Alex Munoz Defeats Nick Newell, 3 Fighters Earn UFC Contracts on Dana White’s Contender Series

Three more fighters earned contracts on Tuesday night while Nick Newell suffered a heartbreaking loss in his attempt to earn his place on the UFC roster.

On the latest installment of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, Team Alpha Male fighter and wrestling coach Alex Munuz handed Newell only the second loss of his career as he defeated the former World Series of Fighting title contender a unanimous decision loss.

Munoz used a superior wrestling game coupled with some powerful punches that blooded up Newell over the first two rounds of the fight. Newell attempted to mount a comeback late when he locked on a guillotine choke that looked like it had Munoz in trouble but the former Oklahoma State wrestler eventually fought his way out of the submission.

In the end, Munoz earned the victory with 30-27 scores across the board, although he didn’t get the call up to the UFC just yet.

As a congenital amputee with a left arm only extends just past his elbow, Newell has been one of the more inspirational stories to emerge in mixed martial arts over the years but sadly his chance to earn a UFC contract ended with his loss on Tuesday night.

Newell had been asking UFC president Dana White for an opportunity to fight in the UFC for some time and he eventually scored a spot on the Contender Series after a face-to-face meeting alongside his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Unfortunately, Newell suffered the loss and now it’s unknown if he’ll get a second opportunity to prove himself to the UFC boss.

Meanwhile, three fighters did earn contracts in the UFC including heavyweight slugger Jeff Hughes, who trains out of the same gym as former champion Stipe Miocic. Hughes earned a first round knockout in his fight against Josh Appelt to earn his contract in the UFC.

Australian light heavyweight Jim Crute also looked impressive with a first round TKO to get the call to join the UFC roster.

Finally, Sodiq Yusuff put on arguably the best performance of the night with his victory against highly touted prospect Mike Davis to earn his UFC contract from Dana White.

18-year old prospect Chase Hooper also got a developmental deal from the UFC with hopes that he can eventually work his way into the Octagon at a later date.