Pagliarulo Overcomes Fear, Earns UFC Contract At DWCS

Tom Pagliarulo secured a UFC contract Tuesday night after finishing Ananias Mulumba with ground-and-pound in the closing seconds of their featherweight bout at Dana White's Contender Series 2026 Week 1.

Pagliarulo, now 11-2, rallied in the third round to stop Mulumba and become one of four fighters awarded deals by White. But the 29-year-old Colorado native revealed afterward that fight week had tested him mentally more than any previous camp.

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Pagliarulo Credits Cory Sandhagen For Keeping Him Focused

"This is the most afraid I've ever been in my life, all week," Pagliarulo said in his post-fight interview, as reported by Sherdog. "My coaches and Cory Sandhagen back home kept me locked in. Just reminded me to go be me, and that will always be enough." The featherweight added that his team at home helped him stay dialed in despite the nerves.

Pagliarulo described himself as someone who has always had to grind for opportunities. He said he was never the most talented athlete growing up and fell short of goals in team sports, but his work ethic carried him through. White praised the finish before handing over the contract, telling Pagliarulo he had turned it on when it mattered most.

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Pagliarulo was the second of four fighters to earn deals on the night. Joseph Kropschot opened the card with a middleweight decision win after dislocating Jonathan Kunneman's elbow with an armbar, while flyweight Bilal Hasan dispatched Mridul Saikia in 45 seconds and heavyweight Anthony Wint stopped Matthew Adams in the first round. Pagliarulo's UFC debut opponent and date have not been announced.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Four earn UFC contracts at DWCS 2026 Week 1
• Sherdog — Tom Pagliarulo overcomes fear, earns UFC contract at DWCS 2026 Week 1