White overrules UFC matchmakers to sign Moreno as DWCS Season 10 hands out four contracts

Dana White overruled his own matchmaking team to hand welterweight Isaac Moreno a UFC contract at Dana White’s Contender Series Week 5, held on September 8 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The night produced four contracts from five bouts — the first time in DWCS Season 10 that a full sweep was not achieved.

The evening opened with flyweight Christian Natividad (10-0) stopping Colton Loud (7-0) with a body shot in just 70 seconds, a finish made more impressive by the fact that Natividad accepted the fight on eight days’ notice. White was effusive in his praise. “10-0 now, coming in on a week’s notice against a much bigger guy, and you finished with an incredible body shot,” he said. “You couldn’t open the show better; you couldn’t perform better; welcome to the UFC.”

Middleweight Martin Kozak (7-0) also earned a deal after dismantling Christian Echols (8-5), dropping him with a head kick in the first round before finishing with punches in the second. White pointed to the 24-year-old Slovakian’s unbeaten record, perfect finish rate, and 6-0 amateur background as reasons for confidence. “I think that you have a very bright future in the UFC, my friend,” he said.

Moreno’s contract was the most contentious of the night. The welterweight went the distance to beat Reginaldo Geraldo Jr. (11-2) by unanimous decision, but White revealed the UFC matchmakers were unconvinced. “I had to fight a little bit with the matchmakers; they’re not believers; I am,” White said, noting that Geraldo brought four knockouts and five submissions into the fight. “You were in danger everywhere in the fight… Isaac, congratulations on getting into the UFC.”

The only fighter denied a contract was featherweight Apollo Gomes (13-2), who survived an early storm from Won Il Kwon (14-7) to win by unanimous decision. White was not sufficiently impressed to make an offer.

Headlining the card, light heavyweight Quentin Pasley (4-0) finished the previously undefeated Arlind Berisha (5-1) with vicious elbows from top position late in the first round. White admitted he had questioned why a fighter with a 3-0 record at the time was given the main event slot, only to be told by his matchmakers to wait and see. The 24-year-old’s performance drew Jon Jones comparisons from those in attendance. “After the fight, including myself, lots of Jon Jones talk,” White said. “You are a very exciting kid; we’re all looking forward to seeing you fight.”