Three Dana White’s Contender Collection prospects to look at within the UFC
The third season of Dana White’s Contender Collection concluded Tuesday, with three extra contracts awarded, and after 10 weeks of exhibits, the UFC has 30 new athletes beneath contract. That is probably the most contracts a single season has produced up to now, although it is value noting that this season had two extra episodes after the primary two seasons consisted of eight apiece.
Contender Collection alumni have gone 92-82-2 thus far within the UFC, based on ESPN Stats & Data. A few of the present’s high standouts embrace Sean O’Malley, Geoff Neal, Greg Hardy, Maycee Barber, Edmen Shahbazyan, Jimmy Crute and Sodiq Yusuff. A Brazilian model of the present in 2018 introduced gentle heavyweight contender Johnny Walker to the UFC.
With 30 new faces within the combine, which names from Season three do you have to regulate transferring ahead?
Listed below are three to look at:
At age 23, Aleksa Camur is the youngest fighter to obtain a UFC contract on this season of Dana White’s Contender Collection. He’ll want time to succeed in his potential, however his potential is clear. Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
Aleksa Camur (5-Zero), gentle heavyweight
The UFC’s return to China includes a strawweight division championship struggle, one which followers in Shenzhen have been anticipating for a number of months.
Zhang Weili, who’s 19-1 and fights out of Beijing, will look to take the title from Jessica Andrade in Saturday’s important occasion.
UFC Struggle Night time: Andrade vs. Zhang
• Saturday, Shenzhen, China
• Prelims: ESPN, three a.m. ET
• Important card: ESPN+, 6 a.m. ET
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It ought to be identified that Camur will not be probably the most “UFC-ready” of this 12 months’s group. On the age of 23, he is the youngest athlete to obtain a contract this season. He’ll require time (and acceptable matchmaking) to understand his potential within the Octagon, however the potential is clear.
Camur was born in Bosnia and moved to the U.S. when he was 2. He trains out of Sturdy Model Struggle Staff in northeast Ohio, house of present heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. Camur is constructed like a tank and is not afraid to take a seat on his punches. 5 fights into his professional profession, he has completed each one in every of his opponents by knockout.
His win over Fabio Cherant may be some of the memorable fights in Contender Collection historical past. After getting shocked with a left hand, Camur knocked Cherant out with a flying knee in the course of a reasonably wild change. He is undoubtedly younger, however the UFC noticed one thing in Camur that it could not go up. I see it too.
Watch Camur’s struggle on ESPN+
Tracy Cortez received her means into the UFC with a choice victory over Mariya Agapova throughout Season three of Dana White’s Contender Collection. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Cortez had some of the compelling tales of any fighter this season. Dana White most likely spoke for many people when he mentioned Cortez’s story made him cry, but it surely was her apparent grappling skill that produced a UFC contract.
Cortez, 25, misplaced her professional debut two years in the past, however she has been good since. She went 5-Zero as an novice from 2013 to 2016. She has a very good base to additional construct her talent set. She wasn’t in a position to end Mariya Agapova on the present (Agapova, by the way in which, was a protracted, technical striker who provided a official problem), however she ended up dominating the judges’ scorecards.
There’s so much to love about Cortez. Apparent potential. Coronary heart. She comes from a very good camp in Struggle Prepared MMA in Arizona. Though a compelling backstory is not essential to seek out success within the UFC, it definitely would not damage. Cortez is articulate, and I like her probabilities of growing a fanbase who will discover her relatable.
Watch Cortez’s struggle on ESPN+
Zero:25
Ode Osbourne shakes up Armando Villarreal with a knee to the top in Spherical 1. For extra UFC, join ESPN+: http://plus.espn.com/ufc.
The self-proclaimed “Picasso of MMA,” Osbourne, 27, is entertaining on the mic and within the cage. His hands-down hanging fashion invitations a struggle on the toes, and he showcased some slick floor expertise in his lightning quick submission of Armando Villareal on the present. He additionally has collegiate wrestling expertise at Division III Carroll College in his again pocket.
Osbourne’s body might be a weapon at 135 kilos. He is 5-foot-7 with a 72-inch attain, which, for context, is sort of the very same construct as present bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling.
Osbourne is gifted and marketable. Along with his skilled preventing profession, he teaches fifth- and sixth-grade math, and he says he by no means plans to depart that job as a result of he loves his college students an excessive amount of.
Watch Osbourne’s struggle on ESPN+