DWCS rolled on with Episode 8 of Season 9 on Tuesday, September thirtieth. 5 fights came about on the UFC Apex, with 4 of the winners strolling away with UFC contracts. The UFC will formally be including the next fighters to the UFC roster:
Kurtis “Pink Panther” Campbell – 8-0 Featherweight
Louis “Mad Prince” Jourdain – 9-3 Bantamweight (brother of present UFC fighter Charles Jourdain)
Chris “The New child” Alvidrez – 7-1 Welterweight
Damian “Baba Yaga” Pinas – 8-1 Middleweight
All 4 of those fighters secured their victory by way of end, proving this week’s roster is prepared for the massive present. Though successful on the contender sequence is step one, we will probably be trying ahead and predicting some potential matchups that would match nicely for these fighters UFC debuts.
Kurtis “The Pink Panther” Campbell – 8-1 Featherweight
Kurtis “The Pink Panther” Campbell secured maybe probably the most viral end of the night, annihilating his opponent Demba Seck with large elbows from high place. Following his efficiency, Campbell walked out of the cage to The Pink Panther theme, exhibiting that the UFC brass is already getting behind the 23 yr outdated scouser.
Kurtis Campbell is a wonderful prospect, similar to Paddy Pimblett in his measurement and ability set. The Liverpool native is a former champion of England’s FCC promotion, and has quite a lot of finishes on his file. Lengthy kicks, highly effective punches, and a clumsy but successfully wrestling sport make up his main skillset on the toes, however the place he’s really harmful is in on the bottom. When Campbell will get high place, he’s brutal together with his floor and pound and showcased in his contender sequence bout.
This combat was fast work, and there’s no doubt Campbell will probably be on the lookout for quick turnaround for his first combat within the massive present. He appears to be on UFC matchmakers good facet so far, so I anticipate a good matchup for Campbell’s UFC debut.
Prediction: Kurtis Campbell (8-0) vs Francis Marshall (8-3) – December 2025/January 2026
Louis “Mad Prince” Jourdain – 9-3 Bantamweight
Louis Jourdain had the cleanest and most nicely rounded efficiency of the night. The Canadian bantamweight and youthful brother of UFC fighter Charles Jourdain, showcased all of his abilities en path to a 3rd spherical submission of Magno Dias. Jourdain using his lead hand, calf kicks, and glorious grappling sport to dominate all phases of the combat. A Jiu Jitsu brown belt with 4 professional boxing matches, Jourdain is about as nicely rounded as they arrive. Not solely did he safe a contract, however he additionally made historical past as Charles and Louis grew to become the primary Canadian siblings in UFC historical past to be on the roster.
Louis Jourdain’s largest setbacks haven’t been losses contained in the cage, however slightly accidents and misplaced time. Now that he’s again within the metaphorical saddle, there isn’t any doubt he is aware of the time is now for his profession. On the printed, he may very well be seen pleading with Dana White to e book him for UFC Vancouver (regardless of the very fact Dana White hasn’t booked a single combat for the UFC in years, that’s all Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard). Whereas it will be a fast turnaround in simply two weeks, we will definitely hope the UFC honors his needs and permits him to share a card together with his brother.
Prediction: Louis Jourdain (9-3) vs Kris Moutinho (14-7) – UFC Vancouver – October 18th
Christopher “The New child” Alvidrez – 7-1 Welterweight
The one betting underdog of the night to win his combat, Christopher Avidrez confirmed glorious coronary heart and want in his combat, knocking out the unorthodox Eliezer Kubanza within the first spherical. A former soccer participant who turned his life round by MMA, Alvidrez has overcome loads to make it to this second. He relocated to Miami after a brutal automobile accident ended his soccer profession, and absolutely dedicated himself to fight sports activities whereas coaching at The GoatShed.
Alvidrez is the least polished of all of the winners of this episode. His toughness and power aren’t any query, and he utilized excellent elbows within the clinch, he nonetheless has questions that should be answered by way of his total sport. We may see Alvidrez being thrown into a troublesome matchup straight away, however his mentality received’t cease him from taking a problem head on. It also needs to be famous he was seen with a big wrap round his proper knee, so it may very well be a while earlier than we see him make his debut.
Prediction: Christopher Alvidrez (7-1) vs Daniil Donchenko (12-2) – February 2026
Damian “Baba Yaga” Pinas – 8-1 Middleweight
In the primary occasion of the night, Damian Pinas made fast work of his opponent, flatlining Vitor Costa with a brutal proper hand within the first spherical. This contract was lengthy overdue, as Pinas was scheduled to be on episode considered one of this season, however resulting from visa points was not capable of journey for the combat. Fortunately he was rebooked, and now can sit up for being booked within the UFC.
Pinas is a incredible kickboxer with glorious energy in his fingers and toes. He’ll turn out to be the second Surinamese fighter in UFC historical past, following Jair Rozenstruik. Much like Bigi Boy, Baba Yaga has the kickboxing ability and energy to dispatch anybody contained in the cage. Now that the visa points are absolutely cleared, we will hope to see the younger fighter decide up one other combat quickly. At simply 23 years outdated, time is on Pinas’ facet, however it will be advantageous to maintain his momentum going. Between his performances and the distinctive nationwide heritage, I anticipate Pinas to seek out early success within the middleweight division, just like Ateba Gautier who fights this weekend.
Prediction: Damian Pinas (8-1) vs Jackson McVey (6-1) – January 2026
Whereas none of those fights are official nor even rumored, all of them are potential attention-grabbing first matchups for this week’s winners of DWCS. Keep tuned for subsequent week’s version following episode 9 of DWCS.
