DWCS Season 8, Week 3 results: Four fighters receive contracts, Dana White books a rematch for future episode

After another night of exciting fights, the UFC has four new fighters joining its ranks, along with a few others receiving special consideration.

On Tuesday night, the third episode of season eight of Contender Series took place in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX and after five fights, UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to Andrey Pulyaev, Bogdan Grad, Marco Tulio, and Malcolm Wellmaker. That wasn’t all though.

Despite losing to Grad, White gave Michael Aswell a special shoutout as someone who will receive a call for any future short-notice opportunities, and he also got creative with the controversial decision in the opening matchup between Jack Duffy and Nick Piccininni, suggesting a rebooking of the fight for later this season.

Pulyaev battles past Anderson

Andrey Pulyaev fought for the first time outside of Russia on Tuesday and it appears that the Vegas air agrees with him because the 26-year-old put on the best performance of his career when he outlasted Liam Anderson in the main event.

Pulyaev showed extremely effective kickboxing right from the jump, tagging Anderson with both kicks and jabs at range, and then landing nasty hooks when Anderson came inside. As the fight dragged on, Anderson was able to score some takedowns to battle back, but Pulyaev was equal to the grappling and ultimately won a unanimous decision and earned a UFC contract.

Grad goes to war with Aswell

After falling short against Tom Nolan last year in Contender Series, Bogdan Grad made the most of his second chance, putting on one of the best fights in Contender Series history with Michael Aswell.

Grad and Aswell went toe-to-toe in a battle of wills, with Aswell’s straight boxing playing a perfect foil to Grad’s aggression and power punches. After 15 minutes, both men were bloodied and beaten, and Grad eked out a split decision. Truly though, there were no losers in this fight as afterward, Dana White announced that for their incredible scrap, both fighters would be paid their show and win purses, along with a special fight bonus and a UFC contract for Grad, and Aswell wasn’t left out in the cold as Dana White said he would be the first call if someone falls out of any upcoming fights.

Tulio spins to victory over Duclos

In 2023, Marco Tulio made his Contender Series debut and picked up a win by unanimous decision, plus an edict from Dana White to go out and get better. On Tuesday, Tulio showed he did that just, finishing Matthieu Duclos with a nasty spinning back kick and punches.

Tulio came out aggressive early but Duclos proved equal to it early, battling back in a competitive round. But in the second, Tulio kept the pressure on and landed one of the most brutal spinning kicks you will ever see to the liver, immediately incapacitating Duclos. A few follow-up punches sealed the deal and got Tulio his shot in the UFC.

Wellmaker flatlines Bramhald

Malcolm Wellmaker promised a first-round starching, and he delivered just that, icing Adam Bramhald in under three minutes.

The undefeated prospect out of Augusta, GA came out and put it on Adam Bramhald with low kicks and a snappy jab. As a result, Bramhald got a bit reckless to close the distance and when he did, Wellmaker slept him right a devastating right hand counter that left no doubt as to whether or not he would get a contract from the UFC.

Piccininni outlasts Duffy

A three-time NCAA Division 1 All-American in wrestling, Nick Piccininni came in to Contender Series with high expectations given his pedigree, but he had his hands full, grinding out a split decision win.

Despite being a big underdog, Jack Duffy came out firing against Piccininni with low kicks and a super active guard when Piccininni did go to the wrestling. But after a tough opening round, Piccininni managed to have more success with the grappling, scoring takedowns and getting to the back repeatedly. In the end, the judges gave Piccininni the decision, but Dana White did not agree, so instead of offering any contracts, he offered to run this fight back on episode 10 of this season, if both fighters agree.

Check out the DWCS results below.

Andrey Pulyaev def. Liam Anderson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bogdan Grad def. Michael Aswell via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Marco Tulio def. Matthieu Duclos via TKO (spinning back kick and punches) — Round 2, 2:38

Malcolm Wellmaker def. Adam Bramhald via knockout — Round 1, 2:29

Nick Piccininni def. Jack Duffy via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)