Dana White’s Contender Series 59 Results

Dana White’s Contender Series, returns for the second time this year for the Tuesday, August 22 episode, which will see unbeaten middleweights Eli Aronov and Zachary Reese collide in the main event.

This week’s episode will feature just four fights as opposed to the regular five. Flyweight Felipe Dos Santos was originally scheduled to take on Luciano Pereira. However, Dos Santos will instead get his chance to wow the UFC brass on a much bigger stage when he fills in for Kai Kara-France against Manel Kape at UFC 293 in three weeks.

This week’s episode of DWCS is set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, one hour later than the start time of previous weeks this season, and can be streamed on ESPN+.

Aronov vs. Reese

Zachary Reese has been a finishing machine for Texas-based Fury FC. He owns five finishes to his name, all in the first round. One of those finishes came against TUF 29 veteran Aaron Phillips. He also checks off many of the boxes the UFC is looking for in future contenders, such as size and athleticism, in addition to a killer instinct well beyond his years. As a result, it should come as a surprise to no one that he found his way onto the Contender Series before garnering a Fury FC middleweight title shot. Such a fight could still be on the table Tuesday’s result pending, but another first-round finish will surely have Reese UFC bound.

Eli Aronov, meanwhile, will pose a different kind of threat to what Reese has seen in past fights. “The Israeli Tank” is 6-0 in his own right and lives up to his nickname with a smothering ground game and unshakable toughness. He has a pair of first-round finishes himself, but has also shown an ability to push a hard 15-minute pace, which is an extremely important trait for young fighters to fall back on if an early finish doesn’t present itself. Still, Reese’s freakish athleticism at middleweight could give Aronov problems. Likewise, it will be interesting to see how Reese responds if Aronov is able to take his biggest shots and continue pushing forward.

Elliott vs. Brito

The UFC could have the next Welsh star on their hands in Oban Elliott, and 8-2 fighter coming to DWCS by way of Cage Warriors. Elliott is currently on a roll with wins in each of his last four bouts after starting his career 4-2. One of those victories came over former Cage Warriors middleweight champion Matt Bonner, and Cage Warriors has long proven to be an excellent proving ground for fighters competing outside of North America. Elliott also had a 6-0 amateur career competing in the Cage Warriors Academy, so it seems his professional profile has caught up to the promise he once displayed before turning pro.

Kaik Brito, meanwhile, has also competed in Europe fairly extensively over the last two years. The Brazilian posted a 3-1 record in OKTAGON, with all three wins coming by way of finish with his hands. He even became the promotion’s welterweight champion with his most recent victory over the ultra-experienced David Kozma. Brito started his career 10-0, but seemingly experienced some growing pains as he stepped up his level of competition outside of his native Brazil. Now, he will look to put it all together against an opponent whose best path to victory is to outlast him.

Verbeek vs. Knutsson

The UFC strawweight division could be adding yet another prospect to its extensive portfolio of talented fighters when Isis Verbeek meets Josefine Knutsson. Verbeek has cut her teeth in other disciplines besides MMA. She has competed in shootboxing, kickboxing, boxing and bare knuckle boxing, though she has actually seen her best success in MMA. Verbeek made her way to Invicta FC in July 2022 and passed a test against Melissa Odessa Parker with flying colors. She now finds herself on the precipice of a UFC contract, and her extensive striking experience can take her a long way in women’s MMA.

Knutsson, however, is no slouch herself, and Verbeek will have to hand the 27-year-old Swede her first loss in order to potentially secure the contract. Knutsson, too, comes from a striking background, specifically in kickboxing where her only two losses in six fights were to Kana Morimoto in a trilogy where Knutsson got her hand raised in the second fight. She went on to transition to MMA after falling to Morimoto and has proceeded to win all five of her fights to date. She even competed at a Road to the UFC event where she defeated Ye Dam Seo via Unanimous Decision. Those who appreciate women’s MMA in addition to extravagant stand-up fights will not be disappointed.

Ring vs. Pajuelo

Virginia’s Robbie Ring will open the main card against Luis Pajuelo out of the Peruvian regional scene. As a mixed martial artist, Ring is part of the family business. He and a slew of up-and-coming talents train under his father, Greg Ring, while mother Kimberly is the owner and founder of the facility. At 23-years-old, Ring has plenty of room to grow in the sport, and yet still holds a 6-0 record in MMA. He also wrestled at Wytheville Community College, and has a great base that lends itself to early career success. Ring also notably holds a win over UFC veteran Jacob Kilburn, finishing Kilburn with a D’Arce choke in the second round.

Pajuelo, like most fighters to come off the Peruvian regional scene, is something of a wild card. The 28-year-old is 7-1, and at 5-foot-11 has great size for the featherweight division. He is also yet to be finished with his only loss coming by way of decision. However, Ring will pose an interesting challenge for the Peruvian, and one he has likely not seen in his career to date. While Ring is young, he has seemingly fought the tougher fighters. However, if Pajuelo can avoid falling victim to Ring’s wrestling, he may be able to find a path to victory.