Dana White's Contender Series is more than just a reality show for the UFC. With former champions and contenders coming from it, DWCS has proven to be a successful venture that showcases the future of MMA.
This year, DWCS is back for its ninth season.
Each week, fighters compete against one another, and if they impress, White will offer them a UFC contract. The first episode of the latest season was on August 12, with the last episode scheduled to air on October 14.
Standouts from the series include Sean O'Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena, Joe Pyfer, Tracy Cortez, Maycee Barber, and Bo Nickal.
Baysangur Susurkaev has already impressed this season, earning a contract and winning his UFC debut four days later at UFC 319.
Here’s how you can watch Dana White's Contender Series, including streaming options and TV schedule.
How to watch Dana White's Contender Series 2025
- Live stream: ESPN+
Dana White's Contender Series will be available on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $11.99 on a monthly subscription and $119.99 on an annual subscription.
Dana White's Contender Series 2025 full schedule and episode guide
| Date | Episode | Time (ET) | Location | How to watch |
| August 12 | 1 | 7 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| August 19 | 2 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| August 26 | 3 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| September 2 | 4 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| September 9 | 5 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| September 16 | 6 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| September 23 | 7 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| September 30 | 8 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| October 7 | 9 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| October 14 | 10 | 8 p.m. | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
Dana White's Contender Series format, rules
Each week will include five fights of ten prospects or veterans looking to earn a UFC roster spot. White and matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby are part of the panel that observes the fights.
Unlike The Ultimate Fighter or other programs, DWCS is not a knockout-like tournament. At the end of each week, White gives out contracts to the most deserving fighters, or who impressed the most.
Securing a win does not guarantee a contract. On rare occasions, the loser of a fight could be awarded a contract.
Dana White's Contender Series 2025 fight schedule, roster
*Cards subject to change
DWCS, August 12
- Ilian Bouafia def. Neemias Santana via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
- *Ty Miller def. Jimmy Drago via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- *Baysangur Susurkaev def. Murtaza Talha via TKO (3:04 into round one)
- Radley Da Silva def. George Mangos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
*Baysangur Susurkaev and Ty Miller all earned contracts
DWCS, August 19
- *Jose Delano def. Manuel Exposito via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
- *Cameron Rowston def. Brandon Holmes via TKO (2:58 into round one)
- *Louis Lee Scott def. Kaushik Saikumar via TKO (2:20 into round three)
- *Josh Hokit def. Guilherme Uriel via TKO (1:06 into round two)
- *Ramiro Jimenez def. Tommy Cuozzi via TKO (2:53 into round one)
*Jose Delano, Cameron Rowston, Louis Lee Scott, Josh Hokit, and Ramiro Jimenez all earned contracts
DWCS, August 26
- *Ryan Gandra def. Trent Miller via TKO (2:51 into round one)
- *Marcio Barbosa def. Damon Wilson via TKO (4:14 into round one)
- *Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Alik Lorenz via TKO (0:30 into round one)
- *Manoel Sousa def. Cristian Perez via TKO (3:00) into round three
- *Donte Johnson def. Darion Abbey via TKO (1:04 into round one)
*Ryan Gandra, Marcio Barbosa, Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, Manoel Sousa, and Donte Johnson all earned contracts
DWCS, September 2
- *Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Jack Congdon via KO (1:08 into round one)
- *Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Theo Haig via TKO (0:36 into round one)
- *Mandel Nallo def. Samuel Silva via KO (3:29 into round one)
- Eduardo Henrique def. An Tuan Ho via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
- *Tommy McMillen def. David Mgoyan via majority decision (28–28, 29–28, 29–28)
*Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, Mandel Nallo, Cezary Oleksiejczuk, and Tommy McMillen all earned contracts
DWCS, September 9
- *Steven Asplund def. Anthony Guarascio via TKO (0:16 into round one)
- *Lerryan Douglas def. Cam Teague via KO (0:36 into round one)
- Freddy Vidal def. Felipe Franco via rear-naked choke (4:48 ino round three)
- *Samuel Sanches def. Chasen Blair via KO (2:01 into round one)
- *Caroline Foro def. Shanelle Dyer via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
*Caroline Foro, Shanelle Dyer, Samuel Sanches, Lerryan Douglas and Steven Asplund all earned contracts
DWCS, September 16
- Hecher Sosa vs. Mackson Lee; Bantamweights
- Hwang In-su vs. Paddy McCorry; Middleweights
- Iwo Baraniewski vs. Mahamed Aly; Light Heavyweights
- Cody Chovancek vs. Raphael Uchegbu; Bantamweights
- Adam Livingston vs. Thomas Gantt; Lightweights
DWCS, September 23
- TBA vs. TBA
DWCS, September 30
- TBA vs. TBA
DWCS, October 7
- TBA vs. TBA
DWCS, October 14
- TBA vs. TBA