Dana White gets outvoted as 4 fighters earn UFC deals at DWCS finale

Dana White Candidate Series concluded its 10th season on Tuesday at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Four fighters served
Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts on
10th week to end the season.

Smilla Sundell joins Gregory Foster, Douglas Lapa and Luis Francischinelli as UFC contract winners; Erick Visconde misses out

Gregory Foster (9-1) and Jason Asher
(5-1) opened the card with a back-and-forth clash. Each fighter scored a knockdown, and Foster earned a unanimous decision after three rounds.

“Greg, happy birthday to Barbara and I hope she gets well soon,” UFC CEO Dana White said. “The pace you set tonight, the shots you took, the shots you took, you opened the show the way I like to open the show. And I’ve never been more excited for a 34-year-old man to come to the UFC. Congratulations.”

Douglas Lapa (7-0) head to head David Cabral
(7-1) in a middleweight bout. Both fighters hurt each other in the opening round before Lapa took control in the second. He dropped Cabral early in the third, prompting the referee to intervene after the ensuing punches.

Although Valge sometimes signs a contract for both participants in an impressive contest, only Lapa got it. White also mistakenly identified the 27-year-old Brazilian as 34, correcting himself in the post-fight press conference.

“Wow, what an incredible fight,” White said. “Cabra is a tank. I didn’t even think the guy was human until he knocked him down in the third round. I always say this: It takes two to make a great fight. He was definitely a great partner for you tonight. I guess the only way I can explain it is: Another 34-year-old guy I’m excited to see in the UFC. Congratulations, welcome.”

Luis Francischinelli (7-1) face William Rentz (8-3) in a welterweight match. Rentz found early success with his grappling, but Francischinelli dropped him with a left hook and finished with punches for a first-round TKO.

“Luis, you’re 7-1 right now, you weigh 170 pounds, you’re 10 feet tall,” White said upon signing the 6-foot-5 Brazilian to the UFC. “Another fun guy I’m looking forward to watching fight in the UFC. Best of luck.”

21 years old Smilla Sundell (3-0) head to head Alex Pereirasister, Aline Pereira (3-3), who is 15 years older than him. Sundell earned a unanimous decision. White said he wanted him to get more experience before joining the UFC, but matchmaker Mick Maynard disagreed.

“Smilla, so I thought you had a great fight,” White said. “You obviously dominated. But you’re really young and I think you just have time and more experience. Mick disagrees with me and thinks you’re a serious talent in the women’s division. So I’m outvoted tonight. Welcome to the UFC.”

Ilias Bulaid (9-1) and Eric Visconde (18-3) led the season finale. Visconde drew praise despite a dominant fight performance that earned him a unanimous decision. He did not get a UFC contract.

“Erick, I know you were fired up about that fight and you were yelling at me on the side of the cage,” White said. “You put on a wrestling masterclass tonight. But you didn’t do what I expected to see in the main event on the last episode of Contender. Obviously a hell of a tank and a really tough guy. Not today my friend.”