Dana White's Contender Series season 9

Dana White's Contender Series
Season 9
Release
Original networkESPN+
Original releaseAugust 12 (2025-08-12) –
October 14, 2025 (2025-10-14)
Season chronology

Season 9 of Dana White's Contender Series commences in August 2025 and in the US is exclusive to ESPN+, part of ESPN's subscription package.[1]

Week 1 – August 12

Dana White's Contender Series 77
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateAugust 12, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

Murtaza Talha was scheduled to face Damian Pinas in a middleweight bout at the event;[2] however, Pinas withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Baysangur Susurkaev on four days' notice.[3]

Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Ilian Bouafia def. Neemias Santana Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 29–27, 29–27) 3 5:00 [a]
Welterweight Ty Miller def. Jimmy Drago Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Baysangur Susurkaev def. Murtaza Talha KO (front kick to the body) 1 3:04
Featherweight Radley da Silva def. George Mangos Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Middleweight Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Santana was deducted one point in the round 1 due to an illegal headbutt.

[4]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[5]

  • Ty Miller and Baysangur Susurkaev

Week 2 – August 19

Dana White's Contender Series 78
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateAugust 19, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

At the weigh-ins, Louis Lee Scott weighed in at 136.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds over the bantamweight limit and he was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Kaushik Saikumar.[6]

Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Featherweight José Mauro Delano def. Manuel Exposito Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Cameron Rowston def. Brandon Holmes TKO (elbow and punches) 1 2:58
Bantamweight Louis Lee Scott def. Kaushik Saikumar TKO (punches) 3 2:20 [a]
Heavyweight Josh Hokit def. Guilherme Uriel TKO (elbows) 2 1:06
Featherweight Ramiro Jimenez def. Tommy Cuozzi TKO (elbows and punches) 1 2:53
  1. ^ Lee Scott missed weight (136.5 lb).

[7]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[8]

  • Ramiro Jimenez, Josh Hokit, Louis Lee Scott, Cameron Rowston, and José Mauro Delano

Week 3 – August 26

Dana White's Contender Series 79
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateAugust 26, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

Brando Peričić and Elisha Ellison were scheduled to meet at this event in a heavyweight bout, but it was announced during DWCS week 2 event that the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes instead.[9]

Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Ryan Gandra def. Trent Miller TKO (punches) 1 2:51
Featherweight Márcio Barbosa def. Damon Wilson TKO (punches) 1 4:14
Light Heavyweight Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Alik Lorenz TKO (knee to the body and punches) 1 0:30
Lightweight Manoel Sousa def. Cristian Pérez TKO (punches) 3 3:00
Heavyweight Donte Johnson def. Darion Abbey TKO (punches) 1 1:04

[10]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[11]

  • Ryan Gandra, Marcio Barbosa, Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev, Manoel Sousa, and Donte Johnson

Week 4 – September 2

Dana White's Contender Series 80
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateSeptember 2, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Jack Congdon KO (head kick and punch) 1 1:08
Middleweight Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Theo Haig TKO (punches) 1 0:36
Lightweight Mandel Nallo def. Samuel Silva KO (punches) 1 3:29
Flyweight Eduardo Henrique def. An Tuan Ho Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Featherweight Tommy McMillen def. David Mgoyan Decision (majority) (28–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00

[12]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[13]

  • Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, Mandel Nallo, Cezary Oleksiejczuk, and Tommy McMillen

Week 5 – September 9

Dana White's Contender Series 81
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateSeptember 9, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

Guilherme Pat and Anthony Guarascio were scheduled to meet in a heavyweight bout in the main event, but Pat withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Steven Asplund.[14]

Felipe Franco was originally scheduled to face Ivan Gnizditskiy and then Quentin Pasley, with both opponents eventually withdrawing from the contest and were replaced by Freddy Vidal. At the weigh-ins, Vidal weighed in at 210 pounds, 4 pounds over the light heavyweight limit and he was fined 25 percent of his purse, which went to Franco.[15]

Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Steven Asplund def. Anthony Guarascio TKO (punch and elbows) 1 0:16
Featherweight Lerryan Douglas def. Cam Teague KO (punch) 1 0:36
Light Heavyweight Freddy Vidal def. Felipe Franco Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 4:48 [a]
Lightweight Samuel Sanches def. Chasen Blair KO (punches) 1 2:01
Women's Strawweight Caroline Foro def. Shanelle Dyer Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Vidal missed weight (210 lb).

[16]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[17]

  • Caroline Foro, Shanelle Dyer, Samuel Sanches, Lerryan Douglas and Stephen Asplund

Week 6 – September 16

Dana White's Contender Series 82
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateSeptember 16, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Bantamweight Hecher Sosa def. Mackson Lee Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski def. Mahamed Aly KO (punches) 1 0:20
Lightweight Thomas Gantt def. Adam Livingston Submission (guillotine choke) 1 2:47 [a]
Middleweight Paddy McCorry def. Hwang In-su Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Cody Chovancek def. Raphael Uchegbu TKO (punches) 3 0:10
  1. ^ Livingston was deducted one point for repeatedly grabbing the fence.

[18]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[19]

Week 7 – September 23

Dana White's Contender Series 83
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateSeptember 23, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

Jeisla Chaves was scheduled to face Regina Tarin in a Women's Flyweight bout; however, Tarin withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Sofia Montenegro.[20]

Fighting Nerds prospect Icaro Brito was scheduled to Javier Reyes in a Featherweight bout; however, Brito's U.S. visa was denied and he was replaced by Justice Torres.[20]

Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Mantas Kondratavičius def. Đani Barbir TKO (punches) 1 1:06
Featherweight Murtazali Magomedov def. Brahyan Zurcher TKO (punches) 1 1:37
Women's Flyweight Jeisla Chaves def. Sofia Montenegro Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Featherweight Javier Reyes def. Justice Torres TKO (knees and punches) 1 2:32
Light Heavyweight Rafael Tobias def. Jair de Oliveira Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:46

[21]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[22]

  • Mantas Kondratavičius, Murtazali Magomedov, Jeisla Chaves, Sofia Montenegro, Javier Reyes and Rafael Tobias

Week 8 – September 30

Dana White's Contender Series 84
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateSeptember 30, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Damian Pinas def. Vitor Costa TKO (punches) 1 1:46
Bantamweight Louis Jourdain def. Magno Dias Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 0:39
Welterweight Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza TKO (punches) 1 4:44
Featherweight Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck TKO (elbows and punches) 1 1:20
Flyweight Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo Henrique da Silva Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00

[23]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[24]

  • Kurtis Campbell, Christopher Alvidrez, Louis Jourdain and Damian Pinas

Week 9 – October 7

Dana White's Contender Series 85
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateOctober 7, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Magomed Zaynukov def. Lucas Caldas Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Adrián Luna Martinetti def. Mark Vologdin Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Flyweight Imanol Rodriguez def. Roque Conceição Moreira Jr. TKO (punches) 1 2:12
Middleweight Luis Felipe Dias def. Donavon Hedrick Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 4:37
Light Heavyweight Luke Fernandez def. Rafael Pergentino TKO (punches) 1 0:15

[25]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[26]

  • Magomed Zaynukov, Adrián Luna Martinetti, Mark Vologdin, Imanol Rodriguez, Luis Felipe Dias and Luke Fernandez

Week 10 – October 14

Dana White's Contender Series 86
PromotionDana White's Contender Series
DateOctober 14, 2025
VenueUFC Apex
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Fight card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Levi Rodrigues def. Freddy Vidal TKO (knees and punches) 1 3:20
Bantamweight Juan Díaz def. Kwon Won-il KO (spinning back elbow) 2 4:58
Featherweight Marwan Rahiki def. Ananias Mulumba TKO (elbows and punches) 2 2:13
Welterweight Michael Oliveira def. Victor Valenzuela TKO (punches) 2 3:56
Heavyweight Jovan Leka def. Azamat Nuftillaev Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–27, 29–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Wesley Schultz def. Mario Mingaj Submission (kneebar) 1 1:51

[27]

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[28]

  • Levi Rodrigues, Juan Díaz, Marwan Rahiki, Michael Oliveira and Wesley Schultz

References

  1. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (2025-06-29). "Dana White's Contender Series Season 9: First five events scheduled". FIGHTMAG. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  2. ^ Critchfield, Tristan (June 28, 2025). "Full Lineup Announced for Week 1 of Dana White's Contender Series". Sherdog. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  3. ^ Okamoto, Brett (August 14, 2025). "Baisangur Susurkaev lands UFC 319 bout after Contender Series fame". ESPN. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  4. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 1". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  5. ^ Jed Meshew (August 12, 2025). "DWCS Season 9, Week 1 Results: Only two contracts awarded after strange night of fights". mmafighting.com. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Staff, MMA Junkie. "Dana White's Contender Series 78 weigh-in results: One fighter heavy in Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 2". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  8. ^ Meshew, Jed (2025-08-19). "DWCS Season 9, Week 2 Results: Five contracts awarded on night of impressive finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  9. ^ "UFC Signs Croatian Heavyweight Brando "The Balkan Bear" Peričić". CroatianSports.com. 2025-08-20. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  10. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 3". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  11. ^ Staff (2025-08-26). "Dana White's Contender Series 2025 Week 3 – Play-by-Play & Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  12. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 4". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  13. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2025-09-03). "DWCS 2025: Week 4 - Play-by-Play & Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  14. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2025-09-08). "Steven Asplund Gets Emotional Before DWCS Week 5". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  15. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2025-09-08). "DWCS fighter misses weight by 4 pounds for Week 5 event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  16. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 5". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  17. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2025-09-10). "Dana White's Contender Series 2025: Week 5 - Play-by-Play & Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  18. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 6". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  19. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2025-09-17). "Dana White's Contender Series 2025: Week 6 - Play-by-Play & Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  20. ^ a b Tapology Staff (2025-09-21). "Dana White's Contender Series 2025: Week 7". Tapology. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  21. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 7". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  22. ^ Wells, Matthew. "Dana White's Contender Series 83 results: Five winners, one loser earn UFC contracts". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  23. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 8". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  24. ^ Law, Eddie (2025-09-30). "DWCS 2025: Week 8 - Play-by-Play & Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 9". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  26. ^ Wells, Matthew. "Dana White's Contender Series 85 results: Five winners, one loser earn UFC contracts". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  27. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2025: Week 10". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
  28. ^ Erickson, Matt. "Dana White's Contender Series 86: 5 UFC deals, historic highlight-reel finishes in finale". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
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