Three more mixed martial artists were offered UFC contracts in week five of 2020’s Dana White’s Contender Series.
The three fighters to earn their spot on the roster are flyweight Jimmy Flick, light heavyweight William Knight and bantamweight Ronnie Lawrence after they impressed UFC officials on the night.
Find out how they earned their contract offers below!
Jimmy Flick eventually submits Nate Smith in dominant grappling display
In a battle of flyweights, Jimmy Flick came out on top as he out-grappled Nate Smith before securing the submission win in the third round.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt took top position and dominated on the floor in each of those rounds while threatening with all kinds of submissions, from a tight-looking triangle choke to an omaplata.
What ended it for Smith was an arm-triangle choke. Flick took down a beleaguered Smith before wrapping his right arm around his opponent’s neck and shifting his body to left to squeeze from top position.
A laboured tap from Smith signalled the end of the fight.
William Knight hands Cody Brundage his first defeat and earns a UFC contract in the process
They say you should make a wrestler pay for their takedown attempt.
William Knight didn’t first time round and had to face an onslaught of punches from Cody Brundage who almost had the fight finished.
Knight somehow survived and got back to his feet. Brundage, understandably, looked to take the fight to the floor once again, but Knight had other ideas on this occasion.
With his head left in a vulnerable position as Brundage tried to sweep Knight’s legs from under him against the cage, Knight blasted his foe with a volley of elbows to the head.
Brundage collapsed under the pressure only to take more punches, forcing referee Herb Dean to call a stop to the fight.
This was Knight’s second win in DWCS and with that he earns his UFC contract to add more competitors to a wide-open light heavyweight division.
Ronnie Lawrence displays superior grappling over Jose Johnson
Ronnie Lawrence looked a man on a mission as he secured his future with the UFC following a dominant display of wrestling and grappling control against Jose Johnson.
The bantamweight had his way with Johnson, getting the better of the fight on the feet while also being able to take Johnson down with relative ease or dominate in the clinch.
Johnson had little answer for any of the heat being thrown his way from the American Top Team talent.
Lawrence earned 30-27 from each of the judges and received a standing ovation – and a contract – from UFC President Dana White for his impressive performance.
Dana White Contender Series: Week 5 full results
Featherweight: Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Dennis Buzukja by unanimous decision after three rounds
Flyweight: Jimmy Flick def. Nate Smith by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:15 of round three
Bantamweight: Ronnie Lawrence def. Jose Johnson by unanimous decision after three rounds
Light Heavyweight: William Knight def. Cody Brundage by TKO (elbows and punches) at 2:23 of round one
Lightweight: Tucker Lutz def. Chase Gibson by unanimous decision after three rounds
