Dana White’s Contender Series delivered another historic moment Tuesday night at the Meta APEX. A shortened four-fight card produced four finishes and four new UFC fighters.The DWCS Season 10 Week 8 results were highlighted by George Staines’ brutal first-round finish of Loai Abushaar. Staines recorded the first slam knockout in Contender Series history before earning a UFC contract.
George Staines Scores Historic Slam Knockout
George Staines 9-0-0 entered the main event with his undefeated record on the line. The Liverpool prospect needed only 61 seconds to make Contender Series history.
Staines secured Abushaar around the body before lifting him high from the canvas. He then drove him down with a powerful slam that immediately ended the fight. Referee Herb Dean stopped the contest at 1:01 of Round 1.
Staines Becomes First Fighter to Score DWCS Slam KO
The finish marked the first knockout by slam in Dana White’s Contender Series history. It also gave Staines the biggest victory of his young career.
Staines trains at Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, the same gym as Paddy Pimblett. His unbeaten run now continues into the UFC after Dana White awarded him a contract.
Adama Diop Stops Zaurbek Sabanov in Round 2
Adama Diop 7-1-0 faced undefeated heavyweight Zaurbek Sabanov in the co-main event. Both men exchanged heavy shots before Diop began taking control.
Diop eventually trapped Sabanov against the fence and unloaded with unanswered punches. The referee stopped the contest at 2:13 of Round 2, ending Sabanov’s undefeated run.
Dana White Was Not Completely Sold on Diop
The knockout secured Diop’s sixth consecutive victory, but Dana White was not entirely impressed. White criticized parts of the heavyweight’s performance during the contract announcements.
Diop still received his UFC opportunity after finding the finish. His power ultimately proved enough to turn a difficult fight into another stoppage victory.
Ian Escuza Wins in Just 32 Seconds
Ian Escuza 8-0-0 maintained his perfect professional record with another rapid finish. The Peruvian prospect overwhelmed Luca Borando immediately after the opening bell.
Escuza attacked aggressively and forced the stoppage after only 32 seconds. Every victory of his professional career has now come by first-round finish.
Escuza’s Finish Creates Illegal Knee Controversy
The ending became controversial because Escuza landed a knee while Borando was grounded. Officials reviewed the sequence following the stoppage.
Herb Dean ultimately ruled that the illegal strike was incidental to the finish. The official result therefore remained a TKO victory for Escuza.
Dana White later revealed that he disagreed with the decision. However, UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby argued in Escuza’s favor, and the undefeated prospect received a contract.
Aieza Bertolso Dominates Camila Reynoso
Aieza Bertolso 8-0-0 opened the event with another statement performance. The LFA strawweight champion quickly took Camila Reynoso to the ground.
Bertolso established control before attacking with an inverted D’Arce choke. Reynoso eventually tapped at 3:02 of the opening round, keeping Bertolso’s professional record perfect.
Bertolso Finally Earns Her UFC Opportunity
Bertolso entered the event as one of the more established prospects on the card. Her LFA championship experience had already placed her firmly on the UFC radar.
She removed any remaining doubt with a dominant submission. Her performance earned her a contract and added another unbeaten prospect to the UFC women’s strawweight division.
All Four Winners Receive UFC Contracts
Dana White ultimately awarded contracts to every winner on the shortened card. Staines, Diop, Escuza and Bertolso will all move into the UFC.
The latest additions continue a busy Season 10 for the Dana White Contender Series. The show remains one of the UFC’s primary routes for signing emerging talent.
Bulaid vs Visconde Cancelled Before the Event
Week 8 was originally scheduled to feature five fights. However, the featherweight matchup between Ilias Bulaid and Erick Visconde was removed shortly before the event.
Bulaid became ill after successfully making weight. The promotion rescheduled their matchup for Week 10, leaving Week 8 with only four contests.
DWCS Season 10 Week 8 Full Results
George Staines defeated Loai Abushaar via TKO (slam) at 1:01 of Round 1.
Adama Diop defeated Zaurbek Sabanov via TKO (punches) at 2:13 of Round 2.
Ian Escuza defeated Luca Borando via TKO (knees) at 0:32 of Round 1.
Aieza Bertolso defeated Camila Reynoso via submission (inverted D’Arce choke) at 3:02 of Round 1.
Season 10 Continues Producing Historic Moments
Week 8 followed another unusual night on the Contender Series. Week 7 saw six fighters earn contracts, including two who lost their fights.
The show has produced several memorable performances throughout its latest season. DWCS Season 10 Week 6 also featured prospects fighting for their opportunity to join the UFC.
Week 8 added a different piece of history. Staines’ slam became a first for the series, while every completed fight ended inside the distance.
Final Thoughts
The DWCS Season 10 Week 8 results delivered maximum action despite losing one scheduled fight. Four contests produced four finishes and four UFC contracts.
George Staines provided the defining moment with the first slam knockout in Contender Series history. Bertolso, Escuza and Diop also secured finishes before joining Staines on the UFC roster.
FAQs
Who won contracts on DWCS Season 10 Week 8?
George Staines, Adama Diop, Ian Escuza and Aieza Bertolso all received UFC contracts.
Who scored the historic slam knockout on DWCS?
George Staines stopped Loai Abushaar with a slam at 1:01 of the first round.
Why was DWCS Week 8 reduced to four fights?
Ilias Bulaid became ill before his scheduled fight against Erick Visconde. Their matchup was moved to Week 10.
What happened in the Ian Escuza fight?
Escuza stopped Luca Borando after 32 seconds. The finish underwent review because of an illegal knee, but the TKO result remained.
Did every DWCS Week 8 winner get a UFC contract?
Yes. Dana White awarded UFC contracts to all four fighters who won their bouts.
