DWCS Week 5: Two blistering KOs and five UFC contracts light up the Apex
Steven Asplund scores a 16-second TKO, Lerryan Douglas delivers a 36-second KO, and two strawweights earn deals after a three-round war.
Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series (Season 9) delivered chaos and contracts on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Heavyweight Steven Asplund flattened Anthony Guarascio in just 0:16, the third-fastest KO in DWCS history, while featherweight Lerryan Douglas blasted Cam Teague in 0:36. UFC brass handed out five total contracts after a card that mixed lightning finishes with gritty comebacks.
Light heavyweight Freddy Vidal shocked Felipe Franco with a late rear-naked choke, but because he missed weight by 4 lb, he did not receive a contract; instead, Dana White offered him another chance later this season. In the opener, Carol Foro edged Shanelle Dyer in a barnburner—both women were rewarded with UFC deals for their performance.
Quick results
- Steven Asplund def. Anthony Guarascio — TKO (punches & elbows), R1 0:16
- Lerryan Douglas def. Cam Teague — KO (punches), R1 0:36
- Freddy Vidal def. Felipe Franco — Sub (RNC), R3 4:48
- Samuel Sanches def. Chasen Blair — KO (punches), R1 2:01
- Carol Foro def. Shanelle Dyer — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Highlights (X & YouTube)
What it means
- Asplund and Douglas arrive as instant “must-watch” newcomers after sub-40-second KOs.
- Foro vs. Dyer reinforced the strawweight pipeline, with both earning contracts after a high-pace three-rounder.
- Vidal stays in the mix despite the miss—look for his makeup audition on the season’s final episode.