Six
Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts were handed out on
Week 7 of
Dana White’s Contender Series 2026 despite few finishes.
Dana White awards UFC contracts to Damian Piwowarczyk, Piero
Guaylupo, Callum Connor, Marcos Degli, Alvi Dasuyev and Jaden
Ortega
Damian
Piwowarczyk (12-4) and Emilio
Quissua (8-1) started the action with a light heavyweight
clash. While Quissua came out strong, Piwowarczyk handed him his
first pro loss late in the first round with a vicious flurry. UFC
CEO Dana
White awarded Piwowarczyk a UFC contract for the finish.
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“Damian, great first round,” White said. “Emilio is a tough guy. He
was putting it on you in that first round. And what did you do?
Knock him out with less than 10 seconds left in the first round.
Congratulations, you’re in the UFC.”
Piero
Guaylupo (13-0) and Callum
Connor (8-1) put on a barnburner in their lightweight tilt. The
bout would have broke the UFC lightweight record for the most
significant strikes landed in a three-round fight had it not been
under the DWCS banner. While Guaylupo defeated Connor via unanimous
decision, White awarded both fighters UFC contracts while hailing
the bout as a Fight of the Year contender.
“Both of these guys are in the hospital right now, Callum and
Piero, as they should be,” White said. “One of the greatest fights
you’ll ever see on Tuesdays or Saturdays or any other day. This
fight could be up for Fight of the Year contender. For Piero to be
21 years old and fight the way he did, the fight was incredible.
But takes two guys to make a great fight; I’m taking them both…
Hopefully they’re watching it on their phones.”
Carlos
Prates’ highly touted teammate, Marcos
Degli (15-3), lived up to his hype in a flyweight clash against
Joshua
Van’s teammate, Paris Moran
(14-4). Degli, whom Prates used to consider the best flyweight
outside the UFC, finished Moran with a standing one-arm rear-naked
choke.
“Marcos, what a nasty, incredible sub you pulled off tonight,”
White said while awarding Degli a contract. “13-fight win streak,
how can I say no to you? I can’t. Get over here.”
Alvi
Dasuyev (10-0) and Jaden
Ortega (6-1) also delivered an instant classic in their
welterweight matchup. While Ortega was dropped by Dasuyev in the
first round, he showed immense heart in going the distance despite
losing via unanimous decision. White awarded both fighters UFC
contracts, emphasizing that it takes two to tango.
“Alvi and Jaden, incredible fight,” White said. “[Alvi], it is only
the second time that you’ve ever gone three rounds in 10 fights.
Young guy, 24-years-old, I look very forward to seeing you grow in
the UFC and see what you’re able to do. But like I just said a
minute ago, Jaden showed up here to fight. Takes two guys to make a
great fight; I want [Jaden] too.”
White also revealed that promotional matchmaker Mick Maynard
insisted on signing Ortega.
Norbert
Novenyi Jr. (11-1) and Theo Haig
(7-2) failed to deliver in the main event of the card. Both
fighters were visibly exhausted by the second round, leading to
clinch positions marked with inactivity. Novenyi Jr. earned a
unanimous decision win, handing Haig his second DWCS loss after a
failed bid last year. However, White did not see enough from
Novenyi Jr. to want him in the UFC.
“Norbert, both of you guys have great records; you came in, fought
a good fight,” White said. “Unfortunately, my friend, I didn’t see
anything tonight that makes me say, ‘I got to have this guy in the
UFC.’ Whatever you decide to do here, we would like to take another
look at you. But tonight’s not your night, my friend.”