The 10th annual season of Dana White’s Contender Series wrapped up with plenty of season-concluding 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 10 of season 10 this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.
This brings this year’s total of UFC contracts handed out to 46, the same amount of contracts awarded in 2025, which ties a DWCS record.
This season also ended with 34 finishes, falling short of the record 36 set last season.
Ilias Bulaid vs Erick Visconde
Bulaid came out firing some speedy kicks, but Visconde responded with a takedown, getting quickly to Bulaid’s back. Bulaid looked to free himself against the fence, but Visconde managed to get him back down and looked for full mount. Bulaid gave his back up, and Visconde got a body triangle on him. Even though Bulaid got free with about a minute left in the first, Visconde quickly brought him back down again.
Bulaid looked to bring his kicks back out in round two, but Visconde dumped him back to the mat in response. Visconde continued to control the action from top position, though he needed to avoid a triangle attempt from Bulaid with about two minutes left in the round.
Visconde’s striking then got on more display during the third round, landing a big knee against the cage that rocked Bulaid. Bulaid survived, but the intensity in action decreased in the last minute or so, to the point where referee Mike Beltran warned both men twice for lack of activity.
Visconde’s domination led to him earning the win.
RESULT: Erick Visconde def. Ilias Bulaid via unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Contract not awarded
Aline Pereira vs Smilla Sundell
Sundell came out on the offensive, looking to use her size and pressure. Pereira focused on leg kicks while on the outside, while Sundell tried to measure up for a power shot. After some clinch work from Sundell, Pereira looked to find any sort of counter shot. Pereira did well defensively, albeit on the back foot due to Sundell’s pressure, before the two traded to close the first.
Sundell continued to try and pressure with strikes during the second round. Pereira, however, looked for the left hook, trying to land power shots about halfway through.
Sundell was on the front foot again in round three, though Pereira’s jabs could still land, with Sundell wearing some of those shots. With about 90 seconds left, Pereira tried to get inside, only to eat a knee from Sundell. After some trading and a takedown near the fence, Pereira looked to find the power shots, at the encouragement of brother Alex Pereira, but it wasn’t to be.
RESULT: Smilla Sundell def. Aline Pereira via unanimous decision (29-28 x3): CONTRACT AWARDED
William Rentz vs Luis Francischinelli
Rentz pushed the pace right away, pressing Francischinelli into the fence before taking him to the mat. Francischinelli was able to eventually work his way into top position and land a couple of shots. Back on the feet, Francischinelli avoided another takedown attempt, nearly getting a D’Arce. Then, he landed a counter left that dropped Rentz, landing some follow-up shots to score the finish.
RESULT: Luis Francischinelli def. William Rentz via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:18): CONTRACT AWARDED
Douglas da Lapa vs Davi Cabral
The two unbeaten middleweights got right to work, with both throwing for power in the opening frame. Da Lapa unleashed powerful combinations during the first round, while Cabral landed solid counterstrikes, as well as a takedown.
Cabral briefly wobbled da Lapa late in round one, but da Lapa continued to press forward. He then got his revenge in the second round, turning up the volume and intensity of his strikes. In fact, he landed a wild flurry late in the second round, rocking Cabral against the fence.
Cabral somehow survived that barrage, but a right hand and follow-up shots just seconds into the third round brought the fight to an emphatic end in da Lapa’s favor.
RESULT: Douglas da Lapa def. Davi Cabral via TKO (Rd. 3, 0:19): CONTRACT AWARDED
Jason Asher vs Gregory Foster
Foster came out looking to press the action, but Asher locked him up and briefly traded with him in a grappling battle against the fence. Foster then got his fists going, dropping Asher briefly. Asher, however, then quickly dropped Foster, as the two both landed hard shots.
Foster was busted open in the middle of his face, but he was landing the quicker-paced shots and combinations. This continued into the second round, as Foster kept pressure, not allowing Asher any space.
Foster continued to press, pinning Asher against the fence when he wasn’t working combinations. But Asher had his moments as well, including a spinning elbow in the third that made things more back-and-forth. In fact, even on the back foot, Asher found the mark with some solid hooks and combinations upstairs on Foster. The two did some action-filled exchanging on the ground in the third as well.
Ultimately, Foster received the win in this exciting matchup with 29-28s on all three judges’ cards.
RESULT: Gregory Foster def. Jason Asher via unanimous decision (29-28 x3): CONTRACT AWARDED
