DWCS Season 6, Week 1 results: Joe Pyfer closes show with knockout – and gets only contract

Joe Pyfer’s UFC dream came to a crashing halt when he suffered a grisly dislocated elbow in his first DWCS appearance in Season 4. In the Season 6 opener, he redeemed himself in highlight-reel fashion with a second-round knockout of Ozzy Diaz.

Pyfer won the fight, which capped a night that was primarily tactical and attracted Dana White’s immediate attention. This was a marked departure from previous events where as many as five fighters were awarded contracts.

“Show me who you are Tuesday night,” White urged next week’s fighters in an interview with Laura Sanko after the fights wrapped on Tuesday at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. That’s all I care about. … Act like Joe Pyfer. Enjoy being here. Try to knock your opponent out. “Be Joe Pyfer and you will get into the UFC.”

And with that, White walked off camera, figuratively dropping the mic.

Check out the Pyfer’s finish, which came at the 1:39 mark of the second round when he landed a check left hook on the advancing Diaz.

“The Pleasure Man” wins over judges

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Fun-loving Anton Turkalj sauntered into the octagon, trying to make an impression on Dana White, even if he didn’t know he was there. Turkalj was a partner in training for Alexander Gustafsson at AllStars and Khamzat Chimaev. He showed Chimaev his urgency to put opponent Acacio Dos Santos onto the canvas and Gustafsson’s hardiness in trying to do the job.

Dos Santos introduced him to his fists at the start of every round, when Turkalj opened with the same leg kick every time. But even when Turkalj swung wildly, dos Santos wasn’t able to land the big shot and gave up his back for extended periods of time. In the end, that was enough to convince judges of the 29-28 score for Turkalj across the board. Afterward, the Swede expressed surprise that the fight wasn’t five rounds and White wasn’t there – even though he was sitting cageside.

Buzukja gets first DWCS win

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Two years after losing on DWCS via unanimous decision, Dennis Buzukja convinced all three judges he won the day in a second appearance against Kaleio Romero. A product of Team Alpha Male, Romero balanced his striking inexperience with smothering wrestling and toughness. At the start, he did just enough slugging to trap Buzukja against the fence.

Buzukja might have spent the whole fight against the links had he not broken away in the second and landed a knee that nearly put out Romero. Buzukja from Longo/Weidman MMA took a leaf out of the book and won the takedown. Romero fought back, trying to get into a twister and banana split submission. Buzukja had to fight his way out of it and slug things out in the final minutes before getting 29-28s across the board.

Costa ekes split in lackluster clash

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Alessandro Costa spent the better part of 15 minutes trying to get inside on his tall and rangy opponent, Andres Luna Martinetti, who picked at him at distance with kicks. At the end of each round, he did his best work on that front, scoring with heavy hands. Luna even aided him in the second, getting a little too lax leaving his head exposed on withdrawal. Luna was sent to the canvas by a right hand, but he quickly reversed. Despite Costa’s bigger punches, he only convinced two of three judges he was the victor and took home the split call by scores of 30-27, 28-29 and 29-28.

Full DWCS: Season 6, Week 1 results:

Joseph Pyfer def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (punches) – Round 2, 1:39

Anton Turkalj def. Acacio dos Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dennis Buzukja def. Kaleio Romero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alessandro Costa def. Andres Luna Martinetti via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)