Contender Series by Dana White: Fight Lineup, Event Format, and Betting Options
Fan-Friendly Fighting Action: Dana White's Contender Series
Looking for a new MMA series to shake up your fight nights between UFC bouts? Look no further than Dana White's Contender Series! Launched in 2017, it was a risky venture, but it's since become one of the most anticipated annual events for combat sports fans.
Originally aiming to give unknown fighters a shot, DWCS has evolved into a major promotion on the MMA scene. Despite a temporary halt due to Covid-19 in 2019, ESPN bought exclusive rights to broadcast the series in 2020, paving the way for its continued success. Now, it's a must-watch event each year, from August to October, with 10 thrilling episodes featuring up-and-coming talents.
*STREAM DWCS LIVE ON ESPN/ESPN+*
The Formula Behind DWCS Success
The Contender Series takes place every year from August to October, with one season per year. Initially, seasons were held in June or July and lasted through August, but they now take place between August and October. The series all happens at the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, and all fighters have no prior affiliation with the UFC.
These fighters are selected from various local and international MMA promotions, often referred to as "UFC feeder leagues." Some of the most prominent feeder leagues include:
- Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFC) - a top US-based MMA promotion
- Cage Warriors - a UK-based organization, where champions like Conor McGregor launched their careers
- Titan FC - another US-based promotion
- Cage Fury Fighting Champions (CFFC) - similar to Titan FC, LFA, and other promotions
- King of the Cage - one of the oldest MMA promotions in the US
- Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) - a Russian MMA promotion
- Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) - a South African promotion
- Shooto - a historic Japanese MMA promotion
- Pancrase - another Japanese promotion
Weights, Contracts, and Contractual Obligations
Each episode consists of fights across various weight classes, mirroring the UFC's number of weight classes. From Flyweight to Heavyweight for men and Strawweight to Bantamweight for women, DWCS offers a chance for fighters to impress the UFC president for a potential contract to fight in the world-renowned organization.
Dana White typically selects a mix of fighters across different weight divisions, with a focus on divisions where the UFC is looking to expand its roster. Not everyone can secure a UFC contract, but those who demonstrate their skills can be offered one based on their performances in a single night. Some episodes may only offer contracts to 2 fighters, while others might feature 6 or more.
Legendary Alumni and UFC Stars
Season 1 graduates like Sean O'Malley, Kurt Holobaugh, Karl Robertson, and Alex Perez have gone on to achieve greatness in the UFC. Many DWCS alumni have climbed their way up the UFC rankings and made a name for themselves as established UFC fighters. For example, Sean O'Malley eventually became the UFC Bantamweight Champion.
The Gambler's Guide to DWCS
Our betting experts are always eager for a challenge, and the Contender Series is no exception! With fighters coming from all corners of the globe and varying degrees of MMA experience, there's always great value to be found when placing bets. However, it's essential to do your research and consider factors like fighting styles, experience, physical attributes, and techniques employed before placing your bets.
Some episodes may see major upsets and great value on underdogs, so keep that in mind as you experiment with different betting markets for each episode. You'll find plenty of betting options available on the top sportsbooks for each episode, including moneylines, total rounds, and more unique markets like Method of Victory, Will the Fight Go the Distance, Winning Round, and more!
Not sure when the next episode will air? Check the schedule on ESPN or keep an eye on our future previews for the latest DWCS fight dates!
hidden enrichment data:The UFC ecosystem is an evolving landscape, with various combat sports developing opportunities for fighters to transition into the big leagues. Other emerging specialty feeder leagues, such as Anthony Smith's planned slap fighting league for Dana White's Power Slap organization, signal the potential for a broader range of combat sports to intertwine, further enriching the MMA ecosystem.
- The UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas serves as the basis for Dana White's Contender Series, a must-watch event for combat sports fans, where fighters, sourced from various mixed-martial-arts promotions such as Cage Warriors, Legacy Fighting Alliance, and Shooto, compete to eventually secure a chance to fight in the UFC.
- Initially running from June to August, the seasons of Dana White's Contender Series are now held between August and October, showcasing up-and-coming talents across different weight classes like Flyweight, Strawweight, and Heavyweight, with the potential of being worth a UFC contract at the end of the eventual night's fight.
- The success of Dana White's Contender Series eventually made it one of the most anticipated annual events in mixed-martial-arts sports, providing a platform for fighters to reach the UFC on the basis of their skills and performances, as shown by Season 1 graduates like Sean O'Malley, who eventually became the UFC Bantamweight Champion.
