For the final time this season, another collection of hopefuls head into battle at the UFC APEX, eager to make an impression on UFC President Dana White in hopes of leaving with a chance to compete inside the Octagon next time out secured.
After another quick night of deliberations, White was effusive with his praise and generous with the contracts once more, adding five more athletes to the roster to match the record for the most contracts handed out in a single season. Middleweight Wes Schultz, welterweight Michael Oliveira, featherweight Marwan Rahiki, bantamweight Juan Diaz, and light heavyweight Levi Rodrigues Jr. all got the call to compete in the Octagon after earning jaw-dropping finishes to close out an absolutely thrilling season inside the UFC APEX.
“Party Time,” who lost to rising star Mansur Abdul-Malek in the opening week last season, dropped Mingaj very early in the contest, chasing him to the canvas where the Italian almost managed to take his back. But Schultz worked clear and took Mingaj’s back as the Italian rose to his feet, quickly attacking the Suloev stretch right away, torquing on the left leg and collecting the submission.
After losing early last season and being unable to take advantage of an offer to compete a second time last year, the Pura Vida BJJ/MMA representative capitalized on this opportunity here. Just an outstanding performance from the 29-year-old middleweight!
Jovan Leka survived a challenging and frustrating opening round against Azamat Nuftillaev on Tuesday night before shifting the tides in his favor, dominating the middle stanza, and grind out the victory in the third.
The 23-year-old Serbian did well to minimize damage and not expend too much energy after getting taken down and stuck in grappling entanglements with Nuftillaev over the opening five minutes. But with his foe clearly fatigued, Leka took the fight to Nuftillaev at the outset of the second, putting him on the canvas and mauling on him, looking for chokes and landing elbows before finishing the round in mount. After briefly being taken down, Leka worked to his feet and went back on the offensive, grinding and mauling Nuftillaev through to the final horn.
Michael Oliveira and Victor Valenzuela engaged in a back-and-forth striking battle in the third fight of the night, each showing positive flashes at points before the undefeated Brazilian cranked up the punishment and put Valenzuela away with just over a minute to go in the second.
The dueling welterweights spent the first five minutes trading blows, Oliveira showing the cleaner technique and greater speed, while Valenzuela responded with tight hooks and gutsy return fire. But as the second round ticked on, Oliveira started seizing control, dropping “Psicosis” on multiple occasions before finally pounding out the finish.
This was an outstanding showing for the former LFA standout, who showcased his technical prowess and the power he possesses on the feet in dispatching the durable and game Valenzuela. Now 9-0 as a professional, the former paratrooper is an outstanding prospect at 170 pounds and looks to have a very bright future.
Marwan Rahiki and Ananias Mulumba had Dana White on his feet after the first five minutes, and was he remained thoroughly impressed right up to the point where Rahiki secured the finish midway through the second round.
MY GOODNESS 🤯
— UFC (@ufc) October 15, 2025
WHAT A STUNNING KO BY MARWAN RAHIKI! pic.twitter.com/jKfJfQY3XF
Just an absolutely chaotic battle and tremendous show of resilience by Rahiki. He was dead to rights a couple times in the first, but stayed present and secured an impressive stoppage win. What a fight!
Juan Diaz collected an impressive win in the penultimate fight of Season 9, flattening South Korean veteran Kwon Wonil in the closing seconds of the second round.
After hurting Kwon midway through the first round and landing the more impactful shots for much of the second, Diaz drew the former ONE Championship contender forward in the waning moments, timing his spin perfectly and landing with a thud, ending the fight instantly.
HOLY SPINNING ELBOW 🤯
— UFC (@ufc) October 15, 2025
JUAN DIAZ JUST GAVE US ONE OF THE BEST KOs IN #DWCS HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/foUOwM1fEe
The 27-year-old Peruvian advanced to 15-1-1 with the knockout win, becoming the first athlete to earn a finish by spinning back elbow in the show’s history. Just beautiful execution from “Pegajoso” who looked like a promising bantamweight prospect in the biggest moment of his career.
Levi Rodrigues Jr. closed out Season 9 with a first-round stoppage win over returning hopeful Freddy Vidal.
After Vidal tried to close the distance and wrestle, Rodrigues Jr. hurt the two-time contestant with a short shot inside. When Vidal tried to wrestle in again, the Brazilian blasted him with a knee that sent him crashing backwards to the canvas, creating the opening Rodrigues Jr. needed to pound out the finish.
