Former NC State All-American Wrestler Tommy Gantt Earns UFC Contract in Dana White’s Contender Series

Former NC State All-American Wrestler Tommy Gantt earned a UFC contract on Tuesday, defeating Adam Livingston in Dana White’s Contender Series via a guillotine choke submission at the 2:47 mark in the 1st round.

“OH THAT’S NASTY” 😤

Thomas Gantt gets the first round submission #DWCS! pic.twitter.com/yeGNQtjEYt

— UFC (@ufc) September 17, 2025

Gantt had UFC legend Daniel Cormier in his corner for the fight.

 

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Gantt had been training with Cormier at his new facility,‘The Academy,’ in Gilroy, CA.

Check out what Gantt had to say about his relationship with Cormier, the former Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion.

“I think we relate to each other in the regard that he started a little bit late, kind of like I did, and just the wrestling background,” Gantt told MMA Junkie and other reporters on Tuesday. “It’s tough. We grew up in two similar backgrounds. He grew up in Lafayette, I grew up in St. Louis, two rough cities. It’s hard to make it out, and you just kind of keep that mentality and push it to something else, something positive like fighting. He just knows, easily relatable.” (Link)

In 1 year and 5 months, Gantt has racked up an 11-0 professional MMA record in a flash.

Gantt has been serving as an assistant coach with the Wolfpack Wrestling Team since 2023.

He was an ACC Champion and All-American in 2016, and earned All-ACC honors in 2014 and 2016. His 91 collegiate wins ranks 14th in NC State history.