Callum Connor has secured a UFC contract despite losing to Peru’s Piero Guaylupo on Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series. The Manchester fighter suffered the first professional defeat of his career but was still rewarded by UFC president Dana White, who described their lightweight bout as one of the greatest fights ever seen on the show.
Guaylupo claimed a unanimous decision victory over Connor in a match that featured more significant strikes than any three-round UFC lightweight fight to date. White said both fighters were “in the hospital right now, as they should be,” underlining the brutal nature of the contest. “One of the greatest fights you’ll ever see on Tuesdays or Saturdays or any other day,” White added. He praised Guaylupo’s performance at just 21 years old but emphasised that “it takes two guys to make a great fight. I’m taking them both.”
Connor, 26, turned professional in December 2022 and carried an 8-0 record into the bout, including a four-fight winning streak on the UK promotion Full Contact Contender. His only loss came that night, but his performance evidently impressed White enough to earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA promotion.
Six fighters in total earned UFC contracts on the night from five fights; four were winners, but White gave contracts to two losers, including Connor. The decision to award contracts to fighters who did not win is unusual but reflects the high regard for their performances.
Middleweight Norbert Novenyi Jr, born in Hungary but now based in London, was the only winner on the card who did not receive a contract. Novenyi beat American Theo Haig by unanimous decision, improving his professional record to 11-1, but White told him, “Tonight’s not your night, my friend.”
“Norbert, both of you guys have great records,” White said. “You came in, fought a good fight. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything tonight that makes me say, ‘I got to have this guy in the UFC.’ Whatever you decide to do here, we would like to take another look at you.”
The UFC president’s comments suggested Novenyi’s performance was solid but lacked the impact or excitement needed to earn an immediate contract.
The Contender Series has become a key platform for emerging MMA talent to earn UFC deals, often rewarding fighters who deliver standout performances even if they come up short on the judges’ scorecards. Connor’s case is a clear example of that approach.
White’s praise for the Connor-Guaylupo fight underlines the UFC’s interest in fighters who bring intensity and action, which can be more important than the result itself. The night’s results saw four winners rewarded with contracts alongside Connor and one other losing fighter, while Novenyi will have to wait for another opportunity.
According to Yahoo Sports.
