TLDR
- Mateus Soares earned a UFC contract with a 63-second TKO victory over Ryuho Miyaguchi at DWCS Week 9
- The 22-year-old Brazilian dropped his opponent with a right hand before finishing with follow-up strikes
- Soares improved his record to 12-2 with his 10th career knockout victory
- The fighter became emotional post-fight, saying he had dreamed of this moment since age seven
- Soares will now join the UFC’s bantamweight division at 135 pounds
Sources: sherdog.com | sports.yahoo.com | centraloregondaily.com
Mateus Soares earned a UFC contract Tuesday night after stopping Ryuho Miyaguchi in just over a minute at Dana White’s Contender Series. The 22-year-old Brazilian fighter finished his opponent at 1:03 of the first round at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Soares dropped Miyaguchi with a powerful right hand early in the bantamweight bout. He followed up with several additional punches before the referee stopped the fight.
MATEUS SOARES KNOCKS OUT RYUHO MIYAGUCHI
WOW 😳 #DWCSpic.twitter.com/ZZ1I9W7zQV
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 6, 2026
The victory improved Soares’ professional record to 12-2, with 10 of those wins coming by knockout. Miyaguchi fell to 7-2 with the loss.
Emotional Post-Fight Reaction
Soares became visibly emotional during his post-fight interview with Laura Sanko. Speaking through an interpreter, the young fighter expressed disbelief at achieving his lifelong goal.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” Soares said. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was seven years old.”
The Brazilian fighter competed on Week 9 of DWCS Season 10. His performance impressed Dana White and UFC matchmakers enough to award him a contract with the promotion.
When asked about White’s praise for his finish, Soares described the experience as surreal. “It felt like a dream coming true,” he said.
Ready for the Big Stage
Soares expressed confidence in his abilities and readiness to compete at the highest level. “I came here to fight the best because I believe I am the best,” he told reporters.
The knockout marked Soares’ 10th career victory by knockout out of his 12 total wins. His quick finish showcased the power that has defined much of his fighting career.
Dana White’s Contender Series serves as a platform for aspiring fighters to earn UFC contracts. Competitors face off in front of White and other UFC officials, with standout performances earning roster spots.
Soares joined other fighters awarded contracts during Week 9 of the 2026 season. The Brazilian will now move up to the UFC’s bantamweight division at 135 pounds.
The young fighter spoke with MMA Junkie and other reporters following his victory. He discussed his journey to the UFC and his hopes for competing against top-level opponents in the promotion.
Soares’ quick knockout came in an explosive but brief bantamweight matchup. The Brazilian’s performance demonstrated both his striking power and his ability to finish fights quickly.
The fighter’s emotional reaction highlighted the personal importance of earning a UFC contract. His post-fight interview revealed he had been working toward this goal since childhood.
Soares will now prepare for his official UFC debut as part of the bantamweight roster. His first opponent and fight date have not yet been announced by the promotion.
