Dana White's Contender Series: Season 9, Episode 1 Results
The ninth season of Dana White’s Contender Series started on Tuesday, August 12, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This season will run for 10 weeks with fighters competing for a chance to earn a UFC contract. The event featured five fights across three weight divisions, with live results, reactions, video highlights, and a list of UFC contract winners.
Two fighters secured UFC contracts on Tuesday, including Baisangur Susurkaev, who received praise from UFC CEO Dana White for his performance. Since the series began in 2017, White has awarded 289 UFC contracts to competitors. Last season, in Season 8, 42 UFC deals were handed out.
Three fighters who appeared on the Contender Series have gone on to become UFC champions: Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, and Jack Della Maddalena. The first episode of Season 9 aired on ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. ET.
In one of the fights, Ty Miller showcased his striking skills against Jimmy Drago, ultimately winning by unanimous decision. Baisangur Susurkaev impressed with a TKO victory over Murtaza Talha. Radley da Silva and Yuri Panferov also secured wins in their respective fights.
The episode featured a middleweight matchup between Ilian Bouafia and Neemias Santana as the headline fight. Bouafia, with a 6-0 record, faced Santana, who is 7-2-1. Bouafia was the favorite to win the fight.
Another notable fight was between Radley da Silva and George Mangos in the featherweight category. Da Silva, the defending champion, faced the undefeated Mangos, with betting odds favoring Mangos for a potential decision win.
In a welterweight matchup, Ty Miller faced Jimmy Drago, with Miller being the favorite to secure a decision victory. Christopher Ewert and Yuri Panferov were set to meet at 185 pounds, with Ewert as the betting favorite to win via knockout.
The opening fight of Season 9 featured Baisangur Susurkaev against Murtaza Talha, with Susurkaev being the favorite to win by knockout. Stay tuned for more updates on Season 9 of the Dana White Contender Series.