Dana White makes Contender Series history with two fighters signed despite losses

Dana White rarely needs much convincing when a Contender Series fight catches fire. That was clear at DWCS 93, where fighters earned UFC contracts from five bouts, including two who suffered losses.

Six UFC Contracts Handed Out After a Wild DWCS 93

Piero Guaylupo and Callum Connor started the run. Guaylupo took a unanimous decision, but Connor’s performance was enough to earn him a contract as well. White called the lightweight fight a potential Fight of the Year contender, pointing to the pace and the amount of punishment both men absorbed.

The same thing happened in the welterweight co-main event. Alvi Dasuyev remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Jaden Ortega, but Ortega still left Las Vegas with a UFC deal. Ortega had been dropped in the opening round, yet stayed in the fight for all 15 minutes. White also said UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard pushed strongly for Ortega to be signed. 

The other two contracts went to Marcos Degli and Damian Piwowarczyk after stoppage wins. Degli submitted Paris Moran with a standing one-arm rear-naked choke, while Piwowarczyk stopped Emilio Quissua with seconds remaining in the opening round.

That made DWCS 93 the first episode in the show’s history to feature two losing fighters receiving UFC contracts.

Norbert Novenyi Jr. Wins But Leaves Without a UFC Contract

The strangest part of the night came at the end. Norbert Novenyi Jr. entered the main event with plenty of momentum, having won three straight fights before facing Theo Haig. Instead of adding another finish to that run, he went the distance and won a unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three scorecards.

That was not enough for White.

Novenyi and Haig both slowed badly as the fight progressed, and neither managed to produce the kind of performance White was looking for. Even with the victory, Novenyi became the only winner on the five-fight card to leave without a contract. White delivered a blunt assessment:

 

“Unfortunately, my friend, I didn’t see anything tonight that makes me say, ‘I got to have this guy in the UFC.’” 

"Whatever you decide to do here, we would like to take another look at you. But tonight’s not your night"

 

 

White did not close the door on Novenyi completely. He told the Hungarian that the promotion would like to see him again, leaving the door open for another opportunity. For one night, though, DWCS 93 produced an unusual set of results: two fighters lost and got UFC contracts, while the only other winner who went the distance left without one.