Tough night for Africa at Dana White’s Contender Series
Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza by TKO (strikes) – 4:44, Round 1. Photo: Zuffa/UFC
Image: Zuffa/UFC
It was not the preferred outcome for Africa’s Eliezer Kubanza and Demba Seck at Dana White’s Contender Series in Las Vegas this week.
Last night at the UFC Apex, the DWCS Season 9 rolled into its eighth week with a five-fight card, offering the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kubanza and Senegal’s Seck a golden chance to impress UFC President Dana White, who was cageside.
But while the stage was set for Africa’s hopefuls, both men came up short, suffering first-round stoppage defeats in their respective welterweight and featherweight contests. Despite the setbacks, Kubanza and Seck will walk away with valuable lessons as they look to rebuild and return stronger.
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Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck by TKO (knee and strikes) – 1:20, Round 1. Photo: Zuffa/UFC
Image: Zuffa/UFC
Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck by TKO (knee and strikes) – 1:20, Round 1
Liverpool’s Kurtis Campbell wasted no time announcing himself, storming Seck with relentless pressure before closing the show in emphatic style.
“The Pink Panther” opened with a head kick, transitioned to a waist lock, and repeatedly dumped Seck to the mat. The end came when Campbell blasted a knee as Seck attempted to rise against the fence, dropping him hard before finishing with strikes.
White didn’t hesitate to pantomime a contract-signing gesture cageside, confirming Campbell as a clear standout. With the win, Campbell stays unbeaten at 8-0 and extends his stoppage streak to three.
For Seck, it was the first loss in eight professional fights after riding a seven-fight win streak since March 2023.
Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza by TKO (strikes) – 4:44, Round 1
Texas native Christopher Alvidrez pulled off the evening’s first upset, halting Kubanza late in the opening round.
Alvidrez, representing Miami’s Goat Shed, carried the momentum of his win over UFC veteran Takashi Sato into this fight, pushing his streak to six straight victories. For Kubanza, a two-time IMMAF African champion and BRAVE CF standout, the result marked his first professional defeat since turning pro in 2021.
Elsewhere on the Card
Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo Henrique by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)Dagestan’s Vagabov dominated from start to finish, showcasing polished striking and strong grappling. He’s now won seven in a row, advancing to 14-2.
Louis Jourdain def. Magno Dias by submission (rear-naked choke) – 0:39, Round 3 Louis Jourdain, younger brother of UFC featherweight Charles Jourdain, secured his own breakthrough moment. After punishing Dias with striking and low kicks, he cinched a rear-naked choke early in the third to stake his UFC claim.
Damian Pinas def. Vitor Costa by TKO (right hand) – 1:46, Round 1Suriname’s Pinas capped the night with a thunderous one-punch knockout. The 23-year-old middleweight, nicknamed “The Babayaga,” remains unbeaten with a 100 percent finishing rate.
UFC Contracts Awarded
At night’s end, Dana White wasted little time, awarding contracts to all four finishers — Campbell, Alvidrez, Jourdain, and Pinas. That brings the Season 9 tally to 35 contracts after eight action-packed weeks at the Apex.
IOL Sport