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.

Trent Miller (9-3 MMA)

Age: 30 years old

Height: 5’9″ / Reach: 72″

Weight Class: Middleweight (185lbs.)

First DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2025 (Week 3)

Old DW’s Contender Series Opponent: Ryan Gandra (10-1 MMA)

Second DW’s Contender Series Fight: 2026 (Week 2)

New Opponent: Douglas Rodrigues (6-1 MMA)

First Contender Series Fight

Trent Miller began his pro MMA career in 2022. His first five bouts were all first round finishes. Miller was finished in the first round in his first loss opposite of a then 10-7 Mike Jones in 2024. Miller successfully logged another first round finish before suffering his second loss via second round submission. Trent then logged his first decision a split decision victory before stopping a 7-9 fighter in the third round under the Tuff-N-Uff banner.

Miller received a short notice DWCS opportunity after his opponent’s original matchup experienced visa issues. Trent stepped up and filled in on short notice, coming in as a heavy underdog as a result.

In the bout, Miller held his own for the first couple minutes of the fight, before he was overwhelmed and finished with punches.

First Contender Series Opponent

In his first Contender Series fight, Trent Miller took on Ryan Gandra. Ryan entered that bout with a pro record of 7-1. Obviously, Ryan earned a UFC contract for his violent finish of Miller.

Gandra waited a little over six months until competing in his promotional debut. Ryan drew a 11-6 Jose Medina (a 2023 Contender Series alum) and smoked him in just over 40 seconds. Medina fell to 0-4 with the UFC and has since been released.

For his next bout, Gandra was matched up against 10-3, Zach Reese, on the undercard of the massive UFC 329 card. Reese is a 2023 Contender Series alum who was 4-3, 1 NC with the UFC. Gandra took full advantage of being on a McGregor card, stopping Zach Reese in just over a minute with his vicious punching power.

So, two fights, two first-round finishes for Gandra thus far with the promotion. Gandra has his third UFC fight booked for another numbered card, this time taking on 10-4, Ozzy Diaz. Ozzy is a 2022 Contender Series alum who had the misfortune of facing Joe Pyfer (current #4 ranked middleweight). Since being signed in 2024, Ozzy is 1-2 with the UFC. It’s also worth mentioning one of those losses was a short notice debut a weight class up against Mingyang Zhang.

Trent’s loss to Ryan Gandra has aged wonderfully, hence why he is getting another shot.

The Road Back

Since losing on August 26 last year, Trent has had one fight. On January 10, Trent took on Tyler Smith who entered the fight at 3-3.

Tyler has had taken on some pretty notable opponents in his short pro career. Including a pro MMA debut victory opposite of Cody Vidal who is absolutely tearing it up over in BKFC right now. Tyler’s second pro fight was actually against a 3-0 Dominick Reyes who was hell-bent for the UFC.

Smith lasted until the second round until he was melted by Tyler in what was the main event that night.

Gameplan/New Opponent

For his shot at redemption on the Contender Series, Trent will be taking on Douglas Rodrigues. Douglas is 6-1 as a pro but has taken on some decent opponents. His toughest fight was his most recent as he took on Gabriel Ramos, who entered the fight at 7-1-1. Douglas scored the finish in the second round to secure the Future Fighting Championship Middleweight title.

Douglas has been a pro since 2018 and suffered the only loss of his career in his second bout to then 2-3, Wesley do Nascimento.

Both of these guys are very violent and in a weight class where fighters are rendered unconscious often. This is a fight the fans should keep their eyes on to see if Trent can make the best of his second chance.