Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 5 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 5
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 0:16
UFC Contract Awarded
Brazil
R1, 0:36
UFC Contract Awarded
R3, 4:48
R1, 2:01
UFC Contract Awarded
R3, 5:00
Both Awarded Contracts
England
Official Event Results
Both Contracted
Official UFC Contracts & Performance Honors
UFC Contract Recipients & Nightly Honors
Historic Contract Haul: UFC CEO Dana White awarded five promotional UFC contracts following Week 5: Caroline Foro, Shanelle Dyer, Samuel Sanches, Lerryan Douglas, and Steven Asplund.
Historic Dual Contract Bout: Following their electrifying 15-minute strawweight war featuring three knockdowns and over 230 combined significant strikes, Dana White awarded contracts to both winner Carol Foro and loser Shanelle Dyer in recognition of Dyer’s legendary heart and striking output.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Contract Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | $1,250* | $11,250 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $3,750* | — | — | $3,750 |
*Purses reported under Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) guidelines standard for Dana White’s Contender Series ($5,000 show / $5,000 win). Freddy Vidal weighed in at 210 lbs (4 lbs over the light heavyweight non-title limit) and was fined 25% of his base purse ($1,250), which was awarded to opponent Felipe Franco.
Historic DWCS Records & Milestones
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 9, Week 5
Dana White awarded five UFC contracts on a single night, tying the all-time DWCS record for most contracts awarded in a single episode in franchise history.
Carol Foro and Shanelle Dyer became one of the rarest pairs in DWCS history to both receive UFC contracts after delivering an instant three-round classic.
Steven Asplund recorded the fastest heavyweight stoppage in Dana White’s Contender Series history, destroying Anthony Guarascio in just 16 seconds.
LFA champion Lerryan Douglas dismantled Cam Teague with heavy combinations in just 36 seconds, posting one of the five fastest featherweight finishes in DWCS history.
Week 5 featured two knockouts under 40 seconds on the same fight card (Asplund 0:16, Douglas 0:36), combining for just 52 seconds of total cage time.
Carol Foro (117) and Shanelle Dyer (115) combined for 232 significant strikes landed, establishing a new all-time DWCS record for a three-round women’s strawweight contest.
Carol Foro scored 3 official knockdowns against Shanelle Dyer, setting the all-time DWCS single-fight record for most knockdowns scored in any women’s division.
Carol Foro stuffed all 11 takedown attempts from Shanelle Dyer, logging a flawless 100% takedown defense rate throughout their high-paced 15-minute duel.
Felipe Franco locked in a fight-ending rear-naked choke with only 12 seconds remaining on the clock (4:48 of Round 3), registering the latest stoppage of Season 9.
Heavyweight underdog Steven Asplund (+124) upset previously unbeaten Anthony Guarascio (-160) inside 16 seconds to claim his promotional spot.
Three of the five contests on the card concluded via first-round knockout (Asplund 0:16, Douglas 0:36, and Sanches 2:01), maintaining DWCS’s highest finishing clip of 2025.
Samuel Sanches quickly settled the dead-heat -115 pick’em line by knocking out wrestling standout Chasen Blair with power punches in just 2:01 of the opening frame.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 5 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 5 took place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Steven Asplund and Anthony Guarascio?
Steven Asplund defeated Anthony Guarascio via TKO (punch and elbows) in just 16 seconds of Round 1 to secure the fastest heavyweight knockout in DWCS history.
Who earned UFC contracts at DWCS Season 9, Week 5?
UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to five fighters: Caroline Foro, Shanelle Dyer, Samuel Sanches, Lerryan Douglas, and Steven Asplund.
Why did Shanelle Dyer receive a UFC contract despite losing?
Despite being dropped three times, Shanelle Dyer displayed extraordinary heart, durability, and volume, landing 115 significant strikes in a fight-of-the-year contender. Dana White was so impressed by both fighters that he awarded contracts to both Carol Foro and Shanelle Dyer.
How fast was Lerryan Douglas’ finish over Cam Teague?
Lerryan Douglas knocked out Cam Teague via punch at 0:36 of Round 1, scoring two knockdowns in the brief 36-second encounter.
Did Freddy Vidal miss weight for his bout against Felipe Franco?
Yes. Freddy Vidal weighed in at 210 pounds, four pounds over the light heavyweight non-title limit. Vidal was fined 25% of his purse, and Felipe Franco submitted him via rear-naked choke at 4:48 of Round 3.
How did Samuel Sanches defeat Chasen Blair?
Samuel Sanches stopped wrestling specialist Chasen Blair via KO (punches) at 2:01 of Round 1, landing 12 significant strikes and denying three takedowns.
Where was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 5 broadcast?
The event streamed live exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States and was available on Paramount+ / UFC Fight Pass internationally.
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