One-handed fighter Nick Newell never gave up despite being outgunned by Alex Munoz over three rounds in the headliner of Dana White’s Contender Series 14.

Munoz repeatedly sent Newell to the canvas with heavy punches and superior wrestling, but even in the final seconds, he was fighting off choke attempts.

With unanimous scores of 30-27, Munoz ended a 20-month layoff with a win and spoiled Newell’s underdog effort to earn a UFC contract despite his physical disadvantages and the disapproval of UFC President Dana White.

For Munoz, avoiding his opponent’s favored submission game was the key to taking home the win.

“I knew he was going to be a tough fighter,” he said afterward. “It was an awkward fight to prepare for.

“On top of that, he has one arm he uses very, very well. He has two arms he uses very well. You can’t count him out. He’s a quality opponent. I wish him the best of luck.”

Newell, 32, earned a spot on the July 24 event after flying to Las Vegas to meet with White, who once said the congenital amputee would never fight in the octagon.

Newell came out of retirement in March after three years on the sideline, aiming for one last shot at his UFC dream. A first-round submission win renewed calls for him to get a chance.

White still expressed serious misgivings about Newell fighting in the promotion, particularly wondering what would happen if an injury occurred in the octagon. But in the end, he granted Newell’s wish, saying, “I’m not doing this for me or for the organization or anything like that. I’m doing it for this kid.”

In the octagon, Newell made the most out of his chance, charging after Munoz despite catching left hooks and jabs that bloodied his nose. He leapt across the canvas with flying knees and twice popped Munoz in the face with front kicks.

But for every charge, Munoz was ready to counter with his wrestling skills, which had earned him a spot as the wrestling coach on the famed MMA squad Team Alpha Male. Newell took damage on his back and was hit some more when he rolled to his knees. By the time he managed to lock in his first serious submission attempt, sweat made a submission impossible.

With time winding down, Munoz took Newell down and stayed at his back, firing off punches. After Newell’s last-ditch submission failed, Munhoz nearly cinched an arm-triangle in the final seconds.

Munoz (5-0) extends his unbeaten streak to five fights, while Newell (14-2) suffers his second professional loss since a TKO loss to former WSOF champ and current lightweight contender Justin Gaethje in 2014.

For more on Dana White’s Contender Series 14, check out the MMA Events section of the site.