Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10 is here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ten hungry prospects will step into the cage, all fighting for that life-changing UFC contract.
Headlining the night is a can’t-miss light heavyweight scrap between Arlind Berisha and Quentin Pasley. Check out the full lineup and our predictions for an explosive Week 5 of DWCS:
How to Watch
- 📅 Date: Tuesday, September 8th
- 🕑 Start Time: 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET
- 📍 Location: UFC Meta Apex — Las Vegas, Nevada
- 📺 How to Watch: Paramount+
Full Match Card for Week 5
- Featured Light Heavyweight Bout: Arlind Berisha (5-0) vs. Quentin Pasley (3-0)
- Welterweight Bout: Isaac Moreno (8-0) vs. Reginaldo Junior (11-1)
- Middleweight Bout: Martin Kozák (6-0) vs. Christian Echols (8-4)
- Bantamweight Bout: Won Il Kwon (14-6) vs. Apollo Gomes (12-2)
- Flyweight Bout: Colton Loud (7-1) vs. Christian Natividad (9-0)
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Card Predictions for Contender Series Week 5:
Arlind Berisha vs. Quentin Pasley
Arlind Berisha is 25 years old, undefeated, and represents Albania. At 6-foot-6, he brings an imposing physical presence regardless of the weight class. Even more impressive, all of his wins have come by first-round finish, with three coming in under a minute.
Quentin Pasley has also finished every MMA fight of his career in the first round. He has amateur MMA experience despite only being 3-0 as a professional. He also has experience competing professionally in grappling, boxing, and kickboxing.
With neither fighter having seen a second round in their career, fans should expect this fight to be short and explosive. Berisha enters the fight as the betting favorite.
Prediction: Arlind Berisha via KO/TKO
Isaac Moreno vs. Reginaldo Junior
Isaac Moreno is 28 years old and undefeated as both a professional and amateur. He was originally scheduled to fight in October but accepted a short-notice opportunity on Contender Series after Stefano Paternò withdrew due to injury. Moreno, however, hasn’t fought in nearly a year, making his return an interesting one.
Standing across from him will be 27-year-old Brazilian Reginaldo Junior, who trains at the Fighting Nerds gym. Junior is also coming off a lengthy layoff, but he has a well-rounded skill set and a solid strength of schedule. Six of his wins have come by first-round finish, while his lone loss came by decision.
With the betting lines nearly even, this could be one of the more competitive fights on the card. Junior’s experience and overall résumé give him the slight edge.
Prediction: Reginaldo Junior via Submission
Martin Kozák vs. Christian Echols
Martin Kozák is a 24-year-old undefeated fighter from Slovakia who has yet to lose as either a professional or amateur. He captured a regional championship in his most recent fight in April and has finished every professional victory, with half of those finishes coming in the first round.
Christian Echols, 28, has established himself as a submission specialist, with all six of his submission victories coming in the first round. He is stepping in on short notice after Juan Cabrera ran into visa issues. Echols won a regional light heavyweight championship in his last fight, though that bout took place nearly a year ago.
More importantly, he missed weight for a 191-pound catchweight bout in February, which led to the fight being canceled. Making the middleweight limit on short notice could be a significant challenge, especially against an undefeated opponent.
The short notice and weight issues may be a major factor in Kozák opening as the betting favorite. If Echols struggles with the weight cut or conditioning, Kozák has the skill set to take advantage.
Prediction: Martin Kozák via KO/TKO
Won Il Kwon vs. Apollo Gomes
Won Il Kwon is 31 years old and fighting out of South Korea. He enters this matchup on a two-fight losing streak, with his most recent defeat coming on Contender Series last season when he was caught by a highlight-reel spinning elbow. Despite the recent losses, the UFC clearly sees potential in Kwon. The promotion bringing him back without requiring another fight is a strong indication that they still believe he belongs at this level.
Apollo Gomes is 26 and from Brazil. He has competed at bantamweight before, but his recent career has been inconsistent when it comes to weight. He has fought at a 140-pound catchweight, featherweight, and even lightweight.
The betting line is nearly even, so this could go either way. However, Kwon’s previous high level experience and the UFC’s willingness to give him another opportunity make him the pick.
Prediction: Won Il Kwon via Decision
Colton Loud vs. Christian Natividad
Colton Loud is 25 years old and has finished every victory of his career, including six first-round finishes. He is also a former regional champion and has shown the ability to end fights both on the feet and on the mat. Loud was originally scheduled to face Frank Silva, who withdrew due to visa issues, opening the door for Christian Natividad to step in on short notice.
Natividad is 29 and undefeated as both a professional and amateur. He is a patient, high-IQ fighter who doesn’t take unnecessary risks. That approach has resulted in a high number of decisions on his record, but it has also produced plenty of wins. There’s little reason to abandon a style that has worked for him.
Natividad enters as the betting favorite, but Loud’s finishing ability gives him a significant threat in every phase of the fight. If Loud can force Natividad out of his comfort zone, he has the tools to score the upset.
Prediction: Colton Loud via Decision
