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DWCS Season 10 – Modestino Rodrigues needed only 15 seconds to make his case for a place in the UFC.
The 22 year old Brazilian stopped Brandon Holmes with a rapid burst of punches during the co main event of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, Week 4 on Tuesday night at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The victory moved Rodrigues to 8 and 1 as a professional and earned him a UFC contract, despite controversy surrounding the referee’s decision to end the fight.
Rodrigues entered the contest after a lengthy period away from MMA competition, having last fought under MMA rules in June 2025. He had also competed in a kickboxing tournament during the intervening period. His return could hardly have gone better.
Rodrigues wastes no time against Holmes
The fight barely had time to develop.
Rodrigues immediately moved forward and connected with a fast combination before continuing to pressure Holmes. A final punch sent Holmes to the canvas, prompting referee Chris Tognoni to step in at the 15 second mark.
The stoppage generated discussion because Holmes remained conscious and appeared to be attempting to defend himself when the referee intervened. Dana White later criticized the decision, calling it one of the worst stoppages he had seen on the Contender Series.
The result nevertheless added another emphatic finish to Rodrigues’ record. According to the supplied reports, he has now finished all eight of his professional victories, with six coming inside two minutes. The 15 second knockout also ties for the second fastest knockout in Contender Series history, behind Alonzo Menifield’s eight second finish from 2018.
Dana White still rewards the performance
Despite his criticism of the stoppage, White had no hesitation about giving Rodrigues a UFC contract.
The Brazilian had spent nine months away from his family while preparing for his opportunity on the Contender Series. After the fight, Rodrigues spoke about how much the sport had changed his life and credited his team for preparing him to capitalize on his striking.
“This team, we train so hard,” Rodrigues said, explaining that his coaches had repeatedly emphasized the speed and effectiveness of his combination.
The contract means Rodrigues will now begin the next stage of his career inside the UFC. His ability to produce quick finishes will naturally make him an interesting addition to the middleweight division, although his first UFC appearance will provide a much different test.
Five fighters earn UFC contracts
Rodrigues was not the only fighter to leave Las Vegas with a UFC deal.
All five winners on the Week 4 card impressed White enough to receive contracts, taking the Season 10 total to 20 contract winners after four weeks. Ireland’s Adam Darby, Mexico’s Silvestre Sanchez, American Adam Livingston and Brazilian heavyweight Gabriel Lorenco joined Rodrigues on the UFC roster.
Darby produced the most complete performance of the night in the main event against Patrick Rivera. The Cage Warriors welterweight champion used his significant reach advantage to control the distance with straight punches and kicks. Rivera absorbed sustained punishment before a doctor stopped the fight at 2:42 of the third round.
Sanchez also secured his contract with a late finish. Liam McCracken had moments early in their lightweight contest, but Sanchez gradually took control through pressure, power shots and takedowns. A clean left hook in the third round ended the fight at 2:44.
Lorenco delivers another first round finish
Gabriel Lorenco added another knockout to a night filled with stoppages when he defeated Charlie Cleveland in the heavyweight contest.
The two fighters opened aggressively, exchanging heavy strikes from the start. Cleveland initially appeared to have success, but Lorenco found his opening while Cleveland was moving away. A powerful hook sent Cleveland down before Lorenco followed with additional strikes to force the stoppage at 2:02 of the opening round.
The finish came with its own controversy, with questions raised about an elbow that appeared to land near the back of Cleveland’s head. Even so, Lorenco received the UFC contract alongside the other four winners.
Livingston gets redemption
Adam Livingston completed the night’s only decision victory.
The lightweight returned to the Contender Series after losing to Tommy Gantt during Season 9. Against Hunter Smith, Livingston used his length and varied striking to create openings, including several spinning attacks, while Smith repeatedly pushed forward with heavy punches.
After three competitive rounds, Livingston earned a split decision with scores of 29 to 28, 28 to 29 and 29 to 28. The victory gave him a second chance on the Contender Series and, this time, a UFC contract.
Week 4 therefore produced a rare clean sweep for the winners. Every fighter who entered the night looking for a UFC contract left with one, while Rodrigues provided the quickest and most memorable finish of the evening.
DWCS Season 10 Week 4 results
Adam Darby def. Patrick Rivera via TKO by doctor stoppage, Round 3, 2:42
Modestino Rodrigues def. Brandon Holmes via TKO by punches, Round 1, 0:15
Silvestre Sanchez def. Liam McCracken via TKO by punches, Round 3, 2:44
Gabriel Lorenco def. Charlie Cleveland via TKO by punches, Round 1, 2:02
Adam Livingston def. Hunter Smith via split decision, 29 to 28, 28 to 29, 29 to 28
All five winners received UFC contracts.
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