Nell Ariano, a judo black belt who spent nearly a decade with the French National Team, is entering Dana White’s Contender Series as a massive five-to-one favorite tonight, and his story goes way deeper than just the odds. The dude suffered a stroke only four years ago, and now he is stepping into the Meta APEX fighting for his father, who is battling cancer. Talk about heart, right? Ten fighters are chasing their UFC dreams on Tuesday night, and the stakes are absolutely through the roof.
Dana White’s Former Runner Is Ready to Explode
Get this: Sal Everett, a hometown hero, is about to throw down, and UFC CEO and President Dana White knows him well. Everett literally worked in the UFC mailroom, then security, before becoming White’s personal runner. White nonchalantly told him he was fighting on Contender Series while Everett was stocking a fridge. Wild! White even confessed he’d be rooting for Everett, but don’t think matchmakers gave him an easy path. Nah, he’s one of the night’s smallest betting favorites against fellow finisher Ozzy Martin. The Meta APEX’s renovations better have a warranty, because if Everett pulls this off, that roof is gone!
Redemption Stories and Grappling Dominance
Beyond Ariano’s incredible fight, there’s a whole night of second chances and raw talent. Roque Conceicao is back on Contender Series after taking a loss to Imanol Rodriguez last year. That loss aged surprisingly well, though, considering Rodriguez scored a first-round knockout at UFC 332 on his meteoric rise. Then there’s Ryuho Miyaguchi, who’s looking for a new path to the promotion after his loss in the Road to UFC tournament. And in the main event, all eyes are on Summer Onley. She’s favored to win a UFC contract, and for good reason. Onley is an accomplished grappler who has knocked out nearly every woman she’s fought, all under the tutelage of UFC veteran Pete Spratt. Spratt, by the way, fought champions Carlos Newton, Robbie Lawler, and Georges St-Pierre in consecutive fights. Talk about a resume!
The action from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas kicks off Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET. Every subscriber can catch all the fights live on Paramount+, which is now the exclusive home of UFC for the next seven years through 2033. That’s every UFC numbered event, every Fight Night, Contender Series, and “The Ultimate Fighter” episodes all in one spot. Don’t miss these hopefuls putting it all on the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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