The 10th annual season of Dana White’s Contender Series kicked off with plenty of action in Las Vegas.
DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception, four have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.
Last year’s edition saw 46 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly up from the 42 handed out in 2024. Episode one of season 10 this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.
Jon Kunneman vs. Joe Kropschot
Joe Kropschot consistently kept Kunneman at the end of his punches, keeping him at bay and at distance. Kunneman would try to work his way inside with combinations and flurries, but Kropschot would make him pay by tagging him.
This strategy made up most of the fight, with Kropschot in near-complete control.
Kunneman scored a takedown in the third round, but Kropschot reversed it and got on top. Kropschot even threatened an armbar in the closing seconds; however, he was unable to find the submission, even when it looked like he hyperextended the straightened arm of Kunneman.
Kropschot nearly swept the scorecards in a clear decision victory.
RESULT: Joe Kropschot def. Jon Kunneman via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) — CONTRACT AWARDED
Tom Pagliarulo vs. Ananias Mulumba
The fight between Tom Pagliarulo and Ananias Mulumba got off to a bang, as Pagliarulo landed a punch that knocked Mulumba down in the opening seconds — only for Mulumba to fire back with a shot that knocked Pagliarulo down moments later.
After a bit of a slowdown for both fighters to reset, Mulumba rocked Pagliarulo with a left hand. Pagliarulo landed a couple of takedowns to limit Mulumba, but the takedowns didn’t last long. Pagliarulo continued to mix up his striking and wrestling, but Mulumba’s defense was on point, stuffing takedowns.
However, Pagliarulo began to find his range, landing a series of punches, working Mulumba with leg kicks, and even doing damage with a couple of knees and elbows. Pagliarulo continued to work with his striking, eventually folding Mulumba in the final minute for a finish.
RESULT: Tom Pagliarulo def. Ananias Mulumba via TKO (Rd. 3, 4:24) — CONTRACT AWARDED
Bilal Hasan vs. Mridul Saikia
Bilal Hasan likes to get things done quickly, and that happened in this one. Just seconds into the bout with Mridul Saikia, Hasan dropped Saikia with a right hand, finishing him moments later after a barrage of punches.
RESULT: Bilal Hasan def. Mridul Saikia via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:45) —
CONTRACT AWARDED
Fabrizio Escarrega vs. Abe Alsaghir
Fabrizio Escarrega and Abe Alsaghir both came out displaying their power, looking to show off their boxing and do damage. After a grappling exchange against the fence, Escarrega brought Alsaghir to a knee with a punch to the head — then successfully scrambled and fended off Alsaghir’s attempts for a takedown.
The two went back to striking, exchanging to start the second round as Escarrega looked to pressure. By the 90-second mark of the round, Escarrega had already defended 10 takedown attempts from Alsaghir. That turned to 14 out of 14 attempts by the end of the round, as Escarrega continued to hold Alsaghir off.
The fight went back to the ground in round three, with Escarrega continuing to control on top, with one point looking for a D’Arce choke. From the bottom, Alsaghir looked for a desperation armbar and leg lock, but he couldn’t find either.
Despite the control, two judges felt Alsaghir’s activity was enough to earn him a controversial split decision victory.
RESULT: Abe Alsaghir def. Fabrizio Escarrega via split decision (27-30, 29-28 x2) — No contract awarded
Anthony Wint vs. Matt Adams
Wint landed a couple of strong leg kicks before Adams clinched up with him. Adams looked for a trip, but Wint reversed it. Wint then landed some devastating ground-and-pound, with the fight ending in 34 seconds.
RESULT: Anthony Wint def. Matt Adams via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:34) — CONTRACT AWARDED
