DWCS – S9W7 – Djani Barbir vs Mantas Kondratavičius

Djani Barbir and Mantas Kondratavičius closed out Dana White’s Contender Series Week 7 on September 23, 2025, in a main event that had high stakes for both fighters. Barbir entered the cage undefeated, eager to prove he belonged at the next level, while Kondratavičius carried a reputation as a dangerous finisher looking for his breakthrough moment. The atmosphere inside the UFC Apex was tense, knowing one decisive performance could change a career.

As the fight began, Kondratavičius wasted no time asserting himself. He pressured forward immediately, cutting off the cage and forcing Barbir to fight off the back foot. An early takedown attempt briefly put Barbir on the mat, but he scrambled up quickly, refusing to stay grounded. Both men threw heavy shots in the pocket, with Kondratavičius landing the cleaner punches in the opening exchange.

Just over a minute into the round, Kondratavičius found the opening he was looking for. He uncorked a powerful overhand right that landed flush, dropping Barbir hard to the canvas. Smelling the finish, Kondratavičius pounced, raining down ground-and-pound until the referee had no choice but to step in and stop the fight at 1:06 of Round 1.

Barbir immediately protested the stoppage, clearly frustrated and believing he could have continued, but the replay showed just how clean the finishing shot had landed. Kondratavičius’ composure and precision had made the difference — he capitalized the moment he hurt his opponent and never allowed Barbir back into the fight.

The result moved Mantas Kondratavičius to 8-1 and earned him a coveted UFC contract, one of six handed out that night. His ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver a quick, definitive finish left a strong impression on Dana White and the viewers. For Barbir, it was a tough first loss, but one that could fuel his comeback as he regroups for another run at the big stage.