Valter Walker.
Andreas Gustafsson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (L-R) Andreas Gustafsson of Sweden punches Pat Pytlik of Canada in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Looking like a man on a mission, I found it hard to deny [autotag]Andreas Gustafsson[/autotag] an A for disposing of a tough Pat Pytlik.
Looking like a muscled-up super soldier who fights at light heavyweight, Gustafsson appears to be a well-fueled welterweight operator who knows how to handle himself in closed quarters.
Pytlik, who looks like the love child of Gerald Meerschaert and Alan Ruck, was able to catch Gustafsson a few times on his way inside. Unfortunately for the Canadian, Gustafsson was as intent as a Viking on a Berzerker raid when it came to plying his brand of clinch warfare.
It’s nice to see a fighter embrace an underrated phase of MMA that I feel many have trended away from, so I’m curious to see what Gustfsson can do with his newly acquired UFC contract.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gustafsson booked on the next European card, likely against someone like Sam Patterson or Kiefer Crosbie.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 68.
Find out what the newest members of the UFC roster had to say following their wins at Dana White’s Contender Series 68.
LAS VEGAS – Dana White’s Contender Series 68 took place Tuesday at the UFC Apex, with four of five winners earning UFC contracts from Dana White following their performances.
Below, check out the complete results from DWCS 68 and hear from the fighters set to begin their UFC journeys.
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)
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!
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!
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!
Dana White thought Andreas Gustaffson’s game plan was odd – until a violent, violent finish came.
[autotag]Andreas Gustafsson[/autotag] ended DWCS 68 violently Tuesday at the UFC Apex.
In front of the UFC brass, Sweden’s Gustafsson (11-2) utilized superior clinch work to finish Canada’s [autotag]Pat Pytlik[/autotag] with brutal knees at 3:20 of Round 2.
Gustafsson, 33, competed in various promotions on the come-up including KSW and Brave CF among others. He extends his winning streak to three.
Pytlik, 35, has a two-fight winning streak snapped. He was offered a DWCS opportunity after an impressive knockout during a filming of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”
The full DWCS 68 results include:
Andreas Gustafsson def. Pat Pytlik via TKO (knees) – Round 2, 3:20
UFC hopeful Rizvan Kuniev returned from PFL drug suspension to clobber LFA heavyweight champion Hugo Cunha.
Will the second time be the charm for [autotag]Rizvan Kuniev[/autotag]? It very well could be.
In his sophomore DWCS appearance Tuesday, Kuniev (13-2-1) picked up the first-round TKO stoppage that alluded him on the series in 2021 when he finished [autotag]Hugo Cunha[/autotag] (8-2) with punches at 4:59 of Round 1.
Kuniev, 31, is the former Eagle FC heavyweight champion. After the UFC passed on him in 2021, he returned to Eagle and defeated Anthony Hamilton. He signed with PFL thereafter and defeated Renan Ferreira in his promotional debut. However, he later tested positive for multiple banned substances, and the fight was overturned to a no contest. Tuesday’s fight was his first after his suspension concluded.
Cunha, 31, will return to the regional scene but still holds the LFA title. The defeat Tuesday snapped a two-fight winning streak.
The up-to-the-minute DWCS 68 results include:
Rizvan Kuniev def. Hugo Cunha via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
Cody Haddon could be one to watch for years to come in the UFC bantamweight division.
[autotag]Cody Haddon[/autotag] got the job done in under four minutes in his UFC tryout at Dana White’s Contender Series 68 on Tuesday.
In front of UFC CEO Dana White and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, Australia’s Haddon (7-1) rocked [autotag]Billy Brand[/autotag] (5-2) before he secured a tap with a rear-naked choke at 3:09 of Round 1. The bantamweight bout took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The submission solidified the fifth-straight victory for Haddon, who served as the Hex Fight Series interim bantamweight champion prior to this opportunity.
Team Alpha Male’s Brand has a four-fight winning streak snapped. He competed in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat and King of the Cage (KOTC) among other promotions prior to his DWCS appearance.
The up-to-the-minute DWCS 68 results include:
Cody Haddon def. Billy Brand via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 68.
Check out the weigh-in and faceoff video highlights and photos from Dana White’s Contender Series 68 in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – The pre-fight activities are in the books for Dana White’s Contender Series 68 following Monday’s official weigh-ins and faceoffs.
For the second event of the season, 10 fighters will vie for UFC contracts in their fights, including welterweights Andreas Gustafsson (10-2) and Pat Pytlik (9-1), who headline the show.
At the conclusion of the official weigh-ins, the fighters came face to face for staredowns. Check out the highlights in the video above and a photo gallery from the weigh-ins and faceoffs below.
Dana White’s Contender Series 68 takes place Tuesday and streams on ESPN+.
