South Korea has finally sent a fighter through Dana White's Contender Series to the UFC, with "Korean Tyson" Ko Seok Hyun claiming victory over Igor Cavalcanti.
This battle of dangerous strikers began with Cavalcanti swinging wildly with his near ten-inch reach advantage, but Ko was unphased. The Havas MMA representative Ko was looking to slip inside the range with jabs and counter hooks. The jabs of Cavalcanti were flowing and Ko needed to find a solution soon. With the round halfway over, Ko began to get inside the range of Cavalcanti, touching him with the left hand. As the round ended, and Cavalcanti kept swinging wild and missing wildly as well.
Ko Seok Hyun began round two shooting a double leg takedown, but Cavalcanti sprawled and pushed his way back into the clinch. The two tepidly traded knees from within the clinch for solid minute before Ko separated to reset in the center of the cage. With two minutes down, Cavalcanti was resting his back against the cage and taking deep breaths, showing some fatigue. A low blow to Ko halted the action with two minutes left.
One minute of rest and Ko Seok Hyun was ready to go, and all the sudden the two fighters began trading bombs in the center of the octagon. Ko seems to be getting the better of the punches, and he threw Cavalcanti to the ground to land in his guard. Cavalcanti rose to his feet and connected with a right hook, and the round came to a close.
Igor Cavalcanti started route three with a fresh pep in his step, but was taken down with a single leg from Ko thirty seconds into the round. Advancing his position, Ko was looking to land short shots from the half guard and crucifix position. Just after Ko advanced to full mount, Cavalcanti pushed him off and reset back into an open guard.
The South Korean was in full control moving from open guard, to the back, and wearing on Cavalcanti when the two rose back to the clinch. Just twenty seconds left the two reset once again throwing hands until the final belt. There was little doubt about who the winner would be, but the question would be if Ko's performance was enough to warrant a UFC contract.
After the event concluded, Dana White praised the head movement and toughness of Ko in an interview with Laura Sanko. He admitted that it appeared that Cavalcanti had given up in the third round, and awarded Ko Seok Hyun with a UFC contract.
Full Dana White's Contender Series' Week 4 Results:
Ko Seok Hyun def. Igor Cavalcanti via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Djorden Santos def. Will Currie via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Austin Bashi def. Dorian Ramos via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:15 of R2
Yuneisy Duben def. Shannon Clark via KO (Overhand Right) at 1:13 of R1
Quillan Salkilld def. Gauge Young via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Comments