Welp, Greg Hardy (2-0) looked frightening tonight. The rightly-maligned former NFL star obliterates Tebaris Gordon in 17 seconds. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/p5IFtBd5AP
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 8, 2018
Greg Hardy can sling some leather.
The disgraced former NFL all-pro destroyed Tebaris Gordon in the first round of their heavyweight feature on Season 2, Week 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series on Tuesday at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas. Gordon (3-1) succumbed to punches 17 seconds into Round 1.
Hardy (2-0) showed no regard for his adversary’s skills. He marched across the Octagon and let his hands go. Gordon did what he could to answer back, but the difference in speed, power and athleticism between the two heavyweights was massive. Hardy connected with a right hand as he flurried, dropped the North Carolinian and closed it out.
The 30-year-old Hardy will remain on a developmental deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
A winner on season one of the Contender Series, Kennedy Nzechukwu (6-0) returns with a first-round KO of Dennis Bryant! Standing 6’5″ with an 82″ reach, the Nigerian-American has finished four of six by knockout. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/7iBHlia77q
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 8, 2018
Fortis MMA standout Kennedy Nzechukwu kept his perfect professional record intact and handled his business in devastating fashion, as he put away former Alaska Fighting Championship titleholder Dennis Bryant with a head kick and follow-up punches in the first round of their light heavyweight pairing. Nzechukwu (5-0) brought it to a close 1:48 into Round 1.
Faced with a five-inch height and 11.5-inch reach disadvantage, Bryant (5-2) never stood a chance. Nzechukwu cut loose with jabs and crosses before connecting with a head kick that drove the Marine to the canvas. Bryant turtled at the Nigerian’s feet and was met with a series of crushing standing-to-ground hammerfists that necessitated the stoppage.
Nzechukwu was one of three fighters who were awarded UFC contracts, along with Factory X representative Devonte Smith and MMA Lab export Bobby Moffett.
“King Kage” Devonte Smith (8-1) rocks the house, shorting CFFC champ Joseph Lowry with a series of nasty elbows! Capitalizing perfectly on his foe’s takedown attempt, the Ohioan scores his seventh knockout in eight wins. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/i7CbBHN6Ss
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 8, 2018
Smith stopped previously unbeaten Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Joseph Lowry with a volley of elbows in the first round of their lightweight encounter. Lowry (8-1) bowed out 2:52 into Round 1.
Smith (8-1) set the tone for what was to come with a lightning-quick jab and punish kicks to the lower leg. Lowry swooped in for a takedown near the fence, only to be countered violently. Smith held his ground and unleashed a burst of elbows to the side of the head for the finish.
The 25-year-old Smith has rattled off four straight wins.
Make that two D’Arce chokes on the night, as Bobby Moffett (13-3) taps Jacob Kilburn in the second! “The Wolfman” owns eight submissions in 13 career victories. Tony Ferguson would be proud. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/InMqw3PC2v
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 8, 2018
Moffett disposed of Jacob Kilburn with a brabo choke in the second round of their encounter at 145 pounds. Kilburn (4-2) bowed out 62 seconds into Round 2.
It was a rout from start to finish. Moffett (13-3) executed a takedown in the first round, applied his ground-and-pound, pushed for an arm-triangle choke and ultimately achieved full mount. Kilburn’s situation did not improve in the middle stanza. There, Moffett delivered another takedown of an ill-advised spinning attack, transitioned to the brabo choke and sealed the deal.
Moffett, 28, now finds himself on a three-fight winning streak.
Alex Gilpin (12-1) weathers the first-round war with J.R. Coughran, coming back to win with a second-round D’Arce choke! The Wisconsin native rides a seven-fight win streak; he has stopped nine of 12 career wins. #DWTNCS pic.twitter.com/NwKTncUXOV
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 8, 2018
Chosen Few Gym prospect Alex Gilpin submitted J.R. Coughran with a brabo choke in the second round of their featherweight clash. Gilpin (12-1) drew the curtain 1:55 into Round 2.
Coughran (6-1) started strong, as he piled up points with leg and body kicks, steady jabs and clubbing left hooks, one of which opened a cut near his counterpart’s right eye. With blood streaming down the side of his face, Gilpin turned to takedowns in the second round. He dumped Coughran to the mat, locked in the brabo choke and adjusted his grip before forcing the tapout.
The 26-year-old Gilpin has won seven fights in a row, six of them finishes.