Gabriel Lourenco earns UFC contract after knockout victory at DWCS

Gabriel Lourenco secured a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship after a first-round knockout victory against Charlie Cleveland at Dana White’s Contender Series on September 1, 2026. The heavyweight contest lasted just over two minutes, ending when Lourenco landed a right hand that dropped Cleveland before finishing the fight with hammer-fists. Lourenco, who holds an 8-1 record, credited his Chute Boxe coach, Luciano Ferreira, for identifying a defensive flaw in Cleveland’s technique. According to Lourenco, the coaching staff noted that Cleveland consistently fought with his chin tucked too high, allowing for a strategic opening for a power strike. This win marked a successful performance for the 26-year-old fighter on Week 4 of the series. The stoppage victory officially transitioned Lourenco from the DWCS roster to a contract with the UFC.

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