Jose Delano won a UFC contract after a unanimous decision victory over Manuel Exposito on Dana White's Contender Series, landing over 100 significant strikes across three rounds. The fight delivered extended, high-level action rather than an early finish and generated talk of Fight of the Night and potential Fight of the Year consideration. Matchmaker Sean Shelby and Dana White identified Delano as one of the most ready competitors from the series to join the UFC roster. Delano expressed gratitude, promised further improvement, emphasized his focus on training over watching fights, and requested a debut booking in Rio de Janeiro.
"I think it just only made the spectacle and the fight itself even better. Because you're talking about two athletes that were very capable of being here, and deserving,"
"I think also, it's something we promised. We said we're going to give you Fight of the Night, and possibly we're in the running for Fight of the Year, and the season. You could be looking at this fight as one of the best of the year."
"I'm flattered and grateful. If they are saying it, I'm going to believe it. I'm not one to watch the fights,"
"I don't even know many of the people that could be on my path in the division. But they [Shelby and White] watch a lot of fights, they've seen a thing or two. So if they're saying that, I truly believe it, I appreciate it, and I'm honored."
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