The best fighters of the Contender Series from each season, ranking

Contender Series is back!

Season 8 kicks off TONIGHT (Tuesday, August 13, 2024) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is packed with top talent in mixed martial arts (MMA). Freak athlete, Mansur Abdul-Malikmeets his fellow finisher, Wesley Schultzin the main event. Meanwhile, in the first fight of the evening, viral knockout artist, An Hofights against top contenders in the flyweight division, Lonely Kavanagh.

Before the next generation of Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) fighters receive their contracts, MMAmania.com presents the best fighters of the last seven seasons.

Aaaaand here we go!

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series: O'Malley vs. Khashakyan

Sean O’Malley

Season 1 (July 11 – August 29, 2017)

This season is an absolute no-brainer: Sean O’Malley. There is an argument that he is the biggest and best fighter to come out of the show and it feels like the CEO of UFC, Dana Whitehas been looking for his next O’Malley ever since.

O’Malley knocked out Alfred Khashakyan in the first round and shouted: “Welcome to the Sugar Show”, whereupon everyone turned around. Oh, and Snoop Dog lost his mind because of the knockout.

O’Malley eventually captured the UFC bantamweight crown with a knockout against Aljamain Sterling (Watch highlights) and once defended it against his rival, Marlon VeraO’Malley has 8.4 million followers across all social media, the eighth-most of any fighter on the UFC roster.

Honorable Mentions: Alex Perez, Daniel Ige (Ige was not signed to the show, but fought at UFC 220 on short notice).

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series: Holland vs. Santiago

Kevin Holland

Season 2 (June 12 – August 7, 2018)

Season two of Contender Series had a lot of great options. From Maycee Hairdresser To Anthony Hernandez To Sodiq Yusuff To Jaline Turner. However, I think Kevin Holland — who didn’t even get a contract on the show because he upset White (shock) — is the best fighter to come out of season 2. Holland finally made his Octagon debut against Thiago Santos briefly moved up a weight class … and lost. Shortly afterwards he won three times before losing a second time against Brendan Allen.

But it wasn’t until 2020 that he really made an impression.

During the UFC’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown era – where every single fight was held in UFC Apex (or Fight Island) – Holland competed five times and won all of them, capping off a great year with a knockout Jacaré Souza (see it).

His big year in 2020 gave him two consecutive main events in 2021, both of which he lost, but he became a fan favorite because of his attitude to fight anyone, anywhere, in any weight class.

Honorable Mentions: Barber, Chris Curtis

Dana White's Contender Series: Hill vs. Poppeck

Jamahal Hill

Season Three (18 June – 20 August 2019)

The first Contender Series The first fighter to hold UFC gold came in season three, week five: Jamahal Hill. Hill’s first three UFC fights were pretty forgettable, that is, until Paul Craig dislocated the elbow of “Sweat Dreams” and gave Hill his first defeat as a professional (see here). Hill then knocked out the highly praised young player, Jimmy Crutewhich earned him his first UFC main event against Johnny Walker (Hill scored a meme knockout).

Hill got another main event against former light heavyweight title challenger, Thiago Santosand then he had the best timing ever, because he entered a vacant title fight against Glover Teixeira.

“Sweat Dreams” won by unanimous decision and achieved his goal. However, he was unable to defend his title as he tore his Achilles tendon and lost the belt.

Hill will be a fixture in the light heavyweight division as long as he fights.

Honorable Mentions: Brendan Loughnan, Brendan Allen

Dana White's Contender Series – Hill vs. Kasanganay

Impa Kasanganay

Season four (4 Aug – 1 Sept 2020)

Season four of Contender Series took place during the global pandemic that devastated the regional mixed martial arts (MMA) scene.

The best fighter of the fourth season is Impa Kasanganay …and I’ll explain why. Kasanganay didn’t have the best UFC run, going 2-2 and getting virally knocked out by Joaquin Buckley (it was so good). However, Kasangnay also had a fantastic career outside of the UFC in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

In fact, “Tshilobo” fought his way into the PFL in 2023 by taking part in the challenger Show. He won the light heavyweight championship and a million dollars and is well on his way to defending his title.

Oh, and another fun fact: Kasaganay participated in the third season but was unable to secure a contract.

Honorable Mentions: Adrian Yanez, Carlos Ulberg

Dana White's Contender Series – Loosa vs. Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena

Season five (31 Aug – 2 Nov 2020)

Season five of Contenders Series were by far the most difficult 10 weeks to pick a clear winner; in fact, I changed my mind several times. At the end of the day, Jack Della Maddalena is the best fighter of the fifth season.

“JDM” is undefeated in the Octagon and has a perfect record (7-0) in the promotion. He has earned five “Performance of the Night” bonuses and earned the best win of any Season 5 competitor, stopping former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns (with a broken arm).

Della Maddalena is currently ranked 5th in the UFC’s top 15 welterweight division and has put himself in a position where he is just one or two fights away from a title shot.

Honorable Mentions: Diego Lopez, Caio Borralho

Dana White's Contender Series, Season 6, Week 10

Bo Nickal

Season Six (26 July – 27 September 2021)

Bo Nickal has only three UFC fights and is perfect as a professional (6-0); however, his potential makes him the best fighter of the sixth season of Contender series.

Nickal is a three-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion, making him one of the best college wrestlers to compete in MMA. The scary thing is that he hasn’t really utilized his wrestling so far in his career.

He knocks people out

We’ve never seen him fight a top 15 ranked middleweight, but it’s not like he’s turning them down. In fact, Nickal can handle the slow build of Dana White and co.

Honorable Mentions: Raul Rosas Jr., Joe Pyfer

Dana White’s Contender Series – Silva vs. Vallejos

Jean Silva

Season Seven (8 August. – 10 October 2023)

A year is certainly a challenge to assess someone. Jean Silva has already made a big impression and achieved great victories. “Lord” made a statement in his UFC debut by Westin Wilson in the first round (watch out); however, his next two fights will put him on everyone’s radar.

He struck out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 during the “International Fight Week” and then turned around and finished the ever-sustainable, Drew Doberat UFC Denver when he was a higher weight class.

Time will tell how good Silva really is, but right now he’s the best fight of season seven.

Honorable Mentions: Payton Talbott, Hyder Amil

For complete Contender Series News and tips: Check out our comprehensive archive Here.