Six more fighters are joining the UFC after an insane week of Contender Series.
On Tuesday night, Week 9 of Contender Series took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, featuring three finishes, including the second-fastest finish in Contender Series history, but by far, the fight that stole the show was the co-main event bantamweight contest between Adrian Luna Martinetti and Mark Vologdin, who put on arguably the greatest fight in Contender Series history and one of the best fights of 2025.
Adrian Luna Martinetti vs. Mark Vologdin
In the co-main event of the evening, Adrian Luna Martinetti and Mark Vologdin went to war, tearing chunks out of each other for 15 minutes, ultimately resulting in a decision win for Martinetti.
Vologdin started strong with his karate style and combinations, but Martinetti brought the dawg out, and after a tough opening round, put the pressure on Vologdin. Martinetti’s aggressiveness led to an insane war between the two as Martinetti stood inside and piled up volume, while Vologdin lit him up with heavy counters. Martinetti’s pace took over as the round went on. For a moment, it appeared he was about to finish Vologdin, but the Allstars Training Center fighter rallied and nearly stopped Martinetti in the final seconds of the round.
A nasty cut over Vologdin’s eye threatened to end the bout before the third, but the ringside physician allowed it to continue, and we were blessed with five more minutes of action. In the final round, Martinetti took over with grappling, grinding his head into the gnarly gash over Vologdin’s eye. Vologdin didn’t give up, though, and landed several big shots when he could get to his feet, but it was not enough. Martinetti won 29-28 on all three judges’ scorecards.
The fight was so good that it led to a first in Contender Series history: Immediately after the decision, Dana White pulled commentator Laura Sanko aside to announce that both men were going to the hospital, but he wasn’t waiting until the end of the show to announce he was signing both to the UFC, and giving them each a $25,000 bonus for possibly the best fight in the history of the show.
Magomed Zaynukov vs. Lucas Caldas
In the main event of the evening,
The two men had a tough act to follow, given the co-main event was one of the best fights of 2025, but they did their best, with Zaynukov blowing away the record for most significant strikes in Contender Series lightweight history (and he would’ve set the UFC lightweight record if it were a UFC bout) as he piled damage onto Caldas. To his credit, Caldas hung tough, dropping Zaynukov in the first round and never giving an inch despite getting the business end of nearly 250 significant strikes.
A record-setting performance like that, of course, also earned a UFC contract.
Imanol Rodriguez vs. Roque Conceicao
In the feature bout of the evening, Imanol Rodriguez made up for his Ultimate Fighter foray by demolishing Roque Conceicao to earn a UFC contract.
Rodriguez lost in the semifinals of The Ultimate Fighter 33, but from there went to train with Daniel Cormier, and the 25-year-old prospect looked sensational on Contender Series, showcasing his fast hands and killer instinct. Rodriguez buzzed Conceicao early after catching a kick and then poured on the offense. Conceicao did a good job of surviving, but after he finally got back to his feet, Rodriguez sent him face-first to the canvas with a brutal shovel hook, securing his spot in the UFC.
Luis Felipe Dias vs. Donavon Hedrick
In the second bout of the evening, Luis Felipe Dias overcame some adversity to submit Donavon Hedrick in his first fight in almost two years.
A former Shooto champion, Dias had been out of action since 2023 and had two different opponents for his Contender Series debut before Hedrick stepped in. And early on, that ring rust showed as Hedrick got to work with a sharp jab and low kicks. Dias scored with his powerful body kicks, though, and in the second round, he took Hedrick down and went to work, moving to the back and securing a fight-ending choke.
At the end of the show, Dana White was honest about being on the fence, but decided, since Dias took the fight on short notice, he was going to give him a UFC contract.
Luke Fernandez vs. Rafael Pergentino
In the opening bout of the evening, Luke Fernandez made quick work of Rafael Pergentino, punching his ticket to the UFC in less time than it takes to write this sentence.
Fernandez was one of the biggest betting favorites on the entire season, and he showed why as the CFFC champion dropped Pergentino with a sharp right hand just seconds into the bout. Fernandez tried to walk it off, but when the referee didn’t intervene, he jumped down and pounded Pergentino for a 15-second finish, tying the second-fastest stoppage in Contender Series history.
Of course, when you score a 15-second knockout, you’re going to earn a contract, and Dana White did just that.
Check out the full results below.
Magomed Zaynukov def. Lucas Caldas via unanimous decision (30-26)
Adrian Luna Martinetti def. Mark Vologdin via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Imanol Rodriguez def. Roque Conceicao via knockout (punch) — 2:12, Round 1.
Luis Felipe Dias def. Donavon Hedrick via submission (rear-naked choke) — 4:37, Round 2.
Luke Fernandez def. Rafael Pergentino via TKO (punches) — 0:15, Round 1.
