How to Watch DWCS 2023, Week 9

Fighters from Russia, and the Republic of Dagestan in particular, are a familiar sight on Dana White's Contender Series, but this week’s crop of Ultimate Fighting Championship hopefuls features a bit more than the norm.

After Lucas Rocha came in five pounds heavy for his scheduled flyweight clash with Davi Costa at Monday’s weigh-ins, DWCS 2023, Week 9 is left with just four bouts, but those fights feature solid prospects all around, including a potential and much-needed infusion of new talent to the light heavyweight division.

Of particular interest are undefeated light heavyweights Murtaza Talha Ali and Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, who face Rodolfo Bellato and Jose Medina, respectively. Talha Ali and Gadzhiyasulov are both Russians by way of Bahrain, where they are training partners at KHK MMA and standouts in the Brave Combat Federation 205-pound division. Welterweight Raimond Magomedaliev (10-1), who carries a four-fight win streak including victories over UFC veterans Impa Kasanganay and Anthony Njokuani into his matchup with Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy, rounds out the collection of Russian up-and-comers.

DWCS 2023, Week 9 takes place on Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams live to ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

A closer look at the DWCS 2023, Week 9 particulars:

THE LINEUP:

205: Rodolfo Bellato (10-2) vs. Murtaza Talha Ali (6-0)
135: Eduardo Torres (16-1) vs. Victor Hugo Silva (23-4)
205: Jose Medina (11-2) vs. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (7-0)
170: Mauricio Ruffy (8-1) vs. Raimond Magomedaliev (10-1)