The opening bout of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, Week 1 delivered a middleweight war between Jon Kunneman and Joe Kropschot…
With both fighters swinging for a UFC contract from the opening bell.
Kunneman landed the harder shots and controlled much of the first round, taking risks throughout, while Kropschot leaned on his reach advantage, working Kunneman with jabs, leg kicks, and body shots.
Round two opened well for Kropschot, who scored an early takedown but couldn’t capitalize on it.
Kunneman, still undefeated at the time, turned momentum his way later in the round with a hard right hook that dropped Kropschot and led to a submission hunt.
When that attempt didn’t land, Kunneman pressed forward, looking like the fresher fighter and bloodying Kropschot with sharp combinations.
The third round opened with Kunneman hunting for a finishing overhand right, but the shot never connected.
Kropschot took over from there, outworking Kunneman with a higher volume of punches and kicks for most of the round.
In the closing seconds, Kunneman scored a late takedown, only for Kropschot to scramble into an armbar.
Kunneman refused to tap even as his arm dislocated.
The judges scored it for Kropschot by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
Check out the the armbar break/dislocation below:
TOO MUCH ON THE LINE TO TAP 😤
Jon Kunneman vs Joseph Kropschot goes to the scorecards!
LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/UOpAYZ0Kd9
— UFC (@ufc) August 11, 2026
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