Tom Anderson Discusses Contender Series, TUF, A1 Combat

Beginning the organization as “FirePower” back in 2022 fresh off COVID regulations, Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat President Tom Anderson has shifted the organization to be one of the rising professional mixed martial arts promotions on the West Coast, let alone all the United States, being broadcast on UFC Fight Pass along with having some of the top prospects in MMA today. 

Most recently serving as a beginning spot for current-day UFC rising starlet Payton Talbott, the young organization saw three of its stars picked up for Dana White’s Contender Series this season in flyweight Jack Duffy, bantamweight Billy Brand and another former A1 combat champion in featherweight Ernie Juarez.

A1 Combat Alums Take to the Apex Octagon on TUF and DWCS

The lighter weight classes have not been the only ones getting the call from A1 though, with middleweight Ryan Loder most recently winning the middleweight side of the bracket over Robert Valentin for the 32nd season of the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter: Team Grasso vs. Team Shevchenko.

To kick off the third week of the eighth season, fans were treated with the last of the A1 crop to hit the Contender Series stage in Jack Duffy taking on a last minute opponent replacement in former Division I wrestling standout Nick Piccininni.

Jack Duffy won that fight on the Verdict Scorecard. pic.twitter.com/LPmLMBLVtn

— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) August 28, 2024

That has to be 29-28 Jack Duffy

Horrible, horrible judging. In no universe did Piccininni win the 1st or 3rd round

— Martian MMA (@UFO_UFC) August 28, 2024

Anderson Weighs In on Piccininni Win 

Although many fans and reporters alike saw the fight as a win for Duffy, scorecards read off for a split decision nod going in the direction of Piccininni. When asking the man otherwise known as “Dana White-ish” about the decision, Anderson had some differing opinions to the scorecards that were read off.

“I don’t know what fight the judges were watching, and clearly Dana White felt the same way,” Anderson said. “He went right back in the backroom after the decision and told Jack that was (expletive deleted.)”

A1 Combat an Avenue for Top Prospects

When asked about the possibility of seeing the return of any of the aforementioned gentlemen that participated in this past season of Contender Series, Anderson made it clear that the organization will always serve as a home for any contenders that are looking for their shot at the big stage.

“You know, they need to get back on the horse,  man, get in there, start fighting again and then get back on Contenders next year or get called up directly,” he mentioned. “I would imagine they would need some more regional fights, they have always done great. I love Ernie, Billy and Jack”

Want to check out the full interview? Hit the link below!