The Contender Series is back!
Ahead of UFC 305 in Australia, and with The Ultimate Fighter 32 still to wrap up, season eight of Dana White’s Contender Series arrived on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 with a five-pack of fights featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent in MMA.
That’s not hyperbole for at least one fight. Though not the featured fight of the evening, the flyweight showdown between An Tuan Ho and Lone’er Kavanagh legitimately featured two of the hottest 125lb prospects around, especially given their age. Either (or at some point, both) had the potential to go far in the promotion, which only recently let one of the best prospects in MMA walk in Muhammad Mokaev.
Bruno Lopes, meanwhile, made his return to the Contender Series on Tuesday as part of Week 1 of Season Eight, taking on Mikheil Sazhiniani. An LFA champ, Lopes (or alternately Sazhiniani) was looking to join a 205lb weight class badly in need of fresh blood.
Where to Watch Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 1
As always, the new season of DWCS airs live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on ESPN+ in the U.S., and Sportsnet/Sportsnet+ in Canada. The card will also be carried on UFC Fight Pass. Full results from the event can be found below.
Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 1 Results
Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Wes Schultz by TKO, Round 2, 3:55
Welterweight: Rami Hamed def. Meng Ding by unanimous decision (30-26*, 29-27, 29-27)
Light Heavyweight: Bruno Lopes def. Mikheil Sazhiniani by TKO, Round 2, 4:14
Featherweight: Jose Degaldo def. Ernie Juarez by KO, 2, 1:25
Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh def. An Tuan Ho by KO, Round 1, 2:35
* Score was announced incorrectly as 30-27, as reported by John Morgan
Contract Winners: Lone’er Kavanagh, Jose Degaldo, Bruno Lopes, Mansur Abdul-Malik
