DWCS Season 10 Features Best Crop of Fighters So Far

The 10th anniversary season of Dana White's Contender Series is only four weeks old, but already, this season has been one to remember. So far in season 10 of Contender Series, UFC CEO Dana White has awarded 20 contracts to fighters as a direct result of their appearance on the program, including at least five contracts in each of the last three shows.

Before the fighters could make their appearances during DWCS season 10, they first had to tip the scales. Through the first four weigh-in windows, all contestants have successfully made weight. If a fighter is going to impress the man who could eventually become their boss by the end of activities on a given Tuesday night, making their contracted weight on a Monday morning is of paramount concern.

With week five of DWCS season 10 set for this coming Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT on Paramount Plus inside the United States of America, now is the perfect time to take stock of the best fighters that have graced the Octagon through the first four weeks of this anniversary season. Let's get started,

DWCS Season 10's Best Fighters: Kaik Brito

We begin our look at some of the best fighters from DWCS season 10 with one of the competitors who made a return appearance on Contender Series earlier this year. It was in 2023 that Kaik Brito (20-6 MMA, 1-1 DWCS) made his first walk to the cage for the midweek MMA promotion, losing by way of majority decision to Oban Elliott (12-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC) after three rounds.

In July, Brito was booked for DWCS season 10 and subsequent to the booking, Brito would be paired with Namo Fazil (10-2 MMA, 0-1 DWCS.)  The former OKTAGON MMA Welterweight Champion finished Fazil with an overhand right just 12 seconds into the third and final round. As someone who's watched Contender Series for years, Kaik Brito was most-deserving of a UFC deal that night.

By the end of the program, he'd be joining the UFC.

DWCS Season 10's Best Fighters: Anthony Wint

Let's continue this look at DWCS season 10's best fighters with one of the more interesting stories of season 10 so far. In 2018, former Florida International University linebacker Anthony Wint (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) found himself in training camp with the NFL's New York Jets after that year's NFL draft passed without him being selected by any of the 32 teams. During week 16 of the 2018 NFL season, he recorded a tackle and forced a fumble for the Jets in their contest versus the Green Bay Packers.

Upon the close of the 2019 exhibition season in the NFL, he tested free agency and was eventually signed by the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but the 2020 CFL season was canceled after a lengthy delay due to the COVID-19 crisis in Canada. At that point, he hung up his football helmet and pads to try his luck at MMA.

During the season-opening event, he drew the assignment of Matt Adams (6-3 MMA, 0-1 DWCS) in the night's featured contest. Wint's intensity from his days as a linebacker served him very well, finishing Adams in 34 seconds.

Just a week and a half later, Wint made his UFC debut, winning that fight by way of technical submission vs. Terrance Chapman. From leaving the NFL and departing professional football as a whole to joining the UFC, Anthony Wint is one of the best stories from DWCS season 10.

DWCS Season 10's Best Fighters: Modestino Rodrigues

We're continuing our look at the best fighters from DWCS season 10 with one of the latest graduates from Contender Series this year. During this past week's show, Modestino Rodrigues (8-1 MMA, 1-0 DWCS) fought the returning Brandon Holmes (6-2 MMA, 0-2 DWCS.)

Holmes had been searching for atonement for his defeat last season on Contender Series versus Cam Rowston, but Rodrigues made certain that the only man who'd be making headlines from this fight would be himself. Right from the jump on Tuesday, he unloaded with a barrage of nasty shots, giving Brandon Holmes no chance at landing countershots.

Although Dana White made his feelings known that he didn't like how quickly referee Chris Tognoni stopped the contest, that doesn't diminish what Rodrigues did. The goal of the show is to impress Dana White, and he did so convincingly.

DWCS Season 10's Best Fighters: Alex Apodaca

We couldn't let this look at some of the best fighters from DWCS season 10 pass without discussing Alex Apodaca (4-1 MMA, 1-0 DWCS) Going into DWCS 89 on the night of Aug. 25, the odds were firmly stacked against Apodaca. Sportsbooks had her opponent that evening, Bella Mir (4-1 MMA, 0-1 DWCS) as a -6000 favorite on the moneyline.

While Apodaca didn't get the win by way of stoppage in this particular fight, her performance throughout the 15 minutes of action was nothing short of amazing. stopping five out of six takedown attempts en route to a unanimous decision win. Apodaca's efforts were enough to secure a UFC contract by the end of the card.

DWCS Season 10's Fighters Bringing A-Game to Apex

Every year on Contender Series, 100 fighters over the course of a 10-week season make a trip to the Las Vegas area with a UFC contract being the prize they seek. So far, 20 of these competitors have realized the goal of making it to the UFC through the show.

Six weeks of action on Contender Series are still yet to come. If the contestants who have already fought on DWCS season 10 are any indication, the fighters who will be making the walk in the coming weeks have plenty to live up to. 

This year's roster of fighters on Contender Series have understood the assignment to the letter and have entertained fans the world over. This is shaping up to be the best season ever.