"My opponent got changed kind of last minute. So we went from a guy that was bigger, that had the same kind of level of volume and less punching power, and we went to a guy that was smaller, but had less volume but more punching power,"
"Decisions had to be made, man. I worked a lot, and I worked on a lot of things. And I had to make a decision. It's a tough one, because you have to provide for your family. It's always tough, because things are going to get tight. But I knew it my heart it was going to be the right decision, and I was able to make it. So I'm very happy with the decision I made."
Ryan Gandra earned a UFC contract after a first-round finish of Trent Miller on Week 3 of Dana White's Contender Series 2025. A late opponent change shifted the matchup from a larger, higher-volume fighter with less punching power to a smaller fighter with lower volume but greater power. Gandra and his team demonstrated adaptability and readiness to prepare for opponents on short notice. Prior to pursuing MMA full time, Gandra worked in sanitation and as an electrician to provide for his family. Gandra made a decisive choice to prioritize fighting despite financial uncertainty. The outcome rewarded that choice and positioned Gandra as a new UFC fighter with championship ambitions.
Read at Cageside Press
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