UFC employee Everett stuns Apex crowd to earn contract at DWCS Week 9

Salhahuddin Everett, who works as UFC CEO Dana White’s personal runner, capped a memorable night at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, Week 9 on 6 October by knocking out Ozzy Martin (4-1) in under two minutes at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas to earn a UFC contract — while still on the company payroll.

White had openly admitted before the bout that he was rooting for his employee, and the crowd inside the Apex responded in kind. “We got title fights in here; I don’t know if it has ever been as loud as tonight during your fight,” White said after awarding the unbeaten welterweight (5-0) his contract. White also suggested Everett may now need to leave his day job to focus on training full time.

Brazilian flyweight Roque Conceicao Moreira Junior (12-3) also impressed, submitting Alexander Chavez (9-1) with a triangle choke in the first round after being slammed to the canvas. White awarded him a contract, praising the sequence of striking, grappling and submission work on display. “The slam right into the triangle — what I loved about your fight was everything,” White said.

Earlier in the evening, Soares — whose first name was not included in the source material — earned a contract after a finishing performance that drew particular praise from White. “You’re an absolute killer at 22 years old,” White told him. “I’m excited to see your career in the UFC.”

The night’s only fighter to leave without a contract was bantamweight Alivia Bierley (6-1), who defeated Summer Onley (6-1) by unanimous decision in a bout White described as lacking urgency. “I had it 1-1 going into the third round, and I felt like neither girl tried to really get in there and impose their will,” White said. “That’s what made me make my decision.”

Four finishes across the card produced four contracts, continuing a strong run for the Contender Series as the 2026 season reaches its closing weeks.