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Dana White’s Contender Series begins its 10th annual season on Tuesday, August 11th, where up-and-comers will be looking to showcase their talents in hopes to one day compete in the UFC. The DWCS has already produced UFC superstars such as Jamahal "Sweet Dreams" Hill (Season 3), Ricky Simón (Season 1), “Suga” Sean O’Malley (Season 1), along with plenty more athletes whose dreams to sign a UFC contract turned into fruition after fighting at the DWCS. Watch This Season Of Dana White's Contender Series Only On Paramount+ Season 10 will feature 10 weekly episodes every Tuesday night on Paramount+, beginning at 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each episode will feature different fighters – usually five individual bouts per episode – where White and a panel of matchmakers score each performance in real time. After the fights are all finished, White announces which fighters (if any) have earned an official contract to join the UFC roster. In 2025, a record-tying 46 athletes were awarded UFC contracts during Season 9 of DWCS. Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there`s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass! Upgrade licence This video is not available in your country There was a problem while loading content. Please try again. Matchups for Episode 1 have already been announced. Look at the fight card and meet the fighters below: DWCS S10 E1 Fight Card - Jon Kunneman vs Joseph Kropschot - Bilal Hasan vs Mridul Saikia - Matt Adams vs Anthony Wint - Abe Alsaghir vs Fabrizio Escarrega - Ananias Mulumba vs Tom Pagliarulo Meet the Fighters Jon Kunneman A 26-year-old fighting out of Denver, Colorado, Kunneman is 10-0 as a pro MMA athlete with six submissions and four knockouts. A fighter in more ways than one, Kunneman has battled Type 1 Diabetes since he was 11 years old and is hoping to inspire diabetic kids with his hard work. He went from being a kid with a tube in his stomach to becoming a supreme athlete with a chance at a UFC contract. A “guinea pig” of sorts, there is no real dietary blueprint for fighters with diabetes which has forced Kunneman try different ways of cutting without his blood sugar causing problems. This constant feeling of being uncomfortable and unsettled has driven him to where he is today – he wants the hardest task imaginable. While the prospective UFC contract would change his life, he cares more about testing himself with the effort he’s willing to give. His goal is to make Dana White remember the kid that came through the door and threw himself into the fire to win a contract. He’ll match up against Joe Kropschot – an opponent that Kunneman believes he can defeat. Kunneman feels he hits harder, is more explosive, is more defensively sound, and is stronger and sharper mentally, as well as more experienced. More Dana White's Contender Series Coverage He was supposed to fight in 2025 for the DWCS, but he injured his rib during a wrestling scramble leading up the event, which set him out for two months. By the time he was ready, he couldn’t get an opponent to fight him. This year, he got another offer and has surrounded himself with people ready to guide him and implement a smart training plan to avoid injuries. Joe Kropschot Kropschot is a 31-year-old middleweight fighter based in San Ramon, California, training out of Skrappack and Team Santos. With an 8-3 professional record and a 100% finish rate, Kropschot has developed a "Viking berserker" fighting style that balances calculated aggression with brutal efficiency. His path to the cage was unconventional; after a troubled youth that included time in the Utah wilderness and juvenile detention, he’s channeled his past anger into a disciplined fighting career, drawing inspiration from the smooth, technical style of Anderson Silva. Kropschot’s career is defined by resilience and growth. After starting his pro career 4-0, he hit a difficult stretch with three consecutive losses, which forced him to re-evaluate his training and commitment. Through intense strength and conditioning and a renewed focus on grappling, he turned his career around, eventually winning the LFA middleweight title in a gritty victory that he still has battle scars from. This experience solidified his belief that his mental toughness - which he considers 75% of the fight game - is his greatest asset, allowing him to persevere when others might break. Supported by his fiancé Victoria – who he’s been with since he was 16 - and his coach, Gilbert Melendez, Kropschot is now laser-focused on securing a UFC contract. He views his upcoming bout against Kunneman as the defining moment of his life and believes he is ready to make an immediate impact in the middleweight division. Confident in his well-rounded skill set and ability to finish fights at any moment, Kropschot wants to prove to Dana White and the panel that he is a high-level contender ready to bring excitement and intensity to the octagon. Bilal Hasan Bilal Hasan, a 24-year-old flyweight fighting out of Everett, Washington, is an undefeated prospect (8-0-1) known for his creative and theatrical fighting style. A first-generation Indonesian-American, Hasan embraces the nickname "Indo-Ninja" and views MMA as the ultimate performance art. Follow Dana White's Contender Series On Instagram! Influenced by icons like Michael Jackson and Conor McGregor, he thrives under the bright lights, aiming to deliver highlight-reel finishes that captivate audiences. His background is deeply rooted in martial arts, having started Taekwondo at age four before transitioning into a well-rounded skill set that includes wrestling, kickboxing, and boxing. Hasan’s rise includes a successful tenure as the CFFC flyweight champion, where he defended his belt three times. His development has been significantly shaped by training with MMA legends Demetrious Johnson and Matt Hume, who have served as both mentors and brothers to him. Under their guidance, Hasan has learned to balance technical precision with the freedom to "just fight." He views his career as a culmination of his parents' sacrifices and his own lifelong dedication, treating every bout as a high-stakes performance where he can showcase his unique arsenal. Driven by a desire to represent his Indonesian heritage on the global stage, Hasan is laser-focused on securing a UFC contract. He approaches his upcoming fight against Mridul Saikai with supreme confidence, viewing it as the perfect opportunity to showcase his versatility in wrestling, grappling, and striking. Hasan believes he is a unique problem for the flyweight division, and he is determined to leave Dana White and the fans in awe. For Hasan, this fight is not just about winning, but rather about cementing his status as a creative force and bringing a new level of excitement to the UFC. Anthony Wint Anthony Wint is a 30-year-old heavyweight prospect training out of KillCliff FC in Deerfield, Florida. A former standout college football player at FIU and NFL practice squad member, Wint transitioned to MMA with a unique, mission-driven perspective after 32 teams told him he’s not good enough. Boasting an undefeated 6-0 record with five finishes—four of which came in the first round—he has quickly established himself as the Fury FC heavyweight champion. His athletic background, combined with his wrestling roots, has provided him with the speed, discipline, and physical tools necessary to dominate opponents in the cage. UPCOMING EVENT TICKETS: UFC 330 | UFC Sacramento | UFC Shanghai | UFC Paris | Noche UFC Wint describes his fighting style as that of a "wrecking ball," characterized by aggression and the ability to impose his will on his opposition. Unlike many fighters who claim to love the sport, Wint views his career as a divine calling to honor God and maximize his potential. He approaches each bout with a serious mindset, treating the cage as a place to execute a game plan rather than a venue for personal enjoyment. This focus allows him to remain calm under pressure and turn into an aggressive competitor the moment the cage door closes. Wint is determined to defeat his opponent Matt Adams to potentially secure a UFC contract and prove he belongs among the world's elite. He believes his speed, wrestling, and striking power give him a distinct advantage over Adams and the rest of the heavyweight division. For Wint, earning a spot in the UFC is not the finish line but the beginning of his journey to becoming a ranked contender. Matt Adams A 28-year-old fighter from New Lexington, Ohio, Matt Adams is driven by a desire to inspire his small-town community and provide a better life for his three children. Growing up in a challenging environment marked by instability and family addiction, Adams found an escape in sports, excelling in wrestling and football. Despite passing up a wrestling offer at Ohio State to care for his ailing mother, he eventually found his way to MMA. After stepping away from the sport following his mother's passing, he rediscovered his passion and is now focused on proving that perseverance can overcome any obstacle. Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there`s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass! Upgrade licence This video is not available in your country There was a problem while loading content. Please try again. With a 6-2 professional record featuring five first-round knockouts, Adams is a freestyle fighter who combines a strong wrestling base with significant punching power. He has spent the last nine years honing his craft, including a successful stint in boxing. Adams views MMA as the ultimate test of individual accountability, appreciating the sport's one-on-one nature. He believes he is currently in the best shape of his life and is ready to showcase his explosive power and well-rounded skill set on the biggest stage. Heading into his bout against Wint, Adams is focused on delivering an entertaining performance rather than just securing a win. He respects Wint’s abilities but is confident that his own cardio and power will prevail in what he expects to be a high-intensity "banger." Adams prides himself on being authentic and believes his unique personality and fighting style make him a perfect fit for the UFC roster. For Adams, earning a UFC contract is about more than just a career milestone - it’s also a testament to his hard work and a message to his children and fans that dreams are worth chasing regardless of the obstacles faced. Abe Alsaghir Abe Alsagir is a 25-year-old undefeated prospect (8-0) fighting out of the Porrada Training Center in Las Vegas. His journey is defined by extreme resilience. Born in Lebanon and raised by a single mother, he began working at age eight to support his family before immigrating to the U.S. at 15. A military veteran who served as a paratrooper, Alsagir views MMA as the ultimate vehicle to change his family's life and honor the sacrifices his mother made. He is driven by a "first one" mentality, striving to be the first professional athlete in his family and to pave the way for his loved ones. With a professional record that includes seven finishes, Alsagir has proven himself to be a dangerous and well-rounded competitor. He does not force finishes, but instead, he remains calm and collected, allowing opportunities to present themselves naturally. His recent move to Las Vegas has significantly elevated his game, as he now trains alongside elite athletes like Manel Kape and Aaron Pico. Heading into his bout against Fabrizio Escarrega, Alsagir is focused on securing a UFC contract. He views this fight as the culmination of his relentless work ethic and the sacrifices he has made since his youth. Alsagir believes he is a complete fighter who brings excitement and constant pressure to every matchup. He is determined to prove to Dana White that he belongs on the biggest stage, viewing this opportunity not just as a career milestone, but as the realization of his American dream and a chance to secure his family's future. Fabrizio Escarrega Fabrizio "El Cachorro" Escarrega is a 28-year-old fighter from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Coming from a family of fighters, he earned his nickname - which means “the puppy” - as the youngest of his siblings. His passion for MMA was forged in this environment, where he grew up following in the footsteps of his older brothers. Today, he trains at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City, honing his skills alongside top-tier talent to represent Mexico on the global stage. Watch This Season Of Dana White's Contender Series Only On Paramount+ With a professional record of 9-1, Escarrega has developed into a well-rounded freestyle fighter with a particular love for boxing combinations. While he started in MMA, his transition into dedicated boxing training at JB Boxing has been pivotal to his growth as an athlete. He views his lone career loss - which came from a dislocated arm - not as a failure, but as a crucial learning experience that helped him evolve. When the cage door closes, he trusts his instincts to secure a finish, whether by knockout or submission, prioritizing results over specific methods. Escarrega approaches his upcoming DWCS opportunity with a "one bullet" mentality. He’s fully aware of the stakes and is determined to make the most of his shot. He dedicates his career to his late brother, whose memory serves as his primary emotional fuel. Unlike fighters who seek controversy or noise, Escarrega’s goal is simple: to test himself against the best in the world and be recognized as both a high-level athlete and a person of character. Tom Pagliarulo Tom Pagliarulo is a 29-year-old featherweight prospect fighting out of Tiger Beetle MMA in Colorado. A Boston native with a deep wrestling background, Pagliarulo has compiled an impressive 10-2 professional record, highlighted by nine finishes and a current four-fight win streak consisting entirely of first-round knockouts. Known for his exciting, "let it fly" approach, he prides himself on being a well-rounded mixed martial artist who is long, fast, and equally dangerous on the feet or on the ground. Pagliarulo’s journey to the brink of the UFC has been defined by his commitment and a strong support system. After moving across the country to train alongside elite athletes like Cory Sandhagen and Justin Gaethje, he has elevated his game to a world-class level. He credits his wife, Savannah, and his family for their unwavering support, which has allowed him to focus on his craft. Pagliarulo believes fighting is the ultimate test of competition, and he thrives in high-stakes environments where he can prove exactly how good he can be. Heading into his bout against Ananias Mulumba, Pagliarulo is focused on securing the UFC contract he has chased since high school. He respects his opponent but remains confident that his preparation and competitive drive will carry him to victory. Whether the fight turns into a war or ends in another quick knockout, Pagliarulo is determined to show Dana White that he is a special talent. He views this moment as the culmination of his hard work and is ready to prove that he belongs among the best fighters in the world. Episode 1 airs live at 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT on Tuesday, August 11 on Paramount+. Catch the action and watch these budding stars realize their dreams.