Overview
- Díaz knocked out Won Il Kwon at 4:58 of Round 2 at DWCS 86 with a spinning back elbow, the first such knockout in the series’ history.
- Dana White reacted loudly at cageside and told ESPN to make the finish No. 1 on its Top 10 Plays before confirming Díaz’s UFC contract.
- Wes Schultz (Suloev stretch submission), Michael Oliveira, Marwan Rahiki and Levi Rodrigues Jr. also earned UFC deals on the Season 9 finale.
- Season 9 matched the DWCS record with 46 contracts awarded and was widely described as the most finish-heavy season to date.
- White indicated the Contender Series is likely to shift to Paramount next year and said he aims to stage international editions in regions such as the Emirates and Europe.