Dana White’s Contender Series began back in 2017. Since then, the Contender Series has produced some big-name upcoming stars like Dan Ige, Sean O’Malley, Geoff Neal, Maycee Barber, and Edmen Shahbazyan. In short, it has been a huge success for finding talent.
A Contender Series fight is one that has stakes like none other, where fighters must showcase their skills to impress the UFC president enough for a contract with the promotional giant. Holding the Contender Series with a smaller cage inside the UFC Apex venue makes for a tense atmosphere, and with only close friends and family of the competing fighters in attendance as spectators. Emotions always run high, as a limited number of contracts can be given out on any given night, and many fighters can potentially have their dreams snubbed out solely because of bad luck.
In rare cases, however, a fighter gets a second look. This series will examine those.
Ahmad Suhail “Lion of the Ring” Hassanzada
Age: 28 years old
Height: 6’1″ / Reach: 74″
Weight Class: Lightweight (155lbs.)
First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2022 (Week 4)
Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Nazim Sadykhov (9-1-1 MMA)
Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2024 (Week 6)
New Opponent: Dyan Mantello (8-3 MMA)
First Contender Series Fight
Ahmad Suhail Hassanzada first competed on the Contender Series a little over two years ago.
In order to get the Contender Series, Hassanzada rattled off nine wins in ten fights. Ahmad competed against mostly inexperienced competition on Afghanistan’s regional scene. Hassanzada made his US debut when he fought in the co-main event slot on LFA 124 in February of 2022. That unanimous decision victory over 4-0 foe, James Wilson, would land Ahmad a spot on the 2022 season of CS.
First Contender Series Opponent
Ahmad Hassanzada was finished by Nazim Sadykhov nearly two minutes into the final round of his DWCS bout. Obviously, the third round KO impressed UFC President Dana White, and Nazim would receive a UFC contract.
In the little over two years’ time since being signed with the UFC, Sadykhov has gone 2-0-1. Sadykhov has tried to be very active and even has had two fights cancelled this calendar year.
Nazim made his UFC debut in February of 2023 securing a third round TKO over then 7-1 opponent, Evan Elder, by way of doctor stoppage. The scrap won Sadykhov fight of the night honors.
In his sophomore UFC performance, Nazim took on a fan favorite in then, 13-5, Terrance McKinney. Sadykhov secured a rear naked choke sub in the second round of that very entertaining scrap.
And in his most recent fight, back in February of 2023, Sadykhov took part in another fight of the night. This time it was against then 7-3, Viacheslav Borshcehev who he fought to a majority draw.
All in all, it not hard to say that this is a loss that has aged very well for Ahmad, as Nazim has definitely proven himself as a UFC caliber fighter.
The Road Back
In the time since Hassanzada’s first appearance on the Contender Series he has competed three times.
In February of 2023 Ahmad lost a unanimous decision to then 8-5 fighter, Josh Streacker, on LFA 153.
For his next fight, Hassanzada would elect to fight under the Cage Warriors banner taking on then 3-1 fighter, Chasen Blair at the end of last year. Ahmad secured a kneebar late in round one to get back into the win column.
And in his most recent fight, Hassanzada stopped Aleko Sagliani via ground n’ pound in the third round of their bout back in March. The bout was the main event of Tuff-N-Uff 136 and Aleko entered the bout with an impressive 10-5 record.
Gameplan/ New Opponent
For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Ahmad Suhail Hassanzada will be taking on Dylan Mantello. Dylan is on a redemption path of his own as he also was on the Contender Series last year.
Mantello is coached by Ray Longo and won his last bout by flying knee in order to punch his ticket to return to the Contender Series. The two fighters match up well as Hassanzada will have a one-inch reach advantage and give up a couple inches in height.
