Dana White thrilled by fast knockouts on Week 3 of Contender Series 

Turkey’s Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev was the biggest betting favourite on Week 3 of the ninth season of Dana White’s Contender Series, and it showed in his 205-pound matchup with Iowa’s Alik Lorenz. 

The 24-year-old, who was born in Chechnya, needed only 30 seconds to improve to 7-0 and pick up his sixth career first-round finish.

Yakhyaev told Dana White after the win that he’d be ready and would love to compete on the Oct. 11 Fight Night card in Brazil, and the UFC president appeared warm on the idea.

The quick KO finish was the theme of the night as none of the fights went to a decision and only one bout made it out of Round 1.

The opening matchup of the evening was a 225-pound catchweight bout between Darion Abbey and Donte Johnson that was put together on short notice. Johnson, who typically competes in the 205-pound division, was at a significant height and weight disadvantage, however, he did not have a power disadvantage.

Johnson finished Abbey in just 64 seconds thanks to a series of heavy hooks for which Abbey had no answer.

The 26-year-old who trains out of Fond du Lac, Wis., turned pro just 12 months ago and has already amassed a 6-0 record with all his wins coming by first-round KO/TKO.

Manoel Sousa pulled off an impressive comeback against Cristian Perez in lightweight action. The 155-pounders went back and forth in an exciting contest, with Mexico’s Perez having success early with takedowns and ground control, but as the fight progressed, Brazil’s Sousa began landing with force.

Sousa’s strikes began wearing on Perez in the final round, and he eventually overwhelmed his opponent enough for the referee to call a stop to the action with two minutes remaining in the fight. Sousa had lost the first two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.

Featherweights Damon Wilson and Marcio Barbosa had a spirited albeit short-lived matchup, with Barbosa showing off his power early and often.

Barbosa dropped Wilson with a huge right hand midway through the opening round and later put Wilson away with a combination that began with a knee.

The featured bout saw Ryan Gandra bombard Trent Miller from the moment their middleweight bout began.

Gandra, who has now won seven fights in a row over the past three years, landed heavy punches repeatedly and got the TKO win midway through the first round. 

All five winners were awarded UFC contracts. 

Nine of the past 10 fights on the Contender Series overall have ended inside the distance due to strikes.

A heavyweight matchup between Brando Pericic and Elisha Ellison was originally scheduled for this card, but was instead moved to the Fight Night event in Perth, Australia, one month from now.

DWCS Season 9, Week 3 Official Results:

-- Ryan Gandra def. Trent Miller by TKO at 2:51 of Round 1

-- Marcio Barbosa def. Damon Wilson by TKO at 4:14 of Round 1

-- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Alik Lorenz by TKO at 0:30 of Round 1

-- Manoel Sousa def. Cristian Perez by TKO at 3:00 of Round 3

-- Donte Johnson def. Darion Abbey by TKO at 1:04 of Round 1

UFC contract recipients: Ryan Gandra, Marcio Barbosa, Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, Manoel Sousa, Donte Johnson.