The first-round finishes keep coming, as Ian Heinisch (11-1) shellacks Justin Sumter with these elbows! The reigning LFA Middleweight Champion, Heinisch hopes to join the three previous holders of that belt (Eryk Anders, Markus Perez, and Anthony Hernandez) in the UFC. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/3WydvGdYKS
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 1, 2018
Reigning Legacy Fighting Alliance champion Ian Heinisch knocked out Justin Sumter with a volley of violent elbows in the first round of their middleweight clash on Season 2, Week 7 of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas.
Heinisch (11-1) drew the curtain 3:37 into Round 1, as he posted his third straight win. The 29-year-old was one of four fighters who were awarded Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts.
Sumter (6-2) countered a flying knee with a takedown, applied his ground-and-pound and scrambled to the back. However, Heinisch reversed position, set up shop in guard and began his assault. He followed short punches with burst of crushing elbows that knocked Sumter unconscious.
Undefeated Bellator MMA alum Roosevelt Roberts, Roufusport representative Jordan Griffin and Paradigm Training Center prospect Juan Adams were also given UFC contracts.
Roosevelt Roberts dominates Garrett Gross to close this episode, overwhelming his opponent on the mat en route to a second-round RNC. “The Predator” (6-0) has finished all of his pro bouts. This marks the third all-finishes episode of #DWTNCS this season. pic.twitter.com/Ja5uHIZybD
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 1, 2018
Roberts submitted Garrett Gross with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their lightweight duel. Gross (11-8) bowed out 2:13 into Round 2, as his four-fight winning streak grinded to a halt.
Roberts (6-0) established himself as the superior fighter from the start. He struck for multiple takedowns in the first round, softened Gross with ground-and-pound and threatened with submissions whenever an opportunity presented itself. Roberts carried his momentum into the middle stanza, executed another takedown and achieved full mount before dropped elbows and punches. Soon after, he locked down the fight-ending choke and drew the tapout.
The 24-year-old Roberts has finished all six of his opponents.
Jordan Griffin emerges victorious in a one-round scrap, clubbing and subbing Maurice Mitchell with an impressive RNC! The “Native Psycho” (17-5) is 8-1 in his last nine; he is a former KOTC champ with 13 finishes. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/ECw9immxw7
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 1, 2018
Griffin submitted Maurice Mitchell with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their featherweight tilt. Team Alpha Male’s Mitchell (11-2) conceded defeat 3:57 into Round 1, his career-best six-fight winning streak having reached its conclusion.
Griffin (17-5) freed himself from a guillotine choke, returned to his feet and found the mark with a crisp left hand. Mitchell hit the deck and attempted to scramble out of danger. However, Griffin wheeled immediately to his back, cinched the choke in a blink and elicited the tapout.
A former King of the Cage champion, the 28-year-old Griffin has won four fights in a row, all by submission.
Juan Adams released “The Kraken” on poor Shawn Teed, bludgeoning him standing before engulfing him with ground n’ pound. The career LFA vet (4-0) has finished all of his bouts by first-round TKO. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/hwgENF3amP
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 1, 2018
Adams disposed of Shawn Teed with punches in the first round of their heavyweight pairing. Adams (4-0) brought it to a close 4:17 into Round 1.
Teed (5-2) failed to generate any meaningful offense, outside of a desperate heel hook attempt. Adams pinned him to the fence, dribbled his head with straight punches and assumed top position. The 26-year-old Legacy Fighting Alliance alum took his time with his prey, brutalized Teed with ground-and-pound and fished for a rear-naked choke. When the submission failed to materialize, Adams moved to mount, let his hands go and forced the stoppage.
The loss snapped Teed’s modest two-fight winning streak.
In other action, Don’Tale Mayes put away interim Tachi Palace Fights champion Mitchell Sipe with punches in the second round of their heavyweight confrontation. Bleeding profusely from a deep gash above his left eye — the result of a short but sweet stepping elbow from Mayes — the previously unbeaten Sipe (4-1) succumbed to blows 4:49 into Round 2. Mayes (5-2) has rattled off three wins across his last four appearances.