Mahamed Aly, one of BJJ’s most well known competitors, saw his MMA rise hit a roadblock in his Dana White’s Contender Series debut.

The former BJJ world champion, who left grappling in 2021 to pursue mixed martial arts, was stopped in just 20 seconds by undefeated Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski.

Aly had spent years sharpening his striking skills, even stepping into amateur boxing bouts before finally making his pro MMA debut in 2024.
That fight ended in spectacular fashion, with Aly scoring a knockout in under a minute.

He followed it up with three more victories, including a decision win and a highlight-reel finish over UFC veteran Jared Gooden.
The streak positioned him as a legitimate light-heavyweight prospect and earned him a shot on DWCS, where an emphatic performance can open the door to a UFC contract.

But his opponent was no easy task. Baraniewski entered the fight with a spotless record – five fights, five first-round finishes.
None of his past opponents had survived more than a few minutes, and Aly proved to be no exception.

The fight was over almost as soon as it began.
Aly flicked out a jab, and Baraniewski countered instantly with an overhand right that sent the Brazilian crashing to the mat.

A brief ground-and-pound sealed the deal, forcing the referee to step in.
With the win, Baraniewski not only handed Aly his first professional loss but also secured himself a UFC contract on the spot.

For Aly, the defeat is a setback – but not necessarily the end of his UFC hopes.
With a 4-1 record and elite grappling credentials, his journey in MMA is far from over.

He put the power on full display 👊

Iwo Baraniewski wasted no time getting the finish tonight! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/tQN4ssi25h

— UFC (@ufc) September 17, 2025

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