Dana White's Contender Series: Four more prospects added to UFC roster

Another quartet of newcomers was added to the UFC roster after another fun night of fights at the UFC APEX for Dana White’s Contender Series.

After another entertaining night of fights, UFC President and CEO Dana White offered his assessment of the night’s performances, as he awarded UFC contracts to Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, Cezary Oleksiejczuk, Mandel Nallo and Tommy McMillen.

In the featured bout of the night, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani needed just 68 seconds to finish Jack Congdon in spectacular fashion and steal the show with a stunning knockout.

Despite conceding plenty of height to Congdon, Lebosnoyani found his range, set his sights and connected with a huge left high kick to the head that left Congdon out on his feet. Lebosnoyani then stepped in and landed a huge punch to send Congdon down, and out, for a huge knockout victory.

“An incredible jiu-jitsu guy with an incredible knockout! Nothing else needs to be said!” said White, who had no hesitation in awarding Lebosnoyani a UFC contract.

There was a little confusion before Cezary Oleksiejczuk was declared the winner after his bout with Theo Haig was stopped by referee Gary Copeland after just 36 seconds.

Oleksiejczuk stuffed an early single-leg takedown attempt from Haig, then punished him with a vicious flurry of hammerfists to the side of his opponent’s head that eventually knocked out the previously undefeated American.

Copeland was initially unsure over the legality of the strikes, and wanted replay official Jason Herzog to check the footage to make sure that the strikes were legal, and that the fight should be stopped. Herzog confirmed both, and Oleksiejczuk was awarded the victory, and a UFC contract.

Canadian lightweight and former Bellator veteran Mandel Nallo convinced White that age is only a number, as the 36-year-old scored an emphatic first-round finish of Samuel Silva.

Montreal’s Nallo took his run of consecutive first-round finishes to five with that finish, as the Canadian claimed his 16th career finish, and his 14th first-round stoppage win to earn a UFC deal from White, who stated, “I do not love your age, but I love your style … I’m gonna give you a shot.”

At flyweight, former The Ultimate Fighter prospect Eduardo Chapolin claimed a unanimous decision victory over An Tuan Ho. Chapolin landed an illegal knee on Ho that threatened to end the action early, but Ho was able to continue and, with no point deduction applied, Chapolin went on to claim a shutout win on the scorecards.

However, despite that victory, Chapolin’s performance wasn’t quite enough to earn a contract from White.

The opening fight of the night saw undefeated featherweights Tommy McMillen and David Mgoyan battle back and forth through three thrilling rounds, with McMillen pouring on the pressure in the final round to earn a majority decision.

The bout had White on his feet applauding as the fight came to a conclusion, and the UFC boss later revealed that he had paid Mgoyan his win money, despite the Russian prospect finding himself on the losing end of the decision.