Undefeated lightweight Matt Frevola (6-0) kept his record perfect with a second-round submission win over a previously unbeaten Luke Flores (7-1), in the process securing one of two UFC contracts awarded.

The matchup served as the featured contest of Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 8 event, which took place at The Ultimate Fighter Gym in Las Vegas and streamed live on UFC Fight Pass. The card wrapped up the debut season of the new show, designed to bring talent to the UFC.

Both men started quickly, but it was Frevola who landed flush and scored a knockdown in the opening minute. Flores did battle his way back to the feet, but Frevola kept pushing with powerful punches. Flores seemed to regain his composure as the round wore on, and Frevola had to steady his pace to prepare for a long haul. Flores focused on kicks as his primary attack, chopping away at his opponent’s legs. Meanwhile, Frevola continued to lace in powerful hooks as he pushed forward and scored a takedown. As Flores tried to attack, Frevola moved to the back, but he was unable to get the finish before the bell.

Frevola was again aggressive on the feet to start and then quickly took the fight to the floor, but Flores swept and moved to the feet. The pace remained incredibly high, and Frevola again scored a few big right hands before taking the fight to the floor. Frevola looked for options and eventually locked in an arm-triangle choke, holding mount to ensure it was secure before moving out to the side and getting the tap.

Lewis stays perfect

In a middleweight bout between previously undefeated athletes, Bevon Lewis (4-0) survived some trouble to battle back for an impressive TKO win over Elias Urbina (3-1)

Urbina was quick to start, nearly scoring with a flying knee in the opening seconds, but Lewis avoided the big shots and settled into a rhythm. The two traded shots in close quarters as bout opened, and Lewis was eventually able to push the action to the floor. Urbina tried to turn his hips for a submission, but Lewis simply brushed the legs aside and eventually backed away to the feet. Spirited exchanges on the feet ensued, with both men using their long frame to attack from all angles.

The pace was high again in the second before Urbina scores with a flying knee that stunned his foe. Lewis somehow shook it off and continued and actually started to land some big shots of his own. With Urbina seeking huge haymakers, Lewis focused on straight punches and started to hit the mark. Both men landed flush, but it was Lewis’ who earned a knockdown, and he jumped on top with huge shots to finish the deal.

Antonlin takes split call in razor-thin affair

In a flyweight matchup, Adam Antolin (13-3) gritted out a decision win over Casey Kenney (7-1-1) in a thrilling affair.

Both men were quick to start, firing punches and kicks to all angles as they danced around the cage. Antolin’s kicks were sharp, but Kenney answered back with strong punches, as well. The action remained high, and both men were swinging hard in the pocket. It was back-and-forth on the feet, and both men had impressive moments but neither took full control. Kenney did seem to catch momentum in the final two minutes, starting with a low kick that briefly swept his opponent to the floor.

The pace remained high in the second, with both fighter moving well and delivering offense. Punches and kicks from all angles were exchanged in entertaining fashion. Antolin started to land more frequently as the round wore on, but Kenney was always there to return fire. Toe-to-toe, the action continued, and Kenny’s left hand seemed the best weapon of the bunch. Kenney’s low kicks also kept his opponent off-balance, but Antolin was always there to recover and counter.

Neither man could be comfortable with the scores heading into the third, and they both continued to move at a solid pace. Antolin appeared just a touch fresher, but both were dangerous. Back-and-forth the action continued on the feet. Punches and kicks landed for both men along the way, and Antolin appeared to be the one pushing the pace. The two never stopped, and Kenny actually worked himself into an anaconda attempt to close but couldn’t get the tap. After a hard-fought affair, Antolin took home a split decision over a shocked Kenney.

Mueller shines over game Velasco

In the second women’s fight in Contenders Series history, Lauren Mueller (4-0) kept her career mark perfect with an impressive decision win over a game Kelly Velasco (2-2).

Mueller came out quickly, rifling in punches and firing kicks, as well. Velasco seemed a bit surprised by the early aggression and struggled to score early. The two moved quickly into the clinch, dirty boxing a bit before resetting after a failed Mueller takedown. Mueller appeared the more powerful woman as they exchanged strikes on the feet. Still, Velasco stayed firm in the pocket and battled strong in the clinch, as well. The pace slowed a but as the round wore on, but Mueller still looked the stronger fighter when they engaged. Mueller briefly dropped her hands to invite her foe to trade and then blasted her with heavy punches and knees, but Velasco wouldn’t go away. With the final seconds ticking away, Mueller unleashed another barrage that clearly rocked her foe but didn’t get the finish before the bell.

Velasco tried to use her reach to keep range in the second, but Mueller was simply too much. The action transitioned quickly from the feet to the floor, and Mueller worked her way to the top. Velasco refused to go away, showing heart and determination but absorbing damage along the way. The action was one-sided, but Velasco refused to quit, and Mueller – a late replacement – did start to slow. Still, Mueller remained in clear control.

Velasco tried to push the action in the third, but Mueller gathered herself and again went on the attack. She still showed the power edge but struggled to keep her volume high. Velasco found some success from range, but Mueller dominated when they moved in close. McGill briefly threatened with a guillotine, but it was never truly close. Mueller pushed until the end, landing a stunning spinning backfist and then blasting away with knees to the body. Velasco survived until the end, but the winner was clear.

Crowder outlasts Mayes

Heavyweights kicked off the night, with Allen Crowder (7-2) outlasting Don’Tale Mayes (3-2) to earn a late TKO.

Both fighters threw heavy low kicks to start the contest, before Mayes started head-hunting with big shots on the feet. Crowder then looked for a takedown, but a slick Mayes sweep saw him move to the back and land some big punches. An alert Crowder then crawled to his feet pulled his head free from a guillotine and scores his own takedown to reverse the action. Mayes worked hard to wiggle free, but Crowder maintained dominant position until the final minute, when they returned to the feet for a quick salvo.

Crowder was the aggressor to start the second, and he seemed the fresher fighter. Mayes threw heavy punches in return but struggled to land clean. Crowder eventually pushed an off-balance Mayes to the floor and took top position. Crowder willingly moves out of the dominant spot in hopes of chasing an armbar or triangle choke, but it backfired, leaving Mayes in side control. Crowder quickly reversed but then had the favor returned. Crowder spent some time on bottom before a last-minute kimura attempt that seemed dangerous but saw his opponent saved by the bell.

Mayes looked downright exhausted to start the third, though Crowder wasn’t too much better. Still, Crowder landed the better shots on the feet and eventually moved inside for a takedown, dragging his winded opponent to the floor. Crowder briefly tried top isolate the right arm but let in go in favor of maintaining position and eventually posturing with a series of punches and elbows that brought the fight to a close.

For more on DWCS 8, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

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