Four fighters earn UFC contracts as Hasan destroys DWCS 2026's biggest-ever favourite in 45 seconds

Four fighters walked away with UFC contracts after Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026, with flyweight Bilal Hasan delivering the night’s most emphatic statement by finishing Mridul Saikia in just 45 seconds — the fastest resolution of the evening and the most lopsided betting line in the show’s ten-year history.

Hasan (9-0), a former Cage Fury Fighting Championships flyweight champion, entered as a -5000 favourite against Saikia (9-2), a number Dana White described as unprecedented for the series. The finish was every bit as one-sided as the odds suggested, and White made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm. “This is an absolute no-brainer. Even with the ton of hype, absolutely lived up to it,” the UFC CEO said. “When you’re the biggest favorite in the history of the Contender Series, 10 years — that’s how you treat somebody. I’m really pumped for your first fight in the UFC.”

The night opened with a middleweight contest between Joseph Kropschot (9-3) and Jonathan Kunneman (10-1) that ended in extraordinary fashion. Kropschot locked in an armbar in the final seconds and dislocated Kunneman’s elbow, yet Kunneman refused to tap and the fight went to a unanimous decision. The aggression was enough to sway White. “When he got that armbar, I said, ‘I’m gonna give him a shot,’” White explained. “31 years old, he went for the finish. I’m always looking for guys to finish. Joseph, you went for it and you swayed me and changed my mind. Congratulations.”

Featherweight Tom Pagliarulo (11-2) made his case with a brutal ground-and-pound finish of Ananias Mulumba (10-4) in the closing seconds of their bout, earning the second contract of the evening without much deliberation.

Heavyweight Anthony Wint (7-0) closed the show in style, needing barely 30 seconds to reverse a takedown and unload ground-and-pound on Matthew Adams (6-3) for the stoppage. White was characteristically blunt in his praise. “Anthony, you’re a fcking tank, my friend… Holy sht! I didn’t get to see much, but what I got to see was pretty nasty. Welcome to the UFC.”

The one fighter to leave without a deal despite winning was unbeaten lightweight Abe Alsaghir (9-0), who took a split decision over Fabrizio Escarrega (9-2) in a closely contested fight. White not only declined to offer a contract but also disputed the result itself. “I actually thought this was a dog fight between two tough guys with great records,” he said. “The third round was where I was looking to see who was going to be my guy, and it never happened. And I don’t agree with the judges — I think they absolutely blew that decision.”

Week 2 of DWCS 2026 is scheduled to follow next week.