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Vitor Costa vs Damian Pinas, Dana White’s Contender Series Credit: UFC
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With UFC contracts on the line and dreams hanging in the balance, Dana White’s Contender Series returns for Week 8 tonight in Las Vegas, where a new wave of prospects will look to punch their ticket to the UFC.
Rashid Vagabov vs Paulo Henrique, DWCS
Credit: UFC
Rashid Vagabov vs. Paulo Henrique
Round 1: Henrique opened the fight working from the outside, relying heavily on leg kicks. Vagabov stayed patient, picking his spots and taking whatever openings Henrique offered. His striking was clearly setting up future takedown attempts, but he still looked sharp on the feet.
Henrique appeared hesitant, almost intimidated by the Russian, throwing timid strikes and showing signs of uncertainty. Vagabov kept chipping away with leg kicks before mixing in shots to the head.
The Brazilian finally found his moment when Vagabov closed the distance a bit too much, unleashing an impressive flurry that forced the Russian to retreat and reset.
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Just before the two-minute mark, Vagabov pressed forward, secured the clinch, and drove Henrique to the fence with a body lock. Henrique fought off the trips well, staying upright under pressure.
In the ensuing scramble, Vagabov threatened with a standing guillotine and used it to drag Henrique to the mat, but time expired before he could capitalize.
Round 2: Henrique came out more aggressive in the second round, standing his ground and forcing Vagabov to circle on the outside. He looked to land heavy shots, but without much setup—declining to use the jab early and leaving openings.
Instead, Henrique initiated the clinch and pressed Vagabov against the fence, trying to control the positioning. The two battled for control along the cage, with Henrique hunting for a high-crotch takedown that Vagabov defended with ease. Vagabov eventually created space, shoved Henrique off, and flipped the pressure back on the Brazilian, forcing him once again to fight on the outside.
Vagabov re-engaged on the feet, landing clean shots as Henrique repeatedly tried to clinch for his own takedown attempts. Henrique was driven backward and ate strikes in the process.
A sharp knee from Vagabov landed flush, drawing out his showmanship. The Russian began talking inside the cage and at one point even shouted, “Dana, that was for you!”
Round 3: Vagabov opened the round with a high kick that was blocked before shooting in for a takedown. Henrique defended well, but Vagabov refused to release the body lock, driving the action into the clinch against the fence.
From there, Vagabov quickly transitioned to Henrique’s back, forcing the Brazilian to defend both choke attempts and ground strikes. Henrique managed to return to his feet, but with Vagabov firmly attached like a backpack, the pressure never let up.
Vagabov locked in a body triangle and began cranking across the chin, mixing in punches to keep Henrique on the defensive. Henrique tried to fight the grip, but each adjustment only brought more punishment—including a clean right hand to the face.
Desperate to shake him off, Henrique leapt and tried to slam Vagabov to the mat, but the Russian held firm, maintaining control.
The fight closed with Vagabov still secured on Henrique’s back, piling on strikes as the final horn sounded sealing his dominance before the scorecards were read.
Official Result: Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo Henrique via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kurtis Campbell vs Demba Seck, DWCS
Credit: UFC
Kurtis Campbell vs. Demba Seck
Round 1: Campbell set the tone early, landing a sharp head kick on Seck that forced his opponent to charge forward in retaliation. Feeling the momentum, Campbell closed the distance, clinched, and secured the takedown.
From top position, Campbell looked to control, but Seck showed his athleticism by scrambling back to his feet. Campbell refused to let him off the hook, staying glued to him, landing a knee to the head, and then pouring on ground-and-pound to finish the fight.
England, you’ve got another one in the UFC!
Official Result: Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck via R1 TKO, 1:20
Eliezer Kubanza vs Christopher Alvidrez, DWCS
Credit: UFC
Christopher Alvidrez vs. Eliezer Kubanza
Round 1:
Official Result:
Louis Jourdain vs Magno Dias, DWCS
Credit: UFC
Louis Jourdain vs. Magno Dias
Round 1:
Official Result:
Vitor Costa vs Damian Pinas, DWCS
Credit: UFC
Round 1:
Official Result:
Dana White’s Contender Series Contract Winners:
And for more Dana White’s Contender Series coverage, check out all of the work here on Cageside Press. We have interviews with the fighters as well as analysis of those getting a chance on Tuesday.
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