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 six prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.
Roman Puga vs Taner Trembley
Roman Puga’s boxing, particularly his jab and right straight, gave him an early edge in the fight. During the opening round, in fact, he managed to knock Trembley down. Trembley, however, got back to his feet and tried to work his counterstriking and staying in the bout.
Puga continued to find this kind of success in round two. The third, however, proved a different story — Trembley went for broke, landing powerful shots and doing damage to Puga. After a brief period on the ground, the two traded blows in the final minute, leaving everything in the Octagon.
The first two rounds, despite Trembley’s late efforts, were enough for the judges to give the nod to Puga.
RESULT: Roman Puga def. Taner Trembley via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) — CONTRACTS AWARDED TO BOTH PUGA AND TREMBLEY
Alik Lorenz vs Mahamed Aly
In his second Dana White’s Contender Series appearance, Mahamed Aly looked to get off to a head start in his bout with Alik Lorenz, targeting the leg with kicks. Lorenz, meanwhile, looked to land from range, trying to get his striking going.
Lorenz picked things up with the right hand before one of those dropped Aly. Lorenz swarmed Aly with devastating ground-and-pound to put Aly out cold for the win.
RESULT: Alik Lorenz def. Mahamed Aly via KO (Rd. 1, 2:23) — CONTRACT AWARDED
Logan Paxton vs Cristian Perez
Logan Paxton came out on the front foot early, looking to control the action against Cristian Perez right away. Both had their fair share of strikes in, as the two traded back-and-forth, with Perez looking to use distance management.
Perez landed a counter right hand in the second round, dropping Paxton. Paxton got back to his feet quickly, but Perez stayed on him, landing a left hand to floor Paxton again.
Perez followed up with ground-and-pound to solidify the stoppage win.
RESULT: Cristian Perez def. Logan Paxton via TKO (Rd. 2, 1:06) — CONTRACT AWARDED
Douglas Rodrigues vs Trent Miller
The striking of Douglas Rodrigues was on display early, doing damage with heavy kicks and working Miller with combinations. Miller survived the early storm, however, and he landed a left hand to rock Rodrigues. Miller then scored a takedown and controlled Rodrigues for the remainder of the round with his top control and ground strikes.
Miller tried to bring the fight to the ground again to start round two, but Rodrigues threatened a guillotine choke in response. Miller scored a slam to answer right back, eventually working his way into a Von Flue choke, putting Rodrigues to sleep and scoring the victory with just the second Von Flue choke in DWCS history — and as the biggest underdog of the night.
RESULT: Trent Miller defeats Douglas Rodrigues via submission (Von Flue choke) (Rd. 2, 1:04) — CONTRACT AWARDED
Namo Fazil vs Kaik Brito
Brito kept his distance to start and was able to tag Fazil with a couple of right hands and elbows. Fazil looked to use his pressure to trap Brito, but Brito kept using his footwork and working his boxing. Fazil landed a spinning backfist late in the opening round, but Brito responded by scoring a takedown — and a spinning back elbow not long after.
Fazil’s powerful striking picked up at the start of round two, as he and Brito traded with one another. Fazil continued to connect, and while Brito was still in it, he was slowing down and getting trapped in the ways that Fazil had been looking for. The two landed
Brito failed to get a jumping knee to start the round, and Fazil looked to pressure. But Brito got the last laugh, landing an overhand right for a walk-off KO.
RESULT: Kaik Brito def. Namo Fazil via KO (Rd. 3, 0:12) — CONTRACT AWARDED
