After week 6 of the latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series last night four more fighters were awarded UFC contracts.
Elijah Smith, Tallison Teixeira, Ateba Gautier and Ahmad Hassanzada all fought their way into the promotion following their victories, while Benjamin Bennett missed out after failing to impress Dana White enough with his split-decision win.
Though Smith’s victory was the only one of the new UFC recruits to go to the judges scorecards he grabbed the most attention on the night due to the fact that his father Gilbert ‘Chocolate Thunder’ Smith is a former UFC fighter who competed on two seasons of TUF. Thanks to last night’s win Elijah and Gilbert are now only the second ever father-son duo to have competed in the UFC in the history of the promotion.
Elijah Smith def. Aaron Tau via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Hell of a performance by Elijah Smith
Did he do enough to earn a UFC contract? #DWCS pic.twitter.com/JgQ06pj80j
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2024
Tallison Teixeira def. Arthur Lopes via knockout (punch) — R1, 1:57
ONE SHOT POWER
Tallison Teixeira adds another first round finish to his resume! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/4Ki9tZWxWi
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2024
Benjamin Bennett def. Joey Hart def. via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ateba Gautier def. Yura Naito via TKO (punches) — R2, 4:00
That's all she wrote
Ateba Gautier gets the TKO in round 2! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/mPoA63cWCV
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2024
Ahmad Hassanzada def. Dylan Mantello via submission (rear-naked choke) — R3, 2:41
Ahmad Hassanzada gets the third round submission
Was that enough to earn him a UFC contract? #DWCS pic.twitter.com/p4W30fw0Fg
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2024
