The show has become one of MMA’s most recognizable launchpads, helping introduce future UFC stars like Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill and Ricky Simón. For the athletes on this year’s first card, the objective is straightforward: make an impact in front of Dana White and the UFC matchmakers and leave with a contract.
A Big Night for Fighters Chasing a UFC Breakthrough
Season 10 begins with high stakes and plenty of ambition. Every athlete on the card is trying to turn one performance into a contract, and Episode 1 offers a strong mix of styles, backgrounds and finishing ability.
The action begins Tuesday, August 11, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Paramount+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Episode 1 Opens with a Diverse Fight Card
The first episode features a mix of undefeated prospects, experienced finishers and athletes with compelling backstories.
Jon Kunneman vs. Joe Kropschot
Jon Kunneman enters the middleweight bout with a perfect 10-0 record and a strong finishing rate, including six submissions and four knockouts. The Denver native has lived with Type 1 diabetes since age 11, and his path has required constant adjustment in training, nutrition and weight cutting. After previously missing out on a DWCS opportunity because of injury and timing, he finally gets another shot to impress.
Joe Kropschot brings a record of 8-3 and a 100% finish rate into the matchup. Fighting out of California, he has rebuilt his career after early setbacks and later won the LFA middleweight title. Kropschot believes his biggest strength is mental toughness, and he sees this fight as a career-changing opportunity.
Kunneman vs. Kropschot Odds
Kunneman: -400
Kropschot: +265
Bilal Hasan vs. Mridul Saikia
Undefeated flyweight Bilal Hasan is another fighter looking to make a statement. The 24-year-old from Everett, Washington, is known for a creative, high-energy style and carries an 8-0-1 record. A lifelong martial artist, Hasan began with Taekwondo as a child before developing into a well-rounded mixed martial artist. He also earned experience as the CFFC flyweight champion and trained alongside Demetrious Johnson and Matt Hume.
Hasan views this fight as a chance to showcase his versatility and confirm that he belongs on the UFC stage.
Hasan vs. Saikia Odds
Hasan: -2500
Saikia: +800
Anthony Wint vs. Matt Adams
Heavyweight Anthony Wint brings a 6-0 record into the cage, with five of those wins coming by finish. A former college football player and NFL practice squad member, Wint made the transition to MMA after a career in football and quickly became a standout at Kill Cliff FC. He describes his style as aggressive and controlling, and he believes his speed and power can carry him to a UFC deal.
Matt Adams will be trying to stop that momentum. The Ohio fighter owns a 6-2 record and has scored five first-round knockouts. Adams has overcome a difficult upbringing and is motivated by his family, especially his children. He expects a fast-paced, entertaining fight and believes he is in the best form of his career.
Wint vs. Adams Odds
Wint: -1100
Adams: +525
Abe Alsaghir vs. Fabrizio Escarrega
Abe Alsaghir is one of the more compelling stories on the card. The undefeated 25-year-old moved from Lebanon to the U.S. as a teenager, supported his family from a young age and later served as a paratrooper. Now 8-0 with seven finishes, he is trying to turn years of sacrifice into a UFC contract.
Across from him is Fabrizio “El Cachorro” Escarrega, a 9-1 fighter from Mexico with deep family ties to combat sports. Training at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City, Escarrega has become a well-rounded fighter with strong boxing skills and the confidence to finish in multiple ways.
Alsaghir vs. Escarrega Odds
Alsaghir: +110
Escarrega: -150
Ananias Mulumba vs. Tom Pagliarulo
The card also includes featherweight Tom Pagliarulo, a 10-2 prospect from Boston who has been especially dangerous in recent fights. He has nine career finishes and is currently on a four-fight winning streak, with all four victories coming in the first round. Training in Colorado with elite-level partners, Pagliarulo believes his mix of speed, range and wrestling makes him a dangerous matchup.
He faces Ananias Mulumba in a bout that could help determine whether he gets the call from White.
Mulumba vs. Pagliarulo Odds
Mulumba: -140
Pagliarulo: +105
Discover more from bet365
For more details about the fighters in season 10, take a look at the full DWCS episode 1 preview.
If you're interested in additional information, read more UFC news on site.
