Dana White's Contender Series returns for a 10th season on August 11

Dana White’s Contender Series opens its 10th season on August 11 at 8 p.m. ET, with 10 Tuesday night episodes each featuring five bouts and a fresh wave of fighters competing for UFC contracts.

The series, which debuted in 2017, has established itself as one of the UFC’s primary talent pipelines. Across its first nine seasons — including Dana White’s Contender Series: Brazil — the show has awarded more than 300 UFC contracts to aspiring mixed martial artists who impress UFC President and CEO Dana White and the promotion’s matchmaking team.

Four fighters who passed through the series have gone on to become UFC champions: Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena, and current light heavyweight titleholder Carlos Ulberg.

The show’s alumni extend well beyond title holders. Several prominent contenders and prospects earned their UFC opportunities through the series, among them Payton Talbott, Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, Mauricio Ruffy, Kevin Holland, Caio Borralho, Brendan Allen, and Joe Pyfer, as well as Lone’er Kavanagh, Kevin Vallejos, Jacobe Smith, David Martinez, Ateba Abega Gautier, Quillan Salkilld, and Josh Hokit.

Season 10 will follow the same format that has defined the series since its inception: five bouts per episode, with fighters putting their professional records on the line for a shot at a UFC roster spot. The 10-episode run gives a substantial number of prospects the chance to make their case in front of the organisation’s decision-makers.