Azamat Murzakanov (image via UFC/Twitter)

By FCF Staff

The fifth season of Dana White’s Contender Series kicked off tonight in Las Vegas, and it saw five fighters pick up UFC contracts.

Light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov and welterweight A.J. Fletcher were awarded UFC deals, for scoring first-round, stoppage wins.

Featherweight Joanderson Brito was granted a contract for his technical decision win, which came after Diego Lopes could not continue in round three, due to an accidental eye poke.

At flyweight, both Victor Altamirano and Carlos Candelario were also awarded UFC deals, on account of their memorable war. Candelario became the first fighter to receive a UFC contract in the series, following a loss.

DWCS 37

Azamat Murzakanov def. Matheus Scheffel via TKO (punches) R1, 3:01
Joanderson Brito def. Diego Lopes via technical decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28, Lopes could not continue after incurring accidental eyepoke) R3, 0:12
Victor Altamirano def. Carlos Candelario via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
A.J. Fletcher def. Leonardo Damiani via knockout (flying knee) R1, 2:24