DWCS Alumni Competing In Houston

Geoff Neal got his start nearly 10 years ago in the inaugural season of Contender Series. Back in 2017, “Handz of Steel” made the walk against Chase Waldon in week three of the show, and it was an easy night in the office for a Texas native who got the job done by TKO in under two minutes. Neal received a contract that night and went on to rattle off five wins in a row after making his debut at the beginning of 2018. 

Uroš Medić

While many of these athletes have years of UFC experience under their belt, Jacobe Smith is still in the earlier stages of his career. After being an All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, “Cobe” fought on season 8 of DWCS, finishing Christien Savoie in the second round to earn his shot. 

Watch All The Classic DWCS Episodes On UFC FIGHT PASS

Last January, Smith made his debut and earned back-to-back finishes inside the Octagon, and he’ll look to secure another one in Houston.

Zach Reese

A native of Shiner, Texas, Zach Reese gets to make the walk in front of his home crowd on Saturday night. Back in 2023, Reese competed on DWCS against Eli Aronov, securing the finish in 74 seconds by armbar. 

Stay On Top Of All Things UFC With Our Official Newsletter

Later that year, Reese made his debut against Cody Brundage, where he came up short, but picked up his first UFC win against Julian Marquez with a stunning first-round knockout that took only 20 seconds. With 80 percent of his wins ending inside the distance, Reese is one to keep your eye on. 

Chidi Njokuani

“The Jamaican Sensation” stepped onto the scene in 2019 when he competed on season 3 of DWCS. He fought Armand Villarreal, where he earned a contract with his first-round submission. 

Osbourne kicked off his debut year against Brian Kelleher, where he came up short, and then didn’t return to the Octagon for over a year but was able to secure his first win inside the Octagon with a 26-second knockout over Jerome Rivera. 

Luis Gurule 

Yadier del Valle is an athlete you should keep your eye on. “The Cuban Problem” is in fact a problem in the featherweight division and currently holds an undefeated 10-0 record heading into his sophomore campaign. 

Back in 2024, del Valle competed on the final week of season 8 of DWCS, where he earned a contract with a unanimous decision win. Last year, he fought twice, with both of his wins ending by submission in the first round.

Carli Judice

It’s not often you see someone lose on DWCS and still earn a contract, but that was the case for Carli Judice. The Louisiana native went the distance against Ernesta Kareckaite where she fell on the wrong side of the scorecards in a split decision loss. 

Judice still earned a contract and after losing her debut by split decision, “Crispy” has turned things around, notching back-to-back wins heading into 2026. 

Punahele Soriano 

Jean-PaulLebosnoyani makes his long-awaited debut Saturday night against Phil Rowe after an impressive 68-second knockout back in September secured his contract. “Mufasa” comes into the matchup with a four-fight win streak and a chance to prove he is someone to watch at 170 pounds.