Smilla Sundell Decisions Aline Pereira, Earns UFC Deal on DWCS

Former ONE Championship Muay Thai titleholder Smilla Sundell earned an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract on Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas, defeating Aline Pereira by unanimous decision. Sundell (3-0) outstruck Pereira (3-3) over three rounds in their women’s bantamweight bout, sweeping the scorecards with identical marks of 29-28.

From the opening bell, Sundell pressed forward and mixed up her striking arsenal to put Pereira on the defensive. Although Pereira found openings for counter strikes and landed a takedown in the third round, Sundell quickly returned to her feet and maintained relentless forward pressure through the final bell.

The 21-year-old secured her UFC deal despite initial reservations from UFC CEO Dana White regarding her readiness. White originally wanted Sundell to gain additional experience outside the promotion, but matchmaker Mick Maynard persuaded him to sign the prospect. At the postfight press conference, Sundell expressed full confidence in stepping onto the UFC roster despite her limited MMA record.

“I have been fighting since I was 12,” Sundell said. “I know how it is to fight and I know how it is to get hit.”