The 10th annual season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued 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 nine of season 10 this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.
Preston LaGrange vs Nell Ariano
The two threw power from the opening minutes, with LaGrange cracking Ariano with a right hand. Ariano clinched LaGrange up, bringing him over to the fence. After about a minute of struggle, Ariano executed a judo throw, bringing LaGrange down with impact. LaGrange got back to his feet and stunned Ariano with an elbow before unleashing a series of shots to crumble Ariano and end the fight quickly.
RESULT: Preston LaGrange def. Nell Ariano via KO (Rd. 1, 2:24): CONTRACT AWARDED
Salhahuddin Everett vs Ozzy Martin
Both men fired off strong shots from the get-go, with both men landing single shots until Martin landed a combination 45 seconds in. A couple of left hands caused Martin to stumble, and a follow-up takedown attempt resulted in both men briefly slipping. Seconds later, Everett cracked Martin with a right hand that turned Martin’s lights out completely.
RESULT: Salhahuddin Everett def. Ozzy Martin via KO (Rd. 1, 1:57): CONTRACT AWARDED
Roque Conceicao vs Alexander Chavez
Conceicao brought the heat early, looking to land with his fists before Chavez tied him up briefly. Chavez tried to get his kicks going, but Conceicao continued to pressure, trying to limit what Chavez could bring out. Halfway through the round, Conceicao cracked Chavez. Chavez responded with a takedown attempt, only for Conceicao to roll through and look for submissions.
Chavez managed to get on top, in Conceicao’s guard. Conceicao locked up a triangle choke, and Chavez attempted to slam him, only to end up tightening the choke and getting submitted.
RESULT: Roque Conceicao def. Alexander Chavez via submission (triangle choke) (Rd. 1, 3:37): CONTRACT AWARDED
Ryuho Miyaguchi vs Mateus Soares
Soares looked to press right away with his combinations, mixing in leg kicks, as he landed the right hand early. A minute into the fight, Soares landed the right again, this time dropping Miyaguchi. Soares got in a couple of follow-up shots before the referee stepped in, ruling Miyaguchi out cold and giving Soares the quick victory.
RESULT: Mateus Soares def. Ryuho Miyaguchi via KO (Rd. 1, 1:03): CONTRACT AWARDED
Summer Onley vs Alivia Bierley
Bierley took to the center of the cage, while Onley circled on the outside, working her kicks. Bierley looked to judge her striking, and she landed a body kick a couple of minutes into the bout. Bierley looked to pick up her striking as the round went on, but a short right hand from Onley opened up a nasty cut around one of Bierley’s eyes. Onley then scored a takedown and got to the back before the round’s end.
The two started the second by exchanging kicks before Bierley looked to pick up her striking. But the right hand of Onley proved to be a difference maker, as she focused on it and landed a number of damaging shots with it. But Bierley bounced back, scoring a big takedown and landing damaging ground-and-pound as she dominated from that point and searched for a choke.
Bierley pinned Onley to the fence early in the third, but she was unable to get the takedown. Onley did not put the pressure on as she did in the first, and Bierley’s striking took over before scoring another takedown late in the round. Bierley searched for a head-and-arm choke, but Onley swept and reversed position.
Onley did nothing with the position, however, and Bierley took the decision win.
RESULT: Alivia Bierley def. Summer Onley via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): No contract awarded
