Dana White's Contender Series season 7

Season 7 of Dana White's Contender Series commences in August 2023 and in the US is exclusive to ESPN+, ESPN's new over-the-top subscription package.[1]

Dana White's Contender Series
Season 7
Release
Original networkESPN+
Original releaseAugust 8 (2023-August-08) –
October 10, 2023 (2023-October-10)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 6
Next →
Season 8

Week 1 – August 8

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Background

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Joshua Van was expected to face Kevin Borjas in a flyweight bout at the event, but he was pulled in order to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria.[2] He was replaced by Rickson Zenidim.[3] However, Zenidim had visa issues and was replaced by Victor Dias.

Dana White's Contender Series 57
PromotionDWCS
DateAugust 8, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight César Almeida def. Lucas Fernando Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Lightweight Tom Nolan def. Bogdan Grad KO (punches) 1 1:23
Heavyweight Caio Machado def. Kevin Szaflarski Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Payton Talbott def. Reyes Cortez Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Flyweight Kevin Borjas def. Victor Dias Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00

[4]

Contract awards

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The following fighters (all winners of the night) were awarded contracts with the UFC:[5]

Week 2 – August 15

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Dana White's Contender Series 58
PromotionDWCS
DateAugust 15, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady def. George Hardwick Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Ibo Aslan def. Paulo Renato Jr. TKO (punches) 1 2:22
Featherweight Hyder Amil def. Emrah Sonmez Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00 [a]
Women's Strawweight Eduarda Moura def. Janaína Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 4:00
Bantamweight Charalampos Grigoriou def. Cameron Smotherman TKO (punches) 1 1:00
  1. ^ Sonmez missed weight (147 lbs)

[6]

Contract awards

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The following fighters (all winners of the night) were awarded contracts with the UFC:[7]

  • Charalampos Grigoriou, Eduarda Moura, Hyder Amil, Ibo Aslan, and Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady

Week 3 – August 22

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Background

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Edgar Chairez was expected to face Felipe dos Santos in a flyweight bout at the event, but he was pulled in order to face Tatsuro Taira at UFC 290.[8] He was briefly replaced by Luciano Pereira. At the weigh-ins, Pereira did not step onto the scale due to a medical issue and the bout was scrapped entirely.[9]

Dana White's Contender Series 59
PromotionDWCS
DateAugust 22, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Zachary Reese def. Eli Aronov Submission (armbar) 1 1:14
Welterweight Oban Elliott def. Kaik Brito Decision (majority) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Josefine Lindgren Knutsson def. Isis Verbeek Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Featherweight Luis Pajuelo def. Robbie Ring TKO (knee to the body and punches) 1 3:43

[10]

Contract awards

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

  • Luis Pajuelo, Oban Elliott, and Zachary Reese

Week 4 – August 29

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Background

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Val Woodburn was expected to face Marco Tulio Silva in a middleweight bout at the event, but he was pulled in order to face Bo Nickal at UFC 290.[12] He was replaced by Yousri Belgaroui.[13]

Dana White's Contender Series 60
PromotionDWCS
DateAugust 29, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Carlos Prates def. Mitch Ramirez TKO (punch) 2 1:14
Middleweight Marco Tulio Silva def. Yousri Belgaroui Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Featherweight Timothy Cuamba def. Mateo Vogel Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Thomas Petersen def. Chandler Cole Submission (keylock) 2 1:08
Lightweight Bolaji Oki def. Dylan Salvador TKO (punches) 1 2:46

[14]

Contract awards

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The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:[15]

  • Bolaji Oki, Thomas Petersen, and Carlos Prates

Week 5 – September 5

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Background

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Corinne Laframboise was expected to face Rainn Guerrero in a women's flyweight bout at the event, but she was pulled after discovering she was pregnant during pre-fight medical screenings. She was replaced by Dione Barbosa.[16] Cam Rowston was expected to face Chad Hanekom in a middleweight bout but was replaced by Dylan Budka for unknown reasons.[citation needed]

Dana White's Contender Series 61
PromotionDWCS
DateSeptember 5, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Brendson Ribeiro def. Bruno Lopes KO (punches) 1 3:47
Bantamweight Serhiy Sidey def. Ramon Taveras TKO (punches) 1 2:26
Middleweight Dylan Budka def. Chad Hanekom Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Featherweight Jean Silva def. Kevin Vallejos Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Women's Flyweight Dione Barbosa def. Rainn Guerrero Submission (armbar) 1 4:35

[17]

Contract awards

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The following fighters (all winners of the night) were awarded contracts with the UFC:[18]

  • Dione Barbosa, Jean Silva, Dylan Budka, Serhiy Sidey, and Brendson Ribeiro

Week 6 – September 12

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Dana White's Contender Series 62
PromotionDWCS
DateSeptember 12, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight James Llontop def. Malik Lewis Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Jhonata Diniz def. Eduardo Neves TKO (punches) 1 3:15
Featherweight Steven Nguyen def. A.J. Cunningham TKO (punches) 2 4:06
Women's Strawweight Julia Polastri def. Patricia Alujas Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 4:05
Bantamweight Jean Matsumoto def. Kasey Tanner Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00

[19]

Contract awards

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The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:

Week 7 – September 19

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Dana White's Contender Series 63
PromotionDWCS
DateSeptember 19, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Shamil Gaziev def. Greg Velasco Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:38
Lightweight Daniel James Allen def. JaCobi Jones Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Talita Alencar vs. Stephanie Luciano Draw (unanimous) 3 5:00
Welterweight Kaynan Kruschewsky def. Dylan Mantello Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:52
Flyweight Igor da Silva def. Jhonata Silva TKO (punches) 2 2:37

[21]

Contract awards

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The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:

  • Igor da Silva, Kaynan Kruschewsky, Stephanie Luciano, and Shamil Gaziev[22]

Week 8 – September 26

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Dana White's Contender Series 64
PromotionDWCS
DateSeptember 26, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Danny Barlow def. Raheam Forest TKO (punches) 1 1:19
Heavyweight Mario Piazzon def. Alexander Soldatkin DQ (illegal knee) 3 0:20
Featherweight Danny Silva def. Angel Pacheco Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Women's Flyweight Ernesta Kareckaitė def. Carli Judice Decision (split) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Vinicius Oliveira def. Victor Hugo Madrigal KO (punch) 1 3:02

[23]

Contract awards

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

  • Vinicius de Oliveira, Ernesta Kareckaitė, Carli Judice, Danny Silva, Angel Pacheco, and Danny Barlow

Week 9 – October 3

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Dana White's Contender Series 65
PromotionDWCS
DateOctober 3, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States

Background

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Lucas Rocha and Davi Bittencourt were scheduled to fight on this card in a flyweight bout. However, Rocha missed weight by five pounds and the bout was cancelled. The bout was rebooked for the following week.

Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato def. Murtaza Talha TKO (punches) 2 4:46
Bantamweight Victor Hugo Silva def. Eduardo Matias Torres Submission (kneebar) 2 2:16
Light Heavyweight Magomed Gadzhiyasulov def. José Daniel Medina Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Welterweight Maurício Ruffy def. Raimond Magomedaliev TKO (punches) 3 4:45

[25]

Contract awards

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

  • Maurício Ruffy, Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, José Daniel Medina, Victor Hugo Silva, and Rodolfo Bellato

Week 10 – October 10

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Dana White's Contender Series 66
PromotionDWCS
DateOctober 10, 2023
VenueUFC Apex Centre
CityLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Bantamweight Ramon Taveras def. Cortavious Romious KO (punch) 1 0:29
Flyweight André Lima def. Rickson Thai Zenidim Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Featherweight Connor Matthews def. Jair Farias Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Middleweight Torrez Finney def. Yuri Panferov Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:43
Lightweight MarQuel Mederos def. Issa Isakov KO (knee) 1 4:09
Flyweight Lucas Rocha def. Davi Bittencourt KO (knee) 2 0:18

[27]

Contract awards

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

  • Lucas Rocha, MarQuel Mederos, Connor Matthews, André Lima, and Ramon Taveras

References

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  1. ^ "Dana White's Contender Series, Season 7 roster filling up for summer 2023 launch". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2023-06-15). "Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Felipe Bunes off UFC Vegas 75, Zhumagulov to fight Joshua Van at UFC Jacksonville". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  3. ^ Staff (2023-06-19). "MMA fighter from Ponta Grossa represents Brazil in the UFC, in the United States". dpontanews.com.br. Retrieved 2023-06-19.(in Brazilian Portuguese)
  4. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 1". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  5. ^ "Dana White's Contender Series 57 results: All winners get contracts, including 35-year-old kickboxing standout". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  6. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 2". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  7. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2023-08-15). "DWCS Season 7, Week 2 results: Another 5-contract night with 3 quick finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  8. ^ Nolan King (2023-06-27). "Tatsuro Taira quickly rebooked for UFC 290 after recent last-minute cancellation". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  9. ^ Damon Martin (2023-08-21). "Dana White's Contender Series Week 3 down to 4 fights after one bout scrapped at weigh-ins". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  10. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 3". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  11. ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (2023-08-22). "DWCS Season 7, Week 3 results: Zach Reese's 74-second armbar headlines 3-contract night". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  12. ^ Nolan King (2023-07-04). "Bo Nickal gets newcomer Val Woodburn at UFC 290 as late replacement". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  13. ^ Nolan King (2023-07-13). "Yousri Belgaroui, common kickboxing foe of Adesanya and Pereira, heads to Dana White's Contender Series". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  14. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 4". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  15. ^ Staff (2023-08-29). "Dana White's Contender Series Season 7, Week 4 Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  16. ^ Dan Hiergesell (2023-09-02). "'Surprise, surprise!' Contender Series hopeful hastily removed from Dana White's show after test reveals she's three months pregnant". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  17. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 5". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  18. ^ Nolan King and Ken Hathaway (2023-09-05). "Dana White's Contender Series 61 results: Dana White gives loser second shot after 'one of the worst ref stoppages'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  19. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 6". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  20. ^ "Dana White's Contender Series 62 results: Five UFC contracts awarded on all-time episode". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  21. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 7". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  22. ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (2023-09-19). "DWCS Season 7, Week 7 results: Unbeaten Dagestani heavyweight Shamil Gaziev headlines 4-contract night". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  23. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 8". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  24. ^ Staff (2023-09-26). "Dana White's Contender Series Season 7, Week 8 Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 9". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  26. ^ Staff (2023-10-03). "Dana White's Contender Series Season 7, Week 9 Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  27. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White's Contender Series - Contender Series 2023: Week 10". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  28. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2023-10-10). "DWCS Season 7, Week 10 results: 5 win contracts, record 46 win UFC deals at season's end". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-10-11.