Best Contender Series Fighters, Ranked

Contender Sequence is again!

Season 8 kicks off later TONIGHT (Tues., Aug. 13, 2024) from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it’s loaded with prime combined martial arts (MMA) expertise. Freak athlete, Mansur Abdul-Malik, takes on fellow finisher, Wesley Schultz, in the primary occasion. In the meantime, within the first combat of the evening, viral knockout artist, An Ho, fights prime Flyweight prospect, Lone’er Kavanagh.

Earlier than the following crop of Final Preventing Champion (UFC) fighters get their contracts, MMAmania.com will spotlight the perfect fighter from every of the earlier seven seasons.

Annnnnd right here we go!

Sean O’Malley

Season One (Jul. 11 – Aug. 29, 2017)

This season is an absolute no-brainer: Sean O’Malley. There may be an argument that he’s the most important and greatest fighter to return off the present, and it seems like UFC CEO, Dana White, has been on the lookout for his subsequent O’Malley ever since.

O’Malley knocked out Alfred Khashakyan within the first spherical and yelled, “Welcome To The Sugar Present,” which had everybody turning their heads. Oh, and Snoop Canine misplaced his thoughts over the knockout.

O’Malley finally captured UFC’s Bantamweight crown with a knockout over Aljamain Sterling (watch highlights) and has defended it as soon as towards his rival, Marlon Vera. O’Malley boasts 8.4 million followers throughout all social media — eighth most of all fighters on UFC’s roster.

Honorable mentions: Alex Perez, Dan Ige (Ige wasn’t awarded a contract on the present, however fought on quick discover at UFC 220).

Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series: Holland v Santiago

Kevin Holland

Season Two (Jun. 12 – Aug. 7, 2018)

Season two of Contender Sequence had a ton of nice choices. From Maycee Barber to Anthony Hernandez to Sodiq Yusuff to Jalin Turner. Nevertheless, I believe Kevin Holland — who wasn’t even awarded a contract on the present as a result of he pissed off White (shocker) — is the perfect fighter to return out of season two. Holland finally made his Octagon debut towards Thiago Santos on quick discover up a weight class … and misplaced. He rattled off three wins shortly thereafter earlier than shedding a second time to Brendan Allen.

However, it was in 2020 that he actually made an affect.

Throughout UFC’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period — the place each single combat was held inside UFC Apex (or Combat Island), Holland competed 5 occasions and received all of them, capping off an amazing 12 months by knocking out Jacare Souza (see it).

His massive 2020 would get him two back-to-back principal occasions in 2021, each of which he misplaced, however he grew to become a fan favourite due to his perspective of combating anybody, anyplace, in any weight class.

Honorable mentions: Barber, Chris Curtis

Dana White’s Contender Series: Hill v Poppeck

Jamahal Hill

Season Three (Jun. 18 – Aug. 20, 2019)

The primary Contender Sequence fighter to carry UFC gold got here in season three, week 5: Jamahal Hill. Hill’s first three UFC fights have been fairly forgettable, that was, till Paul Craig dislocated “Sweat Goals” elbow, handing Hill his first skilled loss (see it). After that, Hill knocked out extremely touted prospect, Jimmy Crute, which scored him his first UFC principal occasion towards Johnny Walker (Hill scored a meme knockout).

Hill received one other principal occasion towards former Mild Heavyweight title challenger, Thiago Santos, after which had the perfect timing ever as a result of he stepped proper right into a vacant title shot towards Glover Teixeira.

“Sweat Goals” received a dominant unanimous resolution to perform his aim. He was by no means be capable to defend his title, although, tearing his Achilles and vacating the belt.

Hill will likely be a staple of the Mild Heavyweight division for so long as he fights.

Honorable mentions: Brendan Loughnane, Brendan Allen

Dana White’s Contender Series - Hill v Kasanganay

Impa Kasanganay

Season 4 (Aug. 4. – Sept. 1, 2020)

Season 4 of Contender Sequence came about throughout the international pandemic, which devastated the regional combined martial arts (MMA) scene.

The most effective fighter to return off of season 4 is Impa Kasanganay … and I am going to clarify the explanation(s). Kasanganay didn’t have the perfect UFC run, going 2-2 and received virally knocked out by Joaquin Buckley (it was so good). Nevertheless, Kasangnay had a improbable profession outdoors UFC with Skilled Fighters League (PFL).

Certainly, in 2023 “Tshilobo” fought his approach into PFL by competing on its Challengers present. He went on to win the Mild Heavyweight championship and a $1 million payday and is on his approach to repeat as defending champion.

Oh, and a enjoyable reality: Kasaganay competed in season three, however did not nab a contract.

Honorable mentions: Adrian Yanez, Carlos Ulberg

Dana White’s Contender Series - Loosa v Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena

Season 5 (Aug. 31. – Nov. 2, 2020)

Season 5 of Contenders Sequence was by far the toughest 10 weeks to select a transparent winner; the truth is, I’ve modified my thoughts a number of occasions. On the finish of the day, Jack Della Maddalena is the perfect fighter from the fifth season.

“JDM” is undefeated contained in the Octagon, holding an ideal (7-0) report with the promotion. He has raked in 5 “Efficiency of the Evening” bonuses and has the perfect win of anybody from season 5: he stopped former Welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns (with a damaged arm).

Della Maddalena is at present ranked No. 5 in UFC’s Welterweight Prime 15 and has positioned himself ready the place he’s one or two fights away from a title shot.

Honorable mentions: Diego Lopes, Caio Borralho

Dana White’s Contender Series Season 6 Week 10

Bo Nickal

Season Six (Jul. 26. – Sept. 27, 2021)

Bo Nickal has solely three UFC fights and is ideal (6-0) as an expert; nevertheless, his potential has him as the perfect combat to some off the sixth season of Contender Sequence.

Nickal is a three-time NCAA Division I nationwide wrestling champion, making him the most effective school wrestlers to compete in MMA. The scary factor is he hasn’t actually used his wrestling in any respect so far in his profession.

He’s knocking individuals out.

We have now but to see him combat a Prime 15-seeded Middleweight, however it is not like he’s turning them down, both. Certainly, Nickal is getting Dana White and Co.’s gradual construct.

Honorable mentions: Raul Rosas Jr., Joe Pyfer

Dana White’s Contender Series – Silva v Vallejos

Jean Silva

Season Seven (Aug. 8. – Oct. 10, 2023)

One 12 months is unquestionably difficult to gauge somebody; nevertheless, Jean Silva has made a big effect already and has had nice wins. “Lord” made a press release in his UFC debut, stopping Westin Wilson within the first spherical (watch it); nevertheless, his subsequent two fights put him on everybody’s radar.

He knocked out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 throughout “Worldwide Combat Week” after which rotated and completed the always-durable, Drew Dober, at UFC Denver whereas he was up a weight class.

Time will inform how good Silva actually is, however as of now, he’s the perfect combat from season seven.