. MAIN EVENT .
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Benji Meyers (8-1) vs Marco Lawson (7-3)
. CO-MAIN EVENT .
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Omar Makonza (16-7) vs Cortez Gaines (5-0)
. UNDERCARD .
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Bo Austin (13-3) vs Lito Belucci (8-2)
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Ryan Beasley (7-0) vs Cameron Moss (7-0)
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
Gibrelle Arroya (9-0) vs Torri Duncan (4-0)
. PRELIMS .
CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT
Bert Rogers (22-14) vs Hank Hayes (9-15-2)
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Bobby Barnett (13-7) vs Ka’ili Tuiasosopo (6-0)
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Da’vion Woodard (11-3) vs Jaylen Hughes (7-0)
CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT
Mikael Ekström (9-3) vs Alfie O’Shea (8-3)
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Kaprice Gamble (11-4) vs Lincoln Whitfield (11-4)
Venue: Union GP Performance Institute
Capacity: 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Date: February 15, 2022
EVENT NOTES:
It’s the inaugural event for Dante Reed’s International Promotions, aka DRIP. It’s a very intimate environment, mostly reserved for fellow teammates and coaches associated with the fighters tonight, along with a handful of reporters and notable members of the MMA community. Most notably in attendance are the three-headed honchos of Union Grand Prix; Dante Reed, Perry Wallace, and Cass Madrigal. With ten fights scheduled, the up and coming class of MMA fighters have a chance to break the glass ceiling and earn a shot at the big leagues.
There was no specifics announced prior to the show on how many contracts would be offered tonight, giving these tense moments a true gladiator-type feel. Impress the bosses enough, and you could be walking out a contracted combatant.
The night was filled with electrifying moments from start to finish, giving the lucky spectators justification to be excited for the future of this sport. Not only did every winner of the night score a contract offer, but a select few who came up short were also offered contracts based on their willingness to leave it all out there in the octagon.
There were big highlight reel moments from the likes of Benji Meyers, Lito Belucci, and Da’vion Woodard, but perhaps the biggest water cooler moment happened during the featured prelim bout. Cruiserweight contender and Michigan native Hank Hayes issued a seething challenge to fellow Michigan native Cal McCluskey for UGP 32, which takes place in Detroit later this month.
RESULTS:
Kaprice Gamble def. Lincoln Whitfield by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Alfie O’Shea def. Mikael Ekström by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Da’vion Woodard def. Jaylen Hughes by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:04 Round 3
Ka’ili Tuiasosopo def. Bobby Barnett by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Hank Hayes def. Bert Rogers by KO (Punch) at 3:27 Round 3
Gibrelle Arroya def. Torri Duncan by TKO (knees) at 4:22 Round 1
Cameron Moss def. Ryan Beasley by TKO (GnP) at 3:06 Round 2
Lito Belucci def. Bo Austin by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 1:11 Round 2
Cortez Gaines def. Omar Makonza by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 29-28)
Benji Meyers def. Marco Lawson by KO (Punches) at 1:37 Round 1
CONTRACTS OFFERED:
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Ka’ili Tuiasosopo (7-0)
Cortez Gaines (6-0)
Bobby Barnett (13-8)
Omar Makonza (16-8)
CRUISERWEIGHTS
Hank Hayes (10-15-2)
Alfie O’Shea (9-3)
Mikael Ekström (9-4)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Kaprice Gamble (12-4)
Da’vion Woodard (12-3)
Lito Belucci (9-2)
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Benji Meyers (9-1)
Cameron Moss (8-0)
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Gibrelle Arroya (10-0)