Contender Series
15 stories covering Contender Series — news, results and analysis.
Akbar Abdullaev's 19-Second KO Headlines Four DWCS Signings
Dana White called the former ONE fighter the best talent ever to appear on Contender Series after a one-punch finish. Four fighters earned deals; the UFC has now signed 28 this season.
Sep 16, 2026
Quentin Pasley Draws Jon Jones Comparison From Dana White After DWCS KO
Pasley moved to 4-0 with a first-round elbow finish as four fighters earned UFC deals on Week 5 of Contender Series Season 10.
Sep 9, 2026
Aline Pereira Chases Alex's Path With DWCS Shot vs Smilla Sundell
Alex Pereira's older sister meets ONE Championship muay Thai champ Smilla Sundell on Oct. 13 with a UFC contract on the line. Her MMA record: 3-2.
Sep 2, 2026
Bella Mir Breaks Silence After First Loss on Contender Series
The 4-0 prospect and NCAA D-I champ was a heavy favorite before dropping a decision to Alex Apodaca. Her response? She's not going anywhere.
Aug 27, 2026
Dana White Says a Contender Series Grad Made $11M — Kevin Holland Says It's Not Him
White claims a fighter who never fought for a title has banked over $11M. Fans pointed at Holland. Holland pointed right back and said no.
Aug 26, 2026
Alex Apodaca Shocks Bella Mir, Turns Contender Series Long-Shot Into a UFC Deal
Apodaca walked in as the biggest underdog in Contender Series history, then outworked Bella Mir over 15 minutes to bank a unanimous decision and a UFC contract.
Aug 26, 2026
Bella Mir's Undefeated Run Ends in a Contender Series Stunner
The 23-year-old entered as the biggest betting favorite in Contender Series history — then dropped a unanimous decision to Alex Apodaca. Dana White wasn't ready for it.
Aug 26, 2026
Bella Mir's -6000 Favorite Status Backfires in Contender Series Upset
The daughter of ex-UFC champ Frank Mir came in as the biggest betting favorite in Contender Series history — and lost every round to Alex Apodaca.
Aug 26, 2026
Bella Mir Stunned as -4000 Favorite Falls to Alex Apodaca on DWCS
Mir was one of the biggest betting favorites in MMA history at -4000. Alex Apodaca ignored the odds and took the decision 29-28 across the board.
Aug 26, 2026
Bella Mir Wants Four Different World Titles — And Dana White Is Backing It
The 23-year-old NCAA champ headlines Contender Series with a plan to conquer UFC, BJJ, Zuffa Boxing and Olympic gold — and White signed off on all of it.
Aug 24, 2026
Anthony Wint's 11-Day Turnaround: 7-0 Heavyweight Debuts in Sacramento
A 34-second Contender Series finish earned Wint a UFC deal. Eleven days later, the 7-0 ex-linebacker faces Terrance Chatman on Saturday's main card.
Aug 21, 2026
Namo Fazil Says 15 Men Jumped Him Before His Contender Series Loss
Fazil blames a mid-weight-cut hotel ambush for his third-round KO defeat to Kaik Brito — and points a finger at an undefeated UFC middleweight.
Aug 20, 2026
Dana White Hands Out 4 Contracts on Contender Series, Blasts Split-Decision Judging
Two sub-60-second finishes lit up Season 10's opener, but a lightweight split call left the UFC boss fuming about the scorecards.
Aug 12, 2026
Dana White Backs Bella Mir to Chase Four Titles Across Four Sports
The 23-year-old NCAA champ is 4-0 in MMA and fights on the Contender Series on Aug. 25. White says she wants gold in the UFC, Olympics, Zuffa Boxing and UFC BJJ.
Aug 12, 2026
Alexia Thainara's Toughest Test Yet: Amanda Lemos and a Division in Flux
The undefeated-in-the-UFC Brazilian is 3-0 in the Octagon with seven takedowns over her last two wins. Lemos is the first name that jumps off her resume.
Aug 6, 2026