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Rematch Proposed Following Close Decision in Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3
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    Rematch Proposed Following Close Decision in Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3

    Malcolm Wellmaker made a statement with a first-round knockout of fellow bantamweight Adam Bramhald Tuesday on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Wellmaker showed a stiff and educated jab early on, catching Bramhald whenever the English fighter would attempt to press forward with an attack, and midway through the first round knocked Bramhald out with a beautiful counter right hand.

    The 30-year-old Wellmaker was one of four fighters to go home with a UFC contract. This is the third consecutive week of DWCS this month that saw four contracts awarded.

    “When you come on the Contender Series, that’s what you do,” White said of Wellmaker’s performance. “That’s exactly what you do.”

    Dana White’s Contender Series


    Watch the newest season of Dana White’s Contender Series Tuesday nights on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+, as fighters look to earn a UFC contract.

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    Liam Anderson had a 100 per cent finishing rate prior to Tuesday’s card, however he and Russian finisher Andrey Pulyaev went the distance in the featured bout of Week 3 of Season 8.

    Pulyaev, 26, used his long middleweight frame to land hard kicks to Anderson’s midsection while also busting up the Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran with punches. Anderson fell to 6-3 as a pro.

    Marco Tulio improved to 2-0 on DWCS as the Brazilian defeated Matthieu Duclos with a second-round technical knockout at middleweight.

    Tulio, who won a decision over Yousri Belgaroui last summer on DWCS but wasn’t awarded a contract, used a spinning kick to the body to finish off his French opponent.

    Flyweights kicked off the action with Nick Piccininni simultaneously staying undefeated and handing Jack Duffy his first pro loss.

    Piccininni improved to 7-0 thanks to a split decision victory in a competitive fight that resulted in White giving the two 125-pounders a standing round of applause.

    Duffy began landing effective leg kicks early and Piccininni limped back to his corner after the opening five minutes. Piccininni had a massive knot on his left shin by the time the fight was over.

    Piccininni reversed a Duffy takedown attempt early in the second and used that as an opportunity to positionally control most of the round. Duffy was the more effective and versatile striker throughout the bout, including in the tightly contested final round, however two of the three judges gave the bout to Piccininni, a three-time Division 1 All-American and a four-time Big 12 champion wrestler out of Oklahoma State.

    Duffy was seen laying down on his back with his legs in the air resting against the cage immediately before the fight and between each round.

    Despite both fighters impressing, neither ended up earning a contract on Tuesday. White added that he disagreed with Piccininni winning the decision.

    Instead, White proposed the pair compete in a rematch later this year during Week 10 of DWCS. If the athletes agree and are medically cleared, that rematch could take place Oct. 15 at the UFC Apex.

    Featherweights Bogdan Grad and Michael Aswell went back and forth in a high-volume striking match White called “one of the best fights” in Contender Series history with Grad getting his hand raised after 15 minutes.

    White stood and applauded after this one after the final horn, too. 

    Grad landed 111 significant strikes in the 145-pound contest (71 to the head); Aswell landed 129 significant strikes with 106 connecting with Grad’s head. 

    Grad was stopped in just 83 seconds by Tom Nolan 12 months ago on DWCS. He bounced back by picking up two highlight stoppages in his native Austria and looked solid against Aswell.

    One judge scored all three rounds for Grad, which was not reflective of how competitive the fight was. Although Aswell didn’t get a contract, White said he would be put on a short list as a possible replacement opponent for a future UFC event.

    DWCS Season 8, Week 3 Official Results:

    — Andrey Pulyaev def. Liam Anderson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

    — Michael Aswell def. Bogdan Grad via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

    — Marco Tulio def. Matthieu Duclos via technical knockout at 2:38 of Round 2

    — Malcolm Wellmaker def. Adam Bramhald via knockout at 2:29 of Round 1

    — Nick Piccininni def. Jack Duffy via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

    UFC contract recipients: Malcolm Wellmaker, Marco Tulio, Bogdan Grad, Andrey Pulyaev

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    In the world of mixed martial arts, close decisions are a common occurrence. However, when a fight is so closely contested that fans and pundits alike are left scratching their heads, it’s not uncommon for a rematch to be proposed. This was the case in Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3, where a particularly tight decision left many clamoring for a do-over.

    The fight in question took place between two up-and-coming fighters looking to make a name for themselves in the highly competitive world of MMA. Both competitors put on a show for the fans, showcasing their skills and determination in a back-and-forth battle that had spectators on the edge of their seats.

    When the final bell rang, the judges were faced with a difficult decision. One fighter had clearly dominated in certain aspects of the fight, while the other had shown impressive resilience and skill in other areas. In the end, the judges awarded a narrow victory to one of the fighters, much to the dismay of the other and many in attendance.

    Following the decision, calls for a rematch quickly began to circulate. Fans and experts alike argued that the fight was so close that it deserved a second chance to determine a clear winner. The fighters themselves expressed interest in facing off again, eager to settle the score and prove their worth in the octagon.

    Dana White, always one to listen to the fans and prioritize exciting matchups, has reportedly been open to the idea of a rematch. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, there is a strong possibility that these two warriors will have the opportunity to step back into the cage and settle their unfinished business.

    In the world of MMA, close decisions are a part of the game. However, when a fight is so closely contested that it leaves fans wanting more, a rematch is often the best way to ensure a fair and definitive outcome. With the potential for a rematch looming in Dana White’s Contender Series Week 3, fight fans can look forward to another thrilling showdown between two hungry competitors vying for glory in the world of mixed martial arts.