GB's Connor earns UFC contract despite defeat

Callum Connor (right) made his professional debut in December 2022 [Getty Images]Britain's Callum Connor was given a UFC contract despite losing in Dana White's Contender Series, but Norbert Novenyi Jr missed out despite winning.

>Six fighters from Tuesday's five fights earned contracts in MMA's leading promotion - four of the winners plus two losers, including 26-year-old Connor.

>Peru's Piero Guaylupo earned a unanimous decision over lightweight rival Connor, who suffered the first professional loss of his career.

>UFC president White said it could be a fight of the year contender because it contained more significant strikes than any UFC lightweight three-round bout.

>"Both of these guys are in the hospital right now, as they should be," said White.

>"One of the greatest fights you'll ever see on Tuesdays or Saturdays or any other day.

>"For Piero to be 21 years old and fight the way he did, the fight was incredible. But it takes two guys to make a great fight. I'm taking them both."

>Connor, from Manchester, now has a pro record of 8-1, including a four-fight win streak on UK promotion Full Contact Contender.

>Middleweight Novenyi, who was born in Hungary but now fights out of London, earned a unanimous decision over American Theo Haig to improve his pro record to 11-1.

>But the 26-year-old was the only fighter who won on Tuesday not to be given a contract. He was told by White that "tonight's not your night, my friend".

>"Norbert, both of you guys have great records," White said. "You came in, fought a good fight.

>"Unfortunately, I didn't see anything tonight that makes me say, 'I got to have this guy in the UFC'.

>"Whatever you decide to do here, we would like to take another look at you."

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