Dana White rips 2 DWCS winners, then awards both with UFC contracts

8th week about
Dana White Candidate Series Season 10 only had four fights due to last-minute cancellations.

Ilias Bulaid and Eric Visconde were scheduled to open the card at featherweight on Tuesday at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. However, the match was abandoned at the 11th hour after Bulaid fell ill despite weighing in. The meeting has been postponed
10th week DWCS 2026.

Dana White praised Adama Diop’s performance before he signed a UFC contract at DWCS Week 8.

Aieza Ramos Bertolso (8-0) won Camila Reynoso (9-2) in a strawweight match. Bertolso dominated Reynoso in every aspect before forcing him to tap to a Brabo choke in the first round.

Although he was a -500 favorite in the fight,
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White did not believe the probability at first. White admitted, however, that Bertolso proved the odds right with his dominant performance.

“Let’s start with Aieza… So you looked good on the feet and on the ground,” White told Bertolso upon signing the UFC contract. “You’re 8-0, 25 years old; you were a 5-1 favorite. I don’t think anybody is a 5-1 favorite, especially here in the Contender Series. You were definitely a 5-1 favorite. You look great. And I think you’re a great addition to the 115-pound division. Welcome to the UFC.”

Ian Escuza (8-0) scored a controversial stoppage victory in his featherweight bout Luca Borando (9-2). Escuza dropped Borando with a knee and followed up with a takedown to secure the stoppage in just 32 seconds. During the finishing sequence, Escuza hit another knee on the grounded Borando.

White said he believes the fight should have been banned. Although reluctant to sign Escusa, UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby went to bat for the undefeated Peruvian.

“Ian, unfortunately for you, I don’t agree with the athletic commission,” White said. “I think this fight should have been a no-contest. It was an illegal knee. I don’t think it was intentional. But not the way it should have gone. I don’t know how you get here with a DQ or a no-contest. But let me tell you this: Sean Shelby just fought hard for you. Sean Shelby said, ‘This guy is great.’ Don’t make Sean regret it. Welcome to the UFC.

White handed out UFC contracts to all four winners on Tuesday night.
Adama Diop (7-1) failed to impress the UFC boss despite picking up a stoppage win Zaurbek Sabanov (5-1). White said he believes Diop will be knocked out by UFC heavyweights if he fights the way he did Tuesday. However, he handed the 31-year-old Senegalese a UFC contract with a stern warning.

“Okay, big man (Adama Diop), your fight was terrible, sloppy and one of the worst fights I’ve seen in the Contender Series,” White said. “Your stand-up is terrible; you tried to wrestle for the win until the crowd started booing you out of that spot. And when you fought in the UFC, a UFC heavyweight kicks the *ss out of you like this kid didn’t and wins. And here’s an even bigger problem: You’re 31 when you do this night? How are you, don’t make me regret it?

Paddy Pimblettteammate, George Staines (9-0), scored a slam against the knockout Type Abushaar (7-2) in the main event. White was impressed by Staines’ dominating performance against his 6ft lightweight opponent.

“George, you faced a massive 155-pound guy and you absolutely destroyed him,” White said. “One of the best finishes ever; you made it look easy. Congratulations and welcome to the UFC.”