MMA
Dana White awards six UFC contracts after historic DWCS Week 2
Published
1 month agoon
Week 2 of the 10th Season of
Dana White's Contender Series exceeded expectations.
Historic night in DWCS history as UFC signs six new fighters,
including one in defeat
Roman
Puga (6-1) and Taner
Trembley (7-1) kicked off the card in a featherweight clash. It
was one of the most memorable fights in DWCS history, with both
fighters repeatedly rocking each other. While Puga walked away with
a unanimous decision victory, Trembley's toughness was on full
display.
Dana White was walking out to award Puga an
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract when Sean Shelby
insisted that Trembley be given one as well.
“It takes two to make a great fight,†White said while awarding
both Puga and Trembley UFC contracts. “And this fight was
absolutely incredible. And because it was such a great fight, I got
to see so much well-roundedness and toughness from both guys. As
soon as this fight was over, I said, ‘Send both these guys to the
hospital right now.' So Puga — it's a no-brainer; I'm absolutely
bringing him in. And as I'm walking out here, Sean Shelby just
grabbed me and said, ‘I want Taner too.' So, both of these guys get
a contract with the UFC.â€
Alik
Lorenz (8-2) made his second Contender Series appearance in a
light heavyweight tilt against Mahamed Aly
(5-2). Lorenz floored Aly with an overhand right before finishing
him with hammer-fists. While White thought it was an early
stoppage, he was impressed enough with the +320 underdog Lorenz's
massive upset win.
“I did not agree with the stoppage; I thought the stoppage was a
bit early,†White said. “But Lorenz was teeing off on him with big
shots. And by the time the fight started, he was a 4-1 dog. So,
when you come in as a 4-1 dog and you do what you did tonight,
Lorenz, get over here, congratulations.â€
Cristian
Perez (15-2) took on Logan
Paxton (10-2) in a lightweight matchup. Perez looked flawless
as he picked apart Paxton en route to a second-round stoppage win.
White not only gave Perez a contract but also an offer to compete
at
Noche UFC 4 in September.
“Cristian Perez, incredible fight,†White said. “Again, two very
tough, durable guys and Christian Perez could not have looked any
better than he did tonight. And I hope he wants to fight at UFC
Noche.â€
Trent
Miller (10-3) also made his sophomore Contender Series
appearance in a middleweight matchup against Douglas
Henrique Rodrigues (7-2). A +270 underdog, Miller put Rodrigues
to sleep with a Von Flue choke in the second round to earn a UFC
contract.
“Trent Miller, unfortunately, I'm a very brutally honest guy,â€
White said. “Rodriguez was by far the better fighter in my opinion
and he was a 5-1 favorite. But you said, ‘F*ck that sh*t.' Not only
did you win the first round, but you came in and beat him in the
second round by Von Flue choke. Get over here, you're in the
UFC.â€
Another Contender Series veteran earned the final contract of the
night in the main event. Kaik Brito
(20-6) returned in a welterweight matchup against Namo Fazil
(10-2), three years after his first failed DWCS bid in 2023. While
Fazil was riding a lot of momentum after his recent win at
Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural MMA event, Brito put the
Iraqi to sleep with a right hand in the third round to earn a UFC
contract.
“And what could you not say about the main event? That was
incredible,†White said. “And the fact that Fazil has so many fans
in here going crazy. Brito, I love your style, the way you fight…
Came out with a flying knee in the third round, tried to finish the
fight, and finished it in spectacular fashion. I cannot wait to see
you fight in the UFC.â€
DWCS has proved to be one of the most reliable sources of scouting
future UFC stars. White revealed that fighters from DWCS have made
a combined $225.3 million in the UFC. There are also currently 420
active DWCS graduates on the UFC roster.
🚨 Dana White says fighters who earned UFC
contracts through the Contender Series have made a combined $225.3
MILLION pic.twitter.com/BT8HXjC0Lj— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
August 19, 2026
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MMA
MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight
Published
5 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
Most Valuable Promotions has responded to a lawsuit filed by
former world champion Heather
Hardy over her 2023 rematch with Amanda
Serrano.
Hardy is seeking $10 million in damages from MVP, alleging in her
complaint that the promotion moved forward with the bout despite
concerns about the risks involved. Hardy alleges that she suffered
permanent neurological damage from the fight, which took place in
August 2023 on the Jake
Paul-Nate Diaz
card.
Most Valuable Promotions cites Hardy’s medical clearance and
commission oversight in response to the lawsuit
According to Hardy's complaint, the fight presented an
“extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm.â€
She also alleges that the bout contributed to lasting issues,
including traumatic brain injury, memory loss and double
vision.
MVP disputed the allegations in a statement issued in response to
the lawsuit, emphasizing Hardy's medical clearance and the
commission's oversight of the contest.
“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the
difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and
hope that she receives the care and support she deserves,†MVP
responded (via ESPN). “Heather's participation on our Aug. 5,
2023, card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who
contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her
gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight.â€
“MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was
medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing
the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority
and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and
safety requirements,†the statement added. “MVP remains committed
to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our
events in full compliance with commission standards.â€
MMA
Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"
Published
6 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
Zuffa LLCKayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes is a highly-anticipated UFC title fight, and Dustin Poirier wonders if the bout will end in a submission for the champion.
Harrison and Nunes were set to collide in early 2026, but the women's bantamweight titleholder was forced to undergo neck surgery. The procedure was a success, and Harrison is now prepping to meet her former teammate in the UFC 334 co-main event on Nov. 14.
Poirier has worked with both Harrison and Nunes under the American Top Team banner. During a recent edition of “Deep Waters,†the retired UFC lightweight questioned if Harrison can find a way to submit Nunes inside Madison Square Garden in New York City (via MMAJunkie).
“It's going to come down to the takedowns,†Poirier said. “Can Kayla use her judo and her wrestling to get Amanda down? If she can, I think she's going to have a lot of success.
“You know, we've seen Amanda submitted before. Kayla's big, strong, good top position, knows how to grapple, but the length and power Amanda has, you can't prepare for in the female division. You can't get girls in the gym who can punch like that.â€
Harrison last competed back in June 2025, while Nunes hasn't fought since 2023 after initially retiring from pro MMA competition. Harrison is the betting favorite over a month ahead of UFC 334, but Nunes will look to prove she's still the gold standard of the women's 135-pound division.
Going into the event, Harrison is riding a four-fight winning streak and has just one blemish on her pro MMA record. Nunes retired having gone 14-1 in her last 15 outings, which includes wins in the now defunct women's featherweight division.
Do you think Kayla Harrison can pull off a submission over Amanda Nunes at UFC 334? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
UFC 334 loses top middleweight prospect, Cesar Almeida steps in
Published
7 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
UFC 334 has lost undefeated middleweight Baisangur Susurkaev, but a replacement has already been found.
MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Cesar Almeida (7-3) has agreed to step in for Susurkaev to face Donte Johnson (9-0) at the Nov. 14 event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Bout contracts are still to be officially signed.
Susurkaev and Johnson were originally set to meet in a battle of top prospects, with Susurkaev also sporting a perfect record at 12-0. The 25-year-old Susurkaev hit the ground running after earning a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2025, winning by knockout or submission in his first three outings for the promotion. The reason for Susurkaev's withdrawal from UFC 334 is not known.
Johnson was also signed off of DWCS in 2025 and has seen similar success, scoring consecutive UFC wins over Eric McConico, Cody Brundage, and Sedriques Dumas. He now faces Almeida, an experienced kickboxer who has seen mixed results in the UFC. Following a spectacular first-round knockout over Abdul Razak Alhassan in his UFC debut, Almeida has lost back-to-back fights, most recently losing by KO to Damian Pinas at UFC 329.
See the updated UFC 334 lineup below.
Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit
Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui
Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland
Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule
Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan
Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke
Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida
Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney
Bia Mesquita vs. Macy Chiasson
Adrian Yanez vs. Juan Diaz
MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight
Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"
UFC 334 loses top middleweight prospect, Cesar Almeida steps in
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