Contender Series Season 10 opens with rapid finishes and contract scrutiny
The first week of the ten-week MMA talent showcase delivered immediate results, with UFC President Dana White holding sole discretion over which fighters earn roster spots.
The UFC Contender Series Season 10 commenced on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, marking the start of a nine-week audition process for mixed martial arts talent. The event, streamed on Paramount+, featured ten fighters competing across five bouts, with UFC President Dana White holding sole discretion to award contracts based on their performance in the Octagon.
In the main event, former NFL player Anthony Wint secured a swift victory against Matt Adams. Wint, an undefeated heavyweight with a 6-0 record, defeated the LFA alumnus via TKO using punches in just 34 seconds of the first round. The weigh-in for the two fighters had taken place the previous day, 10 August 2026, at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino.
The co-main event saw undefeated prospect Abe Alsaghir defeat Mexico’s Fabrizio Escarrega via split decision. The judges’ scores read 30-27, 28-29, and 29-28, leaving the outcome of the contract decision to White’s assessment. Alsaghir, holding an 8-0 record, faced Escarrega, who entered the bout with a 9-1 record.
One of the most anticipated bouts featured Bilal Hasan, described as one of the best prospects in the sport. Hasan, also undefeated at 8-0, defeated India’s Mridul Saikia, who had a 9-1 record, via TKO with punches in just 45 seconds of the first round. The quick finish highlighted the high stakes and competitive nature of the opening week.
Other notable results included Tom Pagliarulo defeating Ananias Mulumba via TKO with punches in the third round at 4:24. Pagliarulo earned the first finish of Season 10, avenging a previous loss to Mulumba, who had been knocked out by Pagliarulo in the previous year’s event. Mulumba, with a 10-3 record, returned to the series after his prior defeat.
The card concluded with Joe Kropschot defeating Jon Kunneman via unanimous decision. Kropschot, a middleweight finisher with a 7-0 record, won the bout with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 against Kunneman, who entered with a 10-0 record. The results set the stage for the remaining weeks of the Contender Series, with all eyes on which fighters will secure UFC contracts.
