Jose Delano
Ze
Brazil
Earns contract with dominant main event
Delano defeated Manuel Exposito via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. After the show, he was one of five fighters to be awarded an official UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Delano has arguably been UFC-ready for quite some time, as he had competed in headline fights under the banner of LFA and entered this bout on a three-fight winning streak there, with his last two coming via stoppage. His experience was likely a big factor in the 28-year-old entering as a betting favorite in the ballpark of (-800), and while he didn't get the finish, he looked the part in a dominant effort. He won the significant striking battle by 30 or more in each round, and when it was all said and done, the lopsided final count was 146-to-38 in his favor. Delano also did great mixing in body work, recording double-digit significant strikes to the body in each round. Given his experience and the fact Delano is likely past "prospect" status at his current age, there's little need for the UFC to bring the featherweight along slowly.
Delano has arguably been UFC-ready for quite some time, as he had competed in headline fights under the banner of LFA and entered this bout on a three-fight winning streak there, with his last two coming via stoppage. His experience was likely a big factor in the 28-year-old entering as a betting favorite in the ballpark of (-800), and while he didn't get the finish, he looked the part in a dominant effort. He won the significant striking battle by 30 or more in each round, and when it was all said and done, the lopsided final count was 146-to-38 in his favor. Delano also did great mixing in body work, recording double-digit significant strikes to the body in each round. Given his experience and the fact Delano is likely past "prospect" status at his current age, there's little need for the UFC to bring the featherweight along slowly.
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