Dana White hands UFC deal to 22-year-old following controversial 15-second KO
Sherdog • • sports
Key Points:
- Modestino Rodrigues secured a rapid 15-second victory over Brandon Holmes in a middleweight bout during Week 4 of Dana White's Contender Series 2026, earning an UFC contract despite controversy over the referee's early stoppage.
- Referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight while Holmes was still conscious and actively defending, leading Dana White to label it one of the most controversial stoppages in DWCS history.
- Rodrigues, a 22-year-old Brazilian known for quick finishes, has won all eight of his professional fights by stoppage, with six victories occurring within two minutes.
- Rodrigues credited his success to intense training and sacrifices, including being away from his family for nine months to prepare for the DWCS bout, expressing gratitude for MMA's life-changing impact.
