After an impressive – but not particularly spectacular – performance in the first instalment of Dana White‘s Tuesday Night Contender Series, Charles Byrd finally earned himself a UFC contract at the second time of asking when he submitted opponent Randall Wallace.
Byrd had to withstand some early pressure from his opponent in the first as he was stunned with a right cross. Wallace followed up with a barrage of strikes, sending Byrd to the floor. Despite this, Byrd managed to remain calm and avert the danger, taking the back of his opponent before blasting a nasty elbow and nice ground and pound.
In the second round, the Texan opened up with a volley of punches to the face of Wallace before taking the Carolinan down. The 33-year-old landed a nice right hand to the head of Wallace before taking his back and sinking in the rear-naked choke.
Featherweight Grant Dawson was the second fighter on the night to earn a contract and did so in mighty fashion. With no full fights on his resume, Dawson was eager to make sure that this would stay the case and looked to finish his opponent Adrian Diaz.
After some nice opening body kicks, the Nebraskan took Diaz down and landed some nice ground and pound. Towards the dying embers of the round, Dawson landed a variety of strikes including elbows and hammerfists in a bid to finish his opponent as soon as possible. Dawson sunk in a deep rear-naked choke but time was his enemy as Diaz survived round one.
The 23-year-old wasted no time in the second round, charging at his opponent before slamming him to the ground once more. Dawson again worked on a rear-naked choke and Diaz tapped out, signalling the end of the fight.
In the first women’s fight of the night, Tiffany Masters found herself in a commanding position after edging the first round and dominating the second against Jamie Colleen.
However, with just twenty seconds left on the clock, Colleen, much to the surprise of fans, claimed victory with her third armbar attempt of the round as the referee called the fight off. However, Colleen was not rewarded with a contract.
Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series full results:
Charles Byrd def. Randall Wallace via Submission (Rear-naked choke) – (Round 2 – 2:03)
Grant Dawson def. Adrian Diaz via Submission (Rear-naked choke) – (Round 1 – 1:15)
Cameron Olson def. Kyle reed via decision (Unanimous) – (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jaime Alvarez def. Martin Day via decision (Unanimous) – (28-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Jamie Colleen def. Tiffany Masters via submission (Armbar) – (Round 3 – 4:43)
