Dana White’s Contender Series: Ivan Gnizditskiy vs Nell Ariano Preview & Prediction

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Preston LaGrange fills in for Ivan Gnizditskiy on less than a week's notice, taking on Cage Warriors standout, Nell Ariano at 205 pounds.

Ivan Gnizditskiy vs Nell Ariano facts

What time are Ivan Gnizditskiy and Nell Ariano expected to walk out? 7 October 2026 at 1:30 am

Where is DWCS – Season 10, Week 9 taking place? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA

What TV channel is DWCS – Season 10, Week 9 on? UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised

Where can I stream DWCS – Season 10, Week 9? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

DWCS – Season 10, Week 9 card

Alivia Bierley vs Summer Onley (Women's Bantamweight)

Salhahuddin Everett vs Ozzy Martin (Welterweight)

Roque Conceicao Moreira Jr. vs Alexander Chavez (Flyweight)

Ryuho Miyaguchi vs Matheus Soares (Bantamweight)

Ivan Gnizditskiy vs Nell Ariano (Light Heavyweight)

Preston LaGrange: "One Shot" steps in for Ivan Gnizditskiy on short notice

Called in for Ivan Gnizditskiy at the eleventh hour, Preston LaGrange (6-1) steps up in weight on short notice in the hopes of earning a UFC contract. An aggressive grappling threat with a 100% finishing rate, LaGrange has bounced between various American regional promotions throughout his career, earning a title on Caged Aggression in the process. He was originally scheduled to fight on LFA in late October, meaning that he won't be completely out of shape for this matchup, but likely faces a significant physicality disadvantage, having fought the entirety of his career down a weight class at 185 pounds.

Nell Ariano: The French prospect looks to continue his unbeaten run

Perfect across six professional fights, Nell Ariano (6-0) has fought the entirety of his career in Cage Warriors, putting together an undefeated record with four stoppages. A life long judoka who represented the French national team for many years, Ariano transitioned to MMA in the wake of the pandemic, putting together a solid amateur career before entering the pro ranks. The Frenchman is a well-rounded threat with excellent takedowns and spiteful GNP, boasting powerful striking to complement his grappling base. 

Preston LaGrange vs Nell Ariano prediction

On paper, this looks like a bit of a squash match.

Ariano is an enormous light heavyweight, standing all of 6’4” with the frame to match. He’s used to to facing big, heavy hitting fighters who are natural 205 pounders; case in point, the Frenchman has a stoppage win over the 6’8” Charles Joyner, who recently made his heavyweight debut. LaGrange has the height for the weight class, but is a natural middleweight who could well be at a considerable disadvantage in terms of strength and physicality.

Cage Warriors fighters have had mixed success on the Contender Series in recent years, but I put more stock in Ariano’s strength of schedule than LaGrange’s wins in various American regional promotions. He looked good in his most recent outing in LFA, but he’s also been having a lot of success recently in the grappling department, an area of the fight where a lifelong judoka like Ariano looks to have the edge. Throw in the fact that he’s taking this one on short notice up a weight class and things don’t look good.

LaGrange could well prove me wrong, but it’s hard to escape the sensation that he’s being fed to the wolves here. I think Ariano takes a round to settle in as he usually does, before finding a finish somewhere in the second frame.

Prediction: Nell Ariano to win by stoppage