Dana White’s Contender Series is back for its 10th season.
The show, which airs on its home on Paramount+, aims to give top prospects a chance to impress the UFC brass in an attempt to earn a contract with the company. The show’s first episode of the new season takes place on Aug. 11 and airs live on Paramount+ starting at 7 p.m. ET.
HW: Anthony Wint (6-0, Kill Cliff FC, United States) vs. Matthew Adams (6-2, Raw MMA, United States)
The first heavyweight fight of the season appears to be a showcase bout for former NFL player Anthony Wint, an undefeated powerhouse that has been immensely impressive so far in his pro MMA career. Adams doesn’t mind banging on the feet, which is what Wint will want to do, but does his best work with ground-and-pound on the mat. He will have to get Wint down, though that will be tough given his great athleticism and quickness for a heavyweight. If this is a pure striking bout, Wint should have a great advantage.
LW: Fabrizio Escarrega (9-1, Victory Fight Club, Mexico) vs. Abe Alsaghir (8-0, Porrada Training Center, Lebanon/United States)
If you’re looking for a high-octane bout that likely does not make the judges, this fight is for you. Abe Alsaghir is an aggressive striker that comes forward looking to headhunt from bell to bell, with finishes in all of his fights but one. Escarrega is a good striker with an underrated ground game, but his big advantage here will be his size and length. That could be the X-factor, especially if this is heavily contested on the feet, which I think it will be.
FW: Tom Pagliarulo (10-2, New England Cartel, United States) vs. Ananias Mulumba (10-3, Elite Training Center, Democratic Republic of Congo)
Ananias Mulumba returns to the Contender Series again after falling last year to Marwan Rahiki, a bout that was highly competitive and entertaining. Mulumba likes to stand and bang, possessing huge knockout power that is attractive to the UFC matchmakers. He’s also one of the few African prospects that has not been snagged by PFL Africa. Tom Pagliarulo may be a guy they are trying to use as a lamb here to get Mulumba to the roster, but he will be no pushover, especially since he has superior grappling to Mulumba. If Pagliarulo gets Mulumba down, he has a great chance at winning. If contested on the feet, Mulumba should have the edge, though Pagliarulo is scrappy.
FlyW: Mridul Saikia (9-1, Bidang MMA & Fitness Gym, India) vs. Bilal Hasan (8-0, Charlie’s Combat Club, United States)
There is no doubt about it: this fight is the definition of showcase. Bilal Hasan is a highly touted prospect by all MMA scouts in the sport right now. He’s an incredible striker and rounded fighter overall that has been utterly dominant in his career. Saikia is a Road to UFC vet, where he was knocked out in 37 seconds by Agu Lali. He’s a finisher in his home country of India; however, that country’s MMA scene is not exactly the highest quality of talent.
MW: Jon Kunneman (10-0, Jackson-Winklejohn MMA, United States) vs. Joseph Kropschot (8-3, Team Santos Jiu Jitsu, United States)
A pair of regional champions match up here in a clash of ground styles. Jon Kunneman is a University of Nebraska wrestling alum who has outstanding takedowns, control, and submissions on the mat. Kropschot is more of a traditional jiu-jitsu stylist that has competed in the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds and is a dangerous submission fighter. This is likely an all-mat contest, with whoever establishes the dominant position being the eventual victor.
Hands down the best prospect on the episode. Kunneman and Wint are a close second-third between the two of them, but Hasan’s overall game and age make him not only the best prospect but the best fighter right now.
This won’t be the most exciting fight, but it’s the best matchup. Kunneman, the APFC Champion, taking on Kropschot, the LFA Champion, with both men being tremendous grapplers. It won’t burn any barns, but it will show the closest matchup on the episode.
Like we said, he’s a close second or third for best fighter on the show, but he’s a dark horse because he’s not a household name outside of the hardcores and NFL nuts who recognize him in his brief stint there. He’s a powerhouse and an untapped talent.
This guy was brought in to showcase how good Hasan is. They could have done it with a better fighter, but instead, they make an international name the sacrificial lamb. I don’t see any path to victory for Saikia. He’s the 10th fighter out of 10 in terms of talent on this episode.
| Fight | Pick |
|---|---|
| HW: Anthony Wint vs. Matthew Adams | Wint |
| LW: Fabrizio Escarrega vs. Abe Alsaghir | Alsaghir |
| FW: Tom Pagliarulo vs. Ananias Mulumba | Mulumba |
| FLY: Mridul Saikia vs. Bilal Hasan | Hasan |
| MW: Jon Kunneman vs. Joseph Kropschot | Kunneman |