The latest instalment of Dana White’s Contender Series delivered another batch of UFC newcomers, as four of the night’s five winners walked away from the UFC APEX with UFC contracts. But the big story afterwards was all about the man who didn’t get a deal.
Welterweight Andreas Gustafsson, heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev and bantamweight Cody Haddon all delivered finishes in their respective bouts to punch their tickets to the UFC, while the night’s other bantamweight winner, Cortavious Romious, was suitably impressive in his dominant decision victory to also earn a UFC deal from UFC CEO Dana White.
But one man didn’t do enough to earn a UFC contract. The night’s one remaining winner, middleweight Torrez Finney earned a unanimous decision over Australia’s Cam Rowston, but didn’t do enough in White’s eyes to earn a UFC chance.
It was Finney’s second bite of the Contender Series cherry, with the undefeated 185-pounder winning in both of his appearances.
But despite improving his record to 9-0 with victory over an opponent who stood at least six inches taller than him, Finney went home empty handed, with White telling him to get more experience on the regional scene before circling back for a UFC chance in the future.
“Finney, you were here last year, and my recommendation to you was to go out and get some experience,” White began.
“You’re young, you’re obviously talented, you’re now 9-0. You got one fight. You went out in one year and fought one fight. And, you know, I’m always brutally honest with this stuff – you’d get absolutely decimated in the UFC with the performance that you put on tonight. Your performance last year was better than this performance.”
While White’s assessment may have seemed strong, he still left the door open for Finney to return for a third time, but gave the prospect some clear advice to heed before he does so.
“You’re 25 years old, kid. You’re obviously a talented athlete,” he said.
“Go out and get three or four fights this year, then come back and talk to us about the UFC. You gassed out tonight. You had a tough time getting through three rounds. You’re not ready for the UFC.
“When I said go out and get some experience, I didn’t mean one fight. I meant get some fights. We’ll see you soon.”
Dana White’s Contender Series: Official results
- 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
