Dana White’s Contender Series: Apollo Gomes vs Kwon Won-il Preview & Prediction

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Bantamweights share the cage for the second fight of the night, as Kwon Won-Il returns to the Contender Series to face Apollo Gomes.

Apollo Gomes vs Kwon Won-il facts

What time are Apollo Gomes and Kwon Won-il expected to walk out? 9 September 2026 at 12:30 am

Where is DWCS – Season 10, Week 5 taking place? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA

What TV channel is DWCS – Season 10, Week 5 on? UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised

Where can I stream DWCS – Season 10, Week 5? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

DWCS – Season 10, Week 5 card

Quentin Pasley vs Arlind Berisha (Light Heavyweight)

Reginaldo Geraldo Jr. vs Isaac Moreno (Welterweight)

Martin Kozak vs Christian Echols (Middleweight)

Apollo Gomes vs Kwon Won-il (Bantamweight)

Colton Loud vs Christian Natividad (Flyweight)

Apollo Gomes: Will the Chute Box prospect come up large on the biggest stage of his career?

Currently riding a three fight winning streak, Apollo Gomes (12-2) is the latest Chute Box prospect to earn a shot at UFC contract. He's a well-rounded combatant with decent striking and wrestling, allowing him to mix up the action and adapt smoothly to wherever the fight takes place. The 26 year old Brazilian has also fought in Karate Combat, earning a first round KO to highlight his striking acumen. If there is an Achilles heel for Gomes, it looks to be his submission defence; he's been tapped out in both of his professional losses to date. His strength of schedule isn't the greatest either; he's fought twice in LFA, failing to earn a win on both ocassions. 

Kwon Won-il: "Pretty Boy" gets his second crack at a UFC contract

A veteran of ONE Championship, things didn't go swimmingly for Kwon Won-Il (14-6) in his first Contender Series audition, with "Pretty Bow" getting poleaxed by a hellacious spinning elbow from Juan Diaz in the second round. He's an all action fighter who likes to strike and push a heavy pace, a state of affairs that has earned him twelve wins by KO but has also seen him go out on his shield in five of his six defeats. His activity also gives cause for concern; the South Korean hasn't fought since his loss to Diaz and has only had two bouts since 2024.

Apollo Gomes vs Kwon Won-il prediction

I’m not sure how Kwon has managed to land himself a second shot on the Contender Series here. He hasn’t won a fight in over two years, has fought twice in that stretch of time, and lost both of those bouts by KO, most recently getting highlight reeled by Juan Diaz last October.

By contrast, Gomes has fought five times since Kwon last got his hand raised, going 3-1 with 1 NC and earning two finishes. He’s got the edge in momentum and activity and comes out of a really solid gym in Chute Box. The Brazilian is also arguably more well-rounded than his latest opponent, with nine finishes split virtually even between KOs and submissions, whereas Kwon typically relies on a KO.

In short, I think that if Gomes can avoid the early blitz from “Pretty Boy,” I like his chances to mix the martial arts better across three rounds to get the better of the South Korean. There should be some excellent striking exchanges between the pair, but I believe that it will be well-timed bursts of offensive grappling from Apollo that make the difference and earn him the nod in a scrap.

Prediction: Apollo Gomes to win by decision