Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10 continued with another action-packed night in Las Vegas, and four fighters left the UFC APEX with contracts. Akbar Abdullaev delivered the most spectacular finish of the night, knocking out Ednilson Santos with one punch in just 19 seconds. Mayton Perea, Igor Cavalcanti and Luis Hernandez also secured contracts after impressive stoppage victories.The fifth winner, Tyshawn Williams, earned praise from Dana White but did not receive a contract. White instead promised Williams another opportunity on the Contender Series later this season.
Akbar Abdullaev Delivers a 19-Second Knockout
Akbar Abdullaev produced the performance that immediately grabbed the most attention on the card.The undefeated Kyrgyz prospect faced Ednilson Santos in a lightweight matchup and needed only 19 seconds to end the contest. Abdullaev landed a clean overhand right that sent Santos crashing to the canvas, forcing the referee to stop the fight without the need for follow-up strikes.The victory moved Abdullaev to 14-0 and maintained his perfect professional record. He has now finished every opponent in his career, with 13 knockouts and one submission according to the available fight data.
Abdullaev also arrived with experience outside the UFC. He previously competed in ONE Championship and built a reputation as one of the more dangerous lightweight prospects outside the promotion.Dana White was particularly impressed by what he saw. Following the knockout, White described Abdullaev as potentially the greatest talent to appear on the Contender Series.That level of praise immediately makes Abdullaev one of the names worth following when he begins his UFC career.
Mayton Perea Stops Zevan Hunt in the Main Event
Mayton Perea also punched his ticket to the UFC with a fast finish in the main event.Perea faced previously undefeated Zevan Hunt in a welterweight matchup between two prospects looking to make a strong impression. The Ecuadorian fighter overwhelmed Hunt with an aggressive offensive attack before securing the TKO stoppage 45 seconds into the opening round.
Perea entered the contest after three consecutive knockout victories, making his finishing ability one of the major storylines heading into the fight. He continued that trend against Hunt and gave White another clear reason to offer him a contract.Hunt suffered the first loss of his professional career. The defeat ended his unbeaten start, while Perea moved forward with one of the most important victories of his career.
Igor Cavalcanti Earns His UFC Contract
Igor Cavalcanti became the third fighter to secure a contract after stopping Oscar Ravello in the co-main event.The middleweight matchup ended at 1:38 of the first round. Cavalcanti used ground-and-pound to force the referee to intervene after taking control of the contest.
The finish gave Cavalcanti the kind of statement victory Dana White typically looks for on the Contender Series. Rather than leaving his UFC future to the judges, he finished the fight inside two minutes and secured his place on the UFC roster.His arrival also adds another developing name to a middleweight division already filled with established contenders and rising prospects. Fans following the weight class can check Sportsgotec’s UFC middleweight rankings for the current division picture.
Luis Hernandez Survives Trouble Before Getting the Finish
Luis Hernandez had to work considerably harder for his contract than the other stoppage winners.Hernandez faced Hugo Guillon in a middleweight bout and found himself in trouble early. Guillon managed to put Hernandez in a dangerous position, but Hernandez survived and eventually turned the fight around.
The undefeated fighter then secured a rear-naked choke in the second round, forcing Guillon to submit at 1:01. The comeback made the finish even more significant because Hernandez showed that he could respond after facing adversity.Hernandez entered the fight with a perfect 7-0 record and kept that unbeaten mark intact with the submission victory. The performance was enough for White to reward him with a UFC contract.
Tyshawn Williams Wins but Misses Out on a Contract
Tyshawn Williams was the only winner who did not receive a UFC contract on the night.Williams defeated Antonio Monteiro by unanimous decision after three competitive rounds. The judges scored the contest 29-28, 29-27 and 29-27 in his favor.
Despite the victory, White did not believe the performance was enough to warrant an immediate UFC deal. However, Williams was not left without a path forward.White told him that he would have another opportunity to compete on the Contender Series later this season. That gives Williams another chance to produce the type of finish or dominant performance that can secure a contract.
Four UFC Contracts Awarded in Week 6
The four contracts continue a strong Season 10 for the Contender Series.MMA Fighting reported that 28 fighters had now earned UFC contracts through the first six weeks of the season. Week 6 followed the same pattern seen throughout the year, with fighters who produced decisive stoppages receiving the biggest rewards.
The latest group also gives the UFC several different types of prospects. Abdullaev arrives with an unbeaten record and extensive finishing experience, while Perea brings aggressive striking at welterweight. Cavalcanti adds another middleweight prospect, and Hernandez brings an undefeated record with a submission-heavy skill set.The promotion will now have an opportunity to develop all four fighters as they begin their UFC careers.
DWCS Season 10 Week 6 Results
Mayton Perea def. Zevan Hunt — TKO, Round 1, 0:45
Igor Cavalcanti def. Oscar Ravello — TKO, Round 1, 1:38
Akbar Abdullaev def. Ednilson Santos — KO, Round 1, 0:19
Luis Hernandez def. Hugo Guillon — Submission, Round 2, 1:01
Tyshawn Williams def. Antonio Monteiro — Unanimous Decision
Final Thoughts
DWCS Season 10 Week 6 produced four new UFC contracts and another group of prospects for fans to watch. Akbar Abdullaev created the biggest moment with his 19-second knockout, while Mayton Perea and Igor Cavalcanti also delivered first-round finishes.Luis Hernandez showed resilience before securing his submission victory, while Tyshawn Williams left with another opportunity after White decided not to sign him immediately.With four more contracts awarded, the UFC roster continues to receive new talent from the Contender Series. Abdullaev, in particular, will enter the promotion with considerable attention following the performance and praise he received in Las Vegas.
