LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Dana White’s Contender Series 34, as the show returns to action following a seven-week hiatus.

Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.

The card is headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Brazilian Bruno Oliveira (8-1) and City Kickboxing prospect Carlos Ulberg (2-0), while the co-headliner features a clash of welterweight prospects as Ignacio Bahamondes (10-3) takes on Edson Gomez (6-1), who missed weight for their matchup by three pounds at Tuesday’s weigh-ins.

Featherweights will collide in the second bout of the night, as Vince Murdock (12-3) faces off against Luis Saldana (13-6), while heavyweights kick off the action, with Harry Hunsucker (6-2) taking on Jared Vanderaa (10-4).

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City Kickboxing product Carlos Ulberg (2-0) scored a scintillating knockout of fellow light heavyweight Bruno Oliveira (8-2), putting an exclamation mark on a night that saw four fighters earn UFC deals

Oliveira showed little respect for his opponent’s pedigree to start, pressing forward and looking to engage on the feet. Ulberg switched stances and looked to counter on the outside, starting a bit slowly but seemingly finding his groove quickly. Oliveira contonued to press forward with strikes on the feet, but it would ultimately prove to be his undoign, as he waded into a crisp left o the chin that left him cold on the canvas at the 2:02 mark of the opening round.

In a welterweight clash, Chilean welterweight Ignacio Bahamondes (11-3) put aside his opponent’s weight miss and looked impressive on the feet before scoring an absolute highlight-reel finish of Edson Gomez (6-2)

The taller Bahamondes looked to use his length early, staying away from the stockier Gomez. On the flip side, Gomez was aggressive, pushing forward to move past his opponent’s range. Gomez appeared to pack more power into his punches, but Bahamondes’ accuracy was impressive, and he chopped at the legs, as well.

As the round wore on, Bahamondes opened up a bit, landing a few knees up the middle and bringing his kicks up high, as well. Gomez showed a respectable chin, absorbing his share of damage and continuing to walk forward. Still, it was clear he was outgunned overall and was going to need to land something special.

Bahamondes continued his work from range to start the second, but Gomez responded with even more aggression. He struggled to find the mark, though, and Bahamondes picked him apart with combinations. Gomez did land the occasional big right to keep his opponent honest, but Bahamondes moved well on his feet and eventually uncorked a brutal front kick to the chin left his opponent out cold on the canvas at the 2:31 mark of the second frame.

OUT COLD.@JaulaBahamondes with a KO of the Year contender on #DWCS

[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/i73JSdtFH9

— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2020

In featherweight action, Luis Saldana (14-6) looked slick on feet for the entirety of his contest with Vince Murdock (12-4) before ending it in the third round.

Saldana swept his opponent to the floor on the first strike of the contest, but Murdock popped right back to his feet and looked willing to engage on the feet. The taller Saldana switched stances frequently and looked to use kicks from range, but Murdock always looked to counter over the top. Murdock threw every punch with bad intentions, but he often came up a little bit short against a rangier foe.

Saldana opened up the arsenal a bit in the latter stages of the round with a flying knee and a few spinning kicks, but it was often just being first to the punch with a quick jab that served him best.

Murdock was a little more aggressive to open, but he quickly settled back at range and allowed Saldana to work on the outside. Murdock was most effective when he pressed forward with combinations, but he wasn’t busy enough for his corner’s liking. Meanwhile, Saldana was relaxed on his feet and continued to switch stances while seeking angles to attack.

Saldana picked up the pace to open the third and quickly found a home for the stiff jab once again. A flurry punctuated by a pair of front kicks to the face sent Murdock to the canvas, and Saldana followed, moving to mount before continuing the barrage and forcing referee Herb Dean to call off the fight at the 44-second mark of the final frame.

BACK-TO-BACK @SaldanaMMA unleashes two front kicks to seal the deal!

[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/doUI3dOnWm

— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2020

In the night’s first contest, heavyweight Jared Vanderaa (11-4) had to survive a few early onslaughts from Harry Hunsucker (6-3) but was ultimately able to claim a first-round stoppage win.

After a brief feeling out process, it was Hunsucker who rattled off a barrage of heavy punches that seemed to score before visibly pulling ti back to save energy. He repeated the process shortly after, alternating between blitzing attacks and moments of pausing to recover. Vanderaa showed an impressive chin in absorbing the blows and then stole the momentum by elevating Vanderaa and slamming him to the canvas. Once there, Hunsucker had no answer, and Vanderaa pounded away with punches to score the first-round TKO at the 3:34 mark of the round.

IN ONE ROUND.@JaredVanderaa opened the night with RELENTLESS finishing shots

[ Tune in on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/UCQSGCS7tY

— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2020

Up-to-the-minute Dana White’s Contender Series 34 results include:

MAIN CARD

• Carlos Ulberg def. Bruno Oliveira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:02
• Ignacio Bahamondes def. Edson Gomez via knockout (front kick) – Round 2, 2:31
• Luis Saldana def. Vince Murdock via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:44
• Jared Vanderaa def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:34