Dana White’s Contender Series 2025: Week 10 – Play-by-Play and Results

Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) is back for another week of action. Week 10 features a rare six-pack of fights to wrap up the end of the season. All the action is available on ESPN+but keep your eyes peeled here for all the Contender Series results as they happen.

Mario Mingaj vs. Wes Schultz

Round 1 – Mingaj brings the pressure early but is quickly tagged by a left hook from Schultz that leaves him wobbling. Schultz pours it on and looks for the finish. Mingaj pulls him into a clinch and Schultz gets a body lock takedown. Mingaj uses a near sweep to get back to his feet, but Schultz jumps back. Once there, he reaches to the right at the ankle and looks for Suloev extension. Mingaj grimaces and it’s over!

Official result: Wes Schultz final. Mario Mingaj per Submission (Suloev Stretch) – Round 1 (1:51)

Azamat Nuftillaev vs. Jovann Leca

Round 1 – They spend no time trying each other out. Nuftillaev immediately unleashes wild shots and uses them to close the distance. He moves in for a takedown. After a solid defense from Leka, Nuftillaev adapts and works at the top. He lands the necessary shots not to get up, although he is warned several times. As the clock moves less than two minutes, Leka gets back to his knees and works his way back to his feet. Nuftillaev hits a mat return with closed hands, but again doesn’t get much out of it. Referee Mark Smith warns Nuftillaev again to get the action going. He scores another takedown with ten seconds left and Leka returns to the feet to end the round. Nuftilev 10-9

Round 2 – Nuftillaev looks gassed to start the second. He gets caught by Leka and then shoots a takedown, but it doesn’t have the same enthusiasm. Leka lays down on it and takes Nuftillaev’s back. He gets a hook-in and looks for a short choke, but doesn’t quite have the angle. Leka lets Nuftillaev carry his weight and he is clearly exhausted. Then Leka scores with some punches and a pair of 12-6 elbows. Leka keeps switching between choke attempts and more big shots. The pressure of another choke sends Nuftillaev to all four and allows Leka to get the back with both hooks. He gets the rear almost naked and then goes to mount. It’s all Leka and Nuftillaev can’t even get up. Try 10-8

Round 3 – Nuftillaev immediately backs up at the start of the round. He’s breathing heavily as Leka looks to land big. Leka throws a kick that Nuftillaev catches and turns into a takedown. He has no energy to do anything and Leka immediately goes back upstairs. He counters with some uppercuts and it forces Nuftillaev to dive for a desperation attack. Leka lays down on it and places Nuftillaev in a crucifix. Leka almost gets a stoppage and Nuftillaev moves just enough to get a hand free. He then lands a few more elbows and Nuftillaev rolls to his knees. Leka jumps to the back and lands a big elbow. Nuftillaev gets back up and is dumped on his back near the horn. Try 10-9

Official result: Jovan Leka def. Azamat Nuftillaev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

Michael Oliveira vs. Victor Valenzuela

Round 1 – Oliveira moves forward and pumps his jab. He also throws a few leg kicks and has Valenzuela on his back foot. The Chilean fighter looks to fight his way out, but Oliveira stays safe early. Valenzuela eventually finds a home for the right straight and that stumbles Oliveira a bit. He comes back and is right back on the pressure. He slips and lands some nice counters, setting up a takedown attempt from Valenzuela. Valenzuela crashes with another big right and they qualify. Oliveira lands nicely in that position, but they break and the rounds come to an end. It’s a close round, but the volume and impact favor the challenger. Valencia 10-9

Round 2 – Oliveira’s pressure is again the story early. Both have a little more urgency and are more open. Oliveira is landing more often now and he has Valenzuela bleeding. The Brazilian is building momentum. He ducks out of reach and drops his opponent. After some ground and stomping he lets him back up and immediately drops him again. He motions for him to get back on his feet. He takes him apart with shots all over the place. Valenzuela fades away. He surges forward and Oliveira lands another big counter and drops him for the third time. This time the ground and pound are enough for a finish.

Official result: Michael Oliveira def. Victor Valenzuela by TKO (punches) – Round 2 (3:56)

Marwan Rahiki vs. Ananias Mulumba

Round 1 – Mulumba comes out and hits big shots. He comes up short with the shots and Rahiki counters. One of those big rights scores for Mulumba and he drops it. In the follow-up recordings he looks for the finish line. Mark Smith calls for movement and warns of a break. Rahiki continues to work enough to get to his knees. Mulumba grabs the back and has a near rear naked choke. Then Rahiki finds a home for a few shots to the feet. Mulumba is now wobbling! He looks for the finish, but then Mulumba finds the button again! Rahiki back on the ground and Mulumba looks to end it. Rahiki rolls to his feet and becomes a bit more secure defensively. They end up on their feet in a crazy round. Mulumba 10-9

Round 2 – Both men look for bombs early. Mulumba hits a double take to try and neutralize some things, but Rahiki gets a ninja choke. They’re working on the mat and it looks like it’s in there. Mulumba works him against the cage and loosens his hands. They get back to their feet and it’s clear that Mulumba is done. Rahiki props him up against the cage and starts uploading elbows. They all land and it’s all over.

Official result: Marwan Rahiki def. Ananias Mulumba by KO (elbows and punches) – Round 2 (2:13)

John Dñoz vs. Won Kwon Ill Kwon

Round 1 – Diaz is clearly looking for the body shots out of the gate. He lands a kick to the gut and a hook for good measure. A big overhand right lands Diaz and it spins Kwon around. He lands with a few more as Kwon comes to his senses. Diaz follows up with another big right, but starts to fall in love with headhunting. As a result, Kwon gets into his rhythm with a few jabs. A few more rights landed Diaz and a left. He then closes the distance and takes a hit against the cage. He jumps back and grabs both hooks. Diaz switches to a body triangle, but gets a little overzealous on an armbar attempt. They return to the feet where the round ends. Diaz 10-9

Round 2 – Kwon on his bike to start this one with more urgency. Diaz goes right back to the body lock. They dance along the cage. After a brief separation, Diaz shoots in for a real double leg and takes Kwon down. Back up and both men start talking hands again. Kwon is landing at a better clip, but Diaz is the much more active fighter. It’s a close round and as time goes by, Diaz throws a spinning elbow and immediately turns off the lights.

Official result: Juan Díaz final. Won Il Kwon by KO (Spinning Back Elbow) – Round 2 (4:58)

Freddy Vidal vs. Levi Rodrigues

Round 1 – A battle for kicks is the story of the early fight, with Rodrigues clearly landing with more authority. Vidal looks for a takedown, but the shot can be seen a mile away. Rodrigues stops it, but they remain in the clinch for a while as they both try to improve their position. As they part ways, Rodrigues gets some big rights that seem to stun Vidal. Vidal keeps trying to get in for a takedown, but eats a knee and it’s over.

Official result: Levi Rodrigues def. Freddy Vidal by TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1 (3:20)

DWCS contract winners:

• Wes Schultz
• Michael Oliveira
• Marwan Rahiki
• Juan Diaz
• Levi Rodrigues

And for more coverage of Dana White’s Contender Series, check out all of her work here on Cageside Press. We have interviews with the fighters and an analysis of those who will get a chance on Tuesday.