DWCS Season 6, Week 1 results: Joe Pyfer closes show with knockout – and gets only UFC 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’s win capped off a night of largely tactical affairs that went to the scorecards – and immediately captured UFC President Dana White’s attention. The exec rewarded the performance with the only UFC contract a night, a stark reversal from many earlier events in which as many as five fighters earned deals.

” “Show me your Tuesday night face,” White told next week’s fighters during an interview with Laura Sanko following the UFC APEX fights that concluded on Tuesday in Las Vegas. That’s all I care about. Be Joe Pyfer. Be excited to be here. Try to knock your opponent out. You can be Joe Pyfer to get in 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. The Swede was surprised that White didn’t attend the fight and the bout lasted only five rounds.

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. Romero, a member of Team Alpha Male was able to balance his inexperience and his toughness with some smothering wrestling. At the start, he did just enough slugging to trap Buzukja against the fence.

Buzukja could have fought the entire fight against the links if he hadn’t broken away in round two and landed an elbow that almost killed 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. He scored with his heavy hands at the end of each round. Luna helped him even in round 2. He was a bit too relaxed and left his head exposed during withdrawal. A right hand sent Luna to the canvas, though he was able to quickly reverse. 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)