LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Dana White’s Contender Series 34, as the show returns to action following a seven-week hiatus.
Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.
The card is headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Brazilian Bruno Oliveira (8-1) and City Kickboxing prospect Carlos Ulberg (2-0), while the co-headliner features a clash of welterweight prospects as Ignacio Bahamondes (10-3) takes on Edson Gomez (6-1), who missed weight for their matchup by three pounds at Tuesday’s weigh-ins.
Featherweights will collide in the second bout of the night, as Vince Murdock (12-3) faces off against Luis Saldana (13-6), while heavyweights kick off the action, with Harry Hunsucker (6-2) taking on Jared Vanderaa (10-4).
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In featherweight action, Luis Saldana (14-6) looked slick on feet for the entirety of his contest with Vince Murdock (12-4) before ending it in the third round.
Saldana swept his opponent to the floor on the first strike of the contest, but Murdock popped right back to his feet and looked willing to engage on the feet. The taller Saldana switched stances frequently and looked to use kicks from range, but Murdock always looked to counter over the top. Murdock threw every punch with bad intentions, but he often came up a little bit short against a rangier foe.
Saldana opened up the arsenal a bit in the latter stages of the round with a flying knee and a few spinning kicks, but it was often just being first to the punch with a quick jab that served him best.
Murdock was a little more aggressive to open, but he quickly settled back at range and allowed Saldana to work on the outside. Murdock was most effective when he pressed forward with combinations, but he wasn’t busy enough for his corner’s liking. Meanwhile, Saldana was relaxed on his feet and continued to switch stances while seeking angles to attack.
Saldana picked up the pace to open the third and quickly found a home for the stiff jab once again. A flurry punctuated by a pair of front kicks to the face sent Murdock to the canvas, and Saldana followed, moving to mount before continuing the barrage and forcing referee Herb Dean to call off the fight at the 44-second mark of the final frame.
BACK-TO-BACK @SaldanaMMA unleashes two front kicks to seal the deal!
[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/doUI3dOnWm
— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2020
In the night’s first contest, heavyweight Jared Vanderaa (11-4) had to survive a few early onslaughts from Harry Hunsucker (6-3) but was ultimately able to claim a first-round stoppage win.
After a brief feeling out process, it was Hunsucker who rattled off a barrage of heavy punches that seemed to score before visibly pulling ti back to save energy. He repeated the process shortly after, alternating between blitzing attacks and moments of pausing to recover. Vanderaa showed an impressive chin in absorbing the blows and then stole the momentum by elevating Vanderaa and slamming him to the canvas. Once there, Hunsucker had no answer, and Vanderaa pounded away with punches to score the first-round TKO at the 3:34 mark of the round.
IN ONE ROUND.@JaredVanderaa opened the night with RELENTLESS finishing shots
[ Tune in on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/UCQSGCS7tY
— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2020
Up-to-the-minute Dana White’s Contender Series 34 results include:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Bruno Oliveira vs. Carlos Ulberg
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Edson Gomez
- Luis Saldana def. Vince Murdock via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:44
- Jared Vanderaa def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:34