Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 7 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 7
United States
Main Card • Final
Bahrain
R1, 2:38
R3, 5:00
Brazil
R3, 5:00
R1, 2:52
Official Event Results
Official UFC Contracts Awarded
Dana White’s Contender Series Contract Winners
UFC Contracts Awarded: UFC CEO Dana White awarded official UFC promotional contracts to four fighters: Shamil Gaziev, Kaynan Kruschewsky, Igor Severino, and Stephanie Luciano.
Contract from a Draw: In an exceedingly rare Contender Series occurrence, Stephanie Luciano was awarded a UFC promotional contract despite her bout with Talita Alencar ending in a majority draw, after Dana White praised her ferocious heart, striking output, and takedown defense.
Reported Purses & Fighter Compensation
Disclosed Compensation & Contract Bonuses
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| DRAW | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| DRAW | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 |
*Purses reflect standard Dana White’s Contender Series compensation contracts filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), providing a $5,000 appearance purse and a $5,000 win bonus. In addition to bout compensation, four competitors (Gaziev, Kruschewsky, Severino, and Luciano) earned multi-fight UFC promotional contracts.
Historic Contender Series Records Set
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 7, Week 7
Stephanie Luciano achieved an exceedingly rare promotional feat by earning a UFC contract despite fighting to a draw, recognized by Dana White for her relentless heart and comeback striking.
Shamil Gaziev needed less than three minutes to hurt, ground, and choke out CFFC heavyweight champion Greg Velasco, securing an immediate UFC contract.
Flyweight prospect Igor Severino went a perfect 5-for-5 (100%) on takedown attempts while landing two knockdowns on his way to a second-round TKO of Jhonata Silva.
Reigning Jungle Fight flyweight champion Igor Severino and lightweight champion Kaynan Kruschewsky both secured emphatic stoppage victories and UFC contracts on the same card.
Stephanie Luciano and Talita Alencar traded 348 combined total strikes and engaged in 25 total takedown sequences, producing one of the most action-packed draws in DWCS history.
Stephanie Luciano defended 20 takedown attempts (83.3%) against multi-time IBJJF world champion Talita Alencar, frustrating her opponent’s world-class ground pedigree.
Kaynan Kruschewsky put Dylan Mantello to sleep with a tight rear-naked choke at 2:52 of Round 1, registering the fastest technical submission finish of Week 7.
Representing Bahrain by way of Dagestan, Shamil Gaziev kept his unblemished professional mixed martial arts record intact, advancing to 11-0 with 10 career stoppages.
Severino outlanded Jhonata Silva 75 to 37 in significant strikes (over a 2:1 ratio) while logging 2:37 of top control time before the referee waved off the contest.
Daniel Allen posted the highest individual significant strike tally of the evening (114 landed), outworking Jacobi Jones to sweep the judges’ scorecards.
Week 7 marked one of the most successful episodes of Season 7, with Dana White signing four fighters to UFC developmental agreements.
Gaziev became one of the few heavyweight athletes representing Bahrain and KHK MMA to earn a direct ticket onto the active Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 7 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 7 took place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Shamil Gaziev and Greg Velasco?
Undefeated heavyweight Shamil Gaziev defeated Greg Velasco via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:38 of Round 1 to secure a UFC promotional contract.
Who earned UFC contracts on DWCS Season 7, Week 7?
UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to four fighters: Shamil Gaziev, Kaynan Kruschewsky, Igor Severino, and Stephanie Luciano.
Why did Stephanie Luciano get a UFC contract despite a draw?
Despite her strawweight contest with Talita Alencar ending in a majority draw (28–28, 28–28, 28–28), Dana White was thoroughly impressed by Luciano’s resilience, high striking volume, and ability to stuff 20 takedowns against an elite BJJ world champion, choosing to award her a contract on the spot.
How did Kaynan Kruschewsky defeat Dylan Mantello?
Brazil’s Kaynan Kruschewsky put Dylan Mantello to sleep with a technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:52 of Round 1.
How did Igor Severino win his flyweight fight against Jhonata Silva?
Igor Severino scored two knockdowns and went 5-for-5 on takedowns before finishing fellow Brazilian Jhonata Silva with punches at 2:37 of Round 2.
Who won the lightweight bout between Daniel Allen and Jacobi Jones?
Daniel Allen defeated Jacobi Jones via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) after landing 114 significant strikes and two takedowns.
How many fights finished inside the distance on Week 7?
Three of the five bouts ended via finish: Shamil Gaziev (R1 Sub), Kaynan Kruschewsky (R1 Tech Sub), and Igor Severino (R2 TKO).
Where was DWCS Season 7, Week 7 broadcast?
The event streamed live across the United States exclusively on ESPN+, with international streaming provided via UFC Fight Pass and Paramount+ in select territories.
Who called the action for Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7, Week 7?
Play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald called the action cage-side alongside color analysts Michael Bisping and Laura Sanko, with Joe Martinez serving as the official Octagon announcer.
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