Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 3 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 3
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 1:14
UFC Contract Winner
Israel
Wales
R3, 5:00
UFC Contract Winner
Brazil
Sweden
R3, 5:00
Netherlands
Peru
R1, 3:43
UFC Contract Winner
Official Event Results
UFC Contract
Official Contract Awards & Bonuses
Official UFC Promotional Contract Recipients
UFC Promotional Contracts: UFC CEO Dana White awarded three promotional contracts to victorious competitors: Zach Reese, Oban Elliott, and Luis Pajuelo.
Performance Bonuses: Traditional $50,000 post-fight performance bonuses are not distributed at Dana White’s Contender Series events; standout athletes are rewarded directly with multi-fight promotional contracts to join the UFC roster.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Contract Compensation
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 |
*Disclosed figures reflect standard Dana White’s Contender Series baseline payment structures established by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) ($5,000 to show, with an additional $5,000 win bonus, or $10,000/$10,000 tiered rates). In addition to their disclosed compensation, Zach Reese, Oban Elliott, and Luis Pajuelo earned multi-fight promotional UFC contracts.
Historic DWCS Records Set
Promotional Records Established at Season 7, Week 3
Zach Reese locked in an armbar against Eli Aronov in just 1 minute and 14 seconds of round 1, scoring one of the fastest submissions in DWCS middleweight history.
Oban Elliott became one of the rare Welsh welterweights to earn a direct UFC contract through the Contender Series, surviving a wild brawl against Kaik Brito.
Dana White officially signed 75% of the night’s victorious athletes, granting promotional contracts to Zach Reese, Oban Elliott, and Luis Pajuelo.
Luis Pajuelo became the first Peruvian featherweight to earn a UFC deal via stoppage on the series, finishing Robbie Ring with a knee to the body at 3:43 of Round 1.
Pajuelo connected on 100% of his attempted body strikes (9/9) and leg kicks (4/4) before forcing the referee stoppage against Robbie Ring.
Josefine Knutsson accumulated 6 minutes and 48 seconds of control time against Isis Verbeek, controlling 45% of the 15-minute contest on the canvas.
Oban Elliott and Kaik Brito landed 100 combined significant strikes across three rounds in an all-action contest that produced a dramatic majority decision.
Zach Reese preserved his unblemished professional record, moving to 6-0-0 overall while maintaining a 100% first-round stoppage rate across his career.
Due to late fight-week cancellations, Season 7, Week 3 featured four high-stakes matchups, tying the record for the most compact card of the 2023 season.
Former kickboxing champion Josefine Knutsson outstruck fellow kickboxer Isis Verbeek 53 to 47 in significant strikes to sweep unanimous 30-27 scorecards.
Luis Pajuelo defended two of Robbie Ring’s three takedown attempts, maintaining an upright striking offensive that produced 34 significant strikes landed.
Week 3 registered one of the highest contract award percentages of Season 7, as 3 out of the 4 victorious fighters secured UFC contracts from Dana White.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 3 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 3 took place on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Zach Reese and Eli Aronov?
Zach Reese defeated Eli Aronov via first-round submission (armbar) at 1:14 to earn a UFC promotional contract.
Which fighters were awarded UFC contracts at DWCS Season 7, Week 3?
UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to three fighters: Zach Reese, Oban Elliott, and Luis Pajuelo.
How did Oban Elliott win his UFC contract against Kaik Brito?
Oban Elliott defeated Kaik Brito via majority decision (29–28, 29–28, 28–28) after surviving heavy striking exchanges and landing 4 takedowns with 4:25 of control time.
How did Luis Pajuelo defeat Robbie Ring?
Luis Pajuelo finished Robbie Ring via TKO (knee to the body and punches) at 3:43 of Round 1 to secure his UFC contract.
Who won the strawweight bout between Josefine Knutsson and Isis Verbeek?
Josefine Knutsson defeated Isis Verbeek via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), relying on dominant clinch control and outstriking Verbeek 53 to 47 in significant strikes.
Why did this Contender Series event only have 4 fights?
A scheduled flyweight bout between Edgar Cháirez and Felipe dos Santos fell through after dos Santos was pulled on short notice to fight Tatsuro Taira at UFC 290, and a replacement bout could not be finalized.
What was the quickest finish at DWCS Season 7, Week 3?
Zach Reese recorded the fastest stoppage of the night, submitting Eli Aronov in just 74 seconds (1:14 of Round 1) with an armbar.
How many fights took place on this card?
The event featured 4 mixed martial arts bouts across four divisions: Middleweight, Welterweight, Women’s Strawweight, and Featherweight.
Where was DWCS Season 7, Week 3 broadcast?
The entire event was streamed live exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States and on UFC Fight Pass in international territories.
Who called the fights for DWCS Season 7, Week 3?
The commentary team consisted of lead play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color analysts Laura Sanko and Paul Felder.
Who was the cage announcer at this event?
Veteran ring announcer Joe Martinez introduced all fighters inside the Octagon at the UFC Apex.
Did any fighters preserve an undefeated record at this event?
Yes. Zach Reese improved his undefeated record to 6-0-0, while Josefine Knutsson also stayed unbeaten, advancing to 6-0-0.
What was the finishing rate at DWCS Season 7, Week 3?
The card finished with a 50% stoppage rate, featuring one knockout (Luis Pajuelo), one submission (Zach Reese), and two decisions (Oban Elliott and Josefine Knutsson).
What size cage was used for this event?
The event was held inside the 25-foot smaller Octagon enclosure at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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