Dana White Awards 4 New UFC Contracts and One TUF Invite as DWCS Ends

Dana White has given out a record 37 contracts in this season of the contender series. This Tuesday saw the last contender series card of 2020 and it did not disappoint. Episode 10 of Season 4 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The DWCS first started in 2017 and has been a huge success since. ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley, Kevin Holland, Geoff Neal among others, have all made their way to the UFC through the show.

This Tuesday saw Victoria Leonardo, Tucker Lutz, Gloria de Paula, and JP Buys all securing their UFC contracts. The only winner from Tuesday who did not secure a contract was Nick Maximov. Instead, he will be offered a spot on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

JP Buys def. Jacob Silva

The night for DWCS started with some controversy as JP Buys (9-2) claimed a first-round stoppage win over Jacob Silva (6-4). Buys was able to take the fight to the floor and once on the ground, he locked in a deep guillotine choke in the last minute of the round. 

Referee Marc Goddard waved off the fight with six seconds left. However, it seemed that Silva never went unconscious from the choke. Goddard ultimately stood by his decision, even with Silva’s immediate protest.

Buys was awarded his UFC contract and has matched his wife Cheyanne Buys, who won her contract earlier in the season. They became the first husband & wife to win contracts on DWCS.

Nick Maximov def. Oscar Cota

In a heavyweight clash, Nick Maximov (6-0), a member of the Nick Diaz Academy in Stockton, California, moved up from light heavyweight to take on Oscar Cota (11-3). Despite a 54-pound weight difference, Maximov managed to get the win and keep his undefeated record.

The UFC president did not offer Maximov a UFC contract. However, White did say that he would offer Maximov a spot on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Gloria de Paula def. Pauline Macias

In women’s strawweight action, Gloria de Paula (5-2) secured a unanimous decision win over Pauline Macias (4-1). The Brazilian showcased her dominant striking to hand Macias the first loss of her career.

While Macias faded late, she refused to quit. Hence, De Paula had to settle for a decision win, 30-26 on all three cards. Despite going the distance, the UFC President offered her a UFC contract.

Tucker Lutz def. Sherrard Blackledge

It is not every day that we see a decision win awarded a contract on DWCS, let alone twice. In the lightweight contest, Tucker Lutz (11-1) picked up his eleventh consecutive win by defeating Sherrard Blackledge (5-1).

Both fighters have fought on the DWCS series before and returned to secure their contracts. Lutz handed Blackledge the first loss of his career. With the judges scoring 30-27 on all three cards, Lutz was awarded a UFC contract.

Victoria Leonardo def. Chelsea Hackett

Flyweight Victoria Leonardo (8-2) recorded a second-round TKO over the formerly unbeaten Chelsea Hackett (3-1-1) in the first fight of the night.

Although Leonardo took some damage along the way in the fight, she ultimately was able to stop her opponent. Leonardo took the fight to the ground and engaged in a ground and pound. While Hackett did her best to roll out, referee Marc Goddard had to step in due to the non-stop barrage of punches.

Leonardo was awarded a UFC contract for her performance.

When will Dana White Tuesday Night Contender return?

DWCS is scheduled to return in 2021. However, Dana White is concerned with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the regional shows.

In conversation with Laura Sanko, White said, “I’ll tell you what’s a real concern for me and what I’m nervous about is all these smaller shows around the world that aren’t going right now. I got to start signing some more small shows to Fight Pass so that they can get up and running and make some money and create new talent.”

Dana White’s Contender Series will return in 2021. The UFC President will look to bring in the next crop of talent who will get the opportunity to win a UFC contract.

Read: “He is Gonna Go Up to 30” – Dana White Gives a Major Update on Khabib Nurmagomedov