Nick Newell reacts to tough Contender Series loss

Last night, Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series returned to our screens with another great card. Of all the bouts on this card, none were as anticipated as the main event, which saw former World Series of Fighting Standout Nick Newell get his long-awaited shot at a UFC contract opposite Team Alpha Male’s Alex Munoz.

Newell is a congenital amputee, whose arm left ends just below the elbow. While UFC President Dana White initially referred to Newell as a “liability,” it seemed that even he was getting behind the star ahead of last night’s Contender Series.

Nick Newell is a one armed fighter with an incredible record of 14-1. His only loss is to Justin Gaethje. He came to me and wanted the opportunity to get into the @ufc. Today he fights on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series to win a contract at 8pm on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/HUO2PMzrpr

— danawhite (@danawhite) July 24, 2018

“Nick Newell is a one armed fighter with an incredible record of 14-1,” White said in a Monday Tweet, singing Newell’s praises. “His only loss is to Justin Gaethje. He came to me and wanted the opportunity to get into the [UFC]. Today he fights on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series to win a contract at 8pm on [UFC Fight Pass].”

Unfortunately for Newell and his legions of fans, this fight did not go as planned. Instead of locking up another one of his patented chokes, he was outfought for three rounds, succumbing to big shots on the feet, giving up multiple takedowns, and absorbing plenty of ground-and-pound.

In the end, the judges scored it unanimously for Alex Munoz — who was not awarded a UFC contract.

https://twitter.com/Hamderlei/status/1021942032569229313

Despite this undeniably demoralizing outcome, Nick Newell seems to be in good spirits. In a brief, post-fight statement to Instagram, Newell assured that he will be back.

“Not my night, no excuses,” Newell said in a classy post-fight statement. “Props to Alex Munoz. Class act, great fighter. I’ll be back.”

What do you think the future holds for Nick Newell after his loss on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/23/2018.