Once more, the Contender Series brings in some of the top prospects in the sport to duke it out for their chance to enter the UFC in DWCS 79. In the main event this week, Xtreme Couture representative Trent Miller locks horns with LFA veteran Ryan Gandra. In the DWCS 79 co-main bout of the night, Brazilian stoppage whiz Márcio Barbosa pits his skills against Alliance MMA’s Damon Wilson.
Rattling off two wins in a row, Miller accepts the biggest opportunity of his professional career up until this point when he steps into the renowned UFC Apex. Determined to follow in the footsteps of other prominent Contender Series alumni, “The Terminator” seeks to put on a statement in front of the promotion’s top brass in order to punch his ticket to the big leagues in the DWCS 79 main event.
Unbeaten since 2022, Gandra has logged six wins in a row, with all but one of them coming inside the distance. Competing in the United States for the first time, “Problema” aims to make it another quick trip to the cage to capture his UFC contract during DWCS 79.
UFC BJJ 1: Carlos Henrique vs Danilo Moreira LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Dana White holds the belt of UFC BJJ 1 after the bout between Carlos Henrique and Danilo Moreira compete in the inaugural UFC BJJ 1 at the UFC APEX on June 25, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.Photo by Alejandro Salazar/Pximages Las Vegas UFC APEX Nevada USA Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
DWCS 79 Co-Main Event
After losing to future UFC fighter Gabriel Santos three years ago, Barbosa has embarked on an impressive three-bout winning streak, with all of them ending by first round knockout. In the second to last match of the evening at DWCS 79, “Ticotô” can potentially steal the spotlight by producing one more sensational stoppage.
Fighting almost exclusively in Cage Warriors throughout his entire professional tenure, Wilson has become a fixture of the promotion’s frequent events held in San Diego, California. Amassing an 8-2 record with the company, “The Nomad” now is looking to take his talents to the next level in the UFC.
Here’s how to watch DWCS 79
Online Streaming: You can catch the entire card on ESPN+, but you will need to subscribe in order to do so. Right now, the company is offering a monthly or yearly subscription of $11.99 and $119.99 respectively. For those who want to get more bang out of their buck, there is also the monthly Disney Bundle Deal, which offers ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ for $16.99 with included commercials, or $26.99 for no commercials at all.
Start Time and Date: The card will begin at 8pm ET on August 26th.
Bout Order for DWCS 79
Card:
Trent Miller vs. Ryan Gandra (Middleweight Main Event)
Márcio Barbosa vs. Damon Wilson (Featherweight Co-Main Event)
Alik Lorenz vs. Abdul-Rahkman Yakhyaev (Light Heavyweight)
Cristian Pérez vs. Manoel Sousa (Lightweight)
Darion Abbey vs. Donte Johnson (Heavyweight)