Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 8 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 8
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 0:17
R1, 2:52
Contract Winner
Nigeria
R1, 1:48
Contract Winner
R2, 1:02
Contract Winner
R2, 1:55
Official Event Results
Contract Award
Official Contract Awards
Official UFC Contract Recipients
UFC Contract Winner: Devonte Smith earned an official UFC contract with a devastating first-round elbow knockout over unbeaten prospect Joe Lowry.
UFC Contract Winner: Kennedy Nzechukwu secured a promotional contract with a dominant 1:48 head kick and punch stoppage over Dennis Bryant.
UFC Contract Winner: Bobby Moffett punched his ticket to the Octagon by submitting Jacob Kilburn with a textbook D’Arce choke at 1:02 of Round 2.
Developmental Status: Main event winner Greg Hardy, who previously signed a developmental deal following Week 1, was reaffirmed for promotional advancement following his 17-second knockout.
Reported Payouts & Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Purses for Dana White’s Contender Series are regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). While standard DWCS promotional contracts typically feature a $5,000 to show and $5,000 to win structure, exact individual disclosed earnings for this episode were not officially published by the commission and are represented as — to maintain factual verification.
Historic Contender Series Records Set
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 2, Week 8
Every single bout on the five-fight card concluded via stoppage (3 knockouts, 2 submissions), marking one of the rare 100% finish events in DWCS history.
Former NFL All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy stopped Tebaris Gordon in just 17 seconds, recording the fastest stoppage of Week 8 and one of the fastest in heavyweight DWCS history.
Greg Hardy secured his second consecutive sub-minute victory under the DWCS banner, following his 57-second knockout over Austen Lane in Week 1.
Devonte Smith handed previously undefeated CFFC champion Joe Lowry (8-0) his first career defeat, stopping him with standing defensive elbows at 2:52 of Round 1.
Devonte Smith executed a rare Travis Browne-style barrage of downward elbows while defending a takedown against the fence to seal his UFC contract.
After missing out on a contract following a split-decision victory in Season 1, Kennedy Nzechukwu returned in Season 2 to stop Dennis Bryant via head kick and punches in 1:48.
Bouts 1 and 2 produced consecutive D’Arce choke submissions in the featherweight division by Alex Gilpin (1:55 of R2) and Bobby Moffett (1:02 of R2).
Dana White awarded official promotional contracts to Devonte Smith, Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Bobby Moffett for their sensational stoppage victories.
Week 8 brought the curtain down on Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series, finalizing a record-setting class of 23 fighters signed to the UFC roster.
Alex Gilpin absorbed 85 significant strikes before locking in a fight-ending D’Arce choke, handing previously unbeaten prospect JR Coughran his first professional defeat.
With three first-round stoppages and two early second-round submissions, the five bouts averaged just 3 minutes and 46 seconds of cage time per bout.
Kennedy Nzechukwu landed 17 of 20 head strikes in just 108 seconds of action, delivering an astonishing 86% striking accuracy in his light heavyweight victory.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 8 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 8 took place on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Greg Hardy and Tebaris Gordon?
Former NFL player Greg Hardy defeated Tebaris Gordon via TKO (punches) in just 17 seconds of Round 1.
Which fighters were awarded official UFC contracts on this episode?
UFC President Dana White awarded promotional contracts to three fighters: lightweight Devonte Smith, light heavyweight Kennedy Nzechukwu, and featherweight Bobby Moffett.
How fast was Greg Hardy’s knockout victory over Tebaris Gordon?
Greg Hardy stopped Tebaris Gordon in only 17 seconds, landing 14 of 18 strikes to score the fastest victory of the night.
How did Devonte Smith defeat Joe Lowry to earn his UFC contract?
Devonte Smith landed a series of devastating standing defensive elbows against the cage while defending a takedown, knocking out Joe Lowry at 2:52 of Round 1.
How did Kennedy Nzechukwu finish Dennis Bryant?
Kennedy Nzechukwu dropped Dennis Bryant with a clean left head kick followed by ground punches to win via TKO at 1:48 of Round 1.
What submission did Bobby Moffett use to defeat Jacob Kilburn?
Bobby Moffett secured a tight D’Arce choke at 1:02 of Round 2, forcing Jacob Kilburn to tap out and securing his UFC contract.
Did Alex Gilpin earn a UFC contract with his submission win?
Despite submitting JR Coughran with a D’Arce choke at 1:55 of Round 2, Alex Gilpin was not selected for a UFC contract on this episode due to the high competition for available roster spots.
Did any fight go to a decision at DWCS Season 2, Week 8?
No. All five fights on the card ended via stoppage—three knockouts in the first round and two second-round submissions—producing a 100% finish rate.
Who were the commentators and announcers for this event?
The fight card was called by play-by-play announcer Dan Hellie and UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder, with Joe Martinez as cage announcer and Laura Sanko conducting post-fight interviews.
Where was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 8 broadcast?
The event streamed live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass in the United States, starting at 8:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
Was there a live audience in attendance for the fights?
The event took place at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas with an intimate studio production setup and no general ticket sales, resulting in a live gate of $0.
Did Greg Hardy earn a contract from this specific fight?
Greg Hardy had already signed a developmental contract following his Week 1 win over Austen Lane; his 17-second knockout over Gordon confirmed his upcoming transition to the active UFC roster.
What made Devonte Smith’s knockout finish unique?
Smith utilized downward, legal 12-to-6 angle defensive elbows from an upright stance while defending against Lowry’s double-leg takedown attempt against the cage, instantly rendering his opponent unconscious.
How many total contracts were awarded across Dana White’s Contender Series Season 2?
Season 2 concluded with 23 fighters awarded UFC contracts across the eight-week summer series, breaking the previous season’s record.
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