Contender Series Format, Fighters, and Betting Venues for Dana White's Competition: Insights and Betting Options
Ready for some adrenaline-fueled action outside the UFC's usual bouts? Then you should tune into Dana White's Contender Series! Originally an experimental venture featuring unknown combatants, it has now become one of the most recognized promotions, offering new fighters their best shot at breaking into the UFC.
Launched in 2017, the show took a brief hiatus due to Covid before making a comeback in 2020 with ESPN taking exclusive broadcast rights. Since then, Dana White's Contender Series has been a must-watch for MMA enthusiasts, running from August to October each year with 10 fights per season.
Where to Watch Dana White's Contender Series
You can catch all the action on ESPN/ESPN+.
How Dana White's Contender Series Works
This fight series showcases 10 episodes annually, all held at the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas. The fighters competing are poached from local and international MMA promotions, many of which function as "feeder leagues" for the UFC. Notable examples of these feeder leagues include the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), Cage Warriors, Titan FC, Cage Fury Fighting Champions (CFFC), King of the Cage, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), Shooto, and Pancrase.
Weight Classes and Contracts
Fights are held across various weight classes, mirroring those used in the UFC. Each season, Dana White has the power to offer UFC contracts to standout performers, giving them an unprecedented opportunity to compete in the UFC. The series prioritizes fighters who demonstrate skill, determination, and a ruthless edge - regardless of their origin or fighting style.
Famous Alumni from DWCS
Sean O'Malley, Kurt Holobaugh, Karl Robertson, and Alex Perez are just a few examples of fighters who've made a name for themselves in the UFC after appearing in DWCS. Multiple alumni have climbed the UFC Rankings, with Sean O'Malley eventually becoming the UFC Bantamweight Champion. More recently, Jamahal Hill, who debuted in 2019, became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2023.
Betting on Dana White's Contender Series
Our expert tipsters are always ready for a challenge, and the Contender Series is no exception. With fighters coming from diverse backgrounds and skill levels, it presents a unique betting opportunity. You can find a variety of betting markets offered by top sportsbooks for each episode, including moneylines, total rounds, and more specialized markets like Method of Victory, Will the Fight Go the Distance, Winning Round, and more. Keep an eye on our previews and updates for the latest information on upcoming fights and episodes.
Not sure when the next episode is? Check the schedule on ESPN for updates. Get ready to witness some exciting battles and potential future champions in the making on Dana White's Contender Series!
Dana White's Contender Series, broadcast exclusively on ESPN/ESPN+, has become a must-watch event for MMA enthusiasts, airing from August to October each year with 10 fights per season at the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas. These fighters are poached from various feeder leagues such as the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), Cage Warriors, Titan FC, Cage Fury Fighting Champions (CFFC), King of the Cage, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), Shooto, and Pancrase.
The series, with fights held across various weight classes, offers UFC contracts to standout performers, providing an unprecedented opportunity to compete in the UFC. In fact, several famous alumni, like Sean O'Malley and Jamahal Hill, have made a name for themselves in the UFC after appearing in DWCS, with O'Malley even becoming the UFC Bantamweight Champion and Hill the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Given the diverse backgrounds and skill levels of the fighters, Dana White's Contender Series also presents a unique betting opportunity for sports-betting enthusiasts, with top sportsbooks offering a variety of markets for each episode, including moneylines, total rounds, and more specialized markets like Method of Victory, Will the Fight Go the Distance, Winning Round, and more.
