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 fifth episode of the new season takes place on Sept. 8 and airs live on Paramount+ starting at 7 p.m. ET.
LHW: Arlind Berisha (5-0, Sarpsborg Chi Kickboxing & MMA, Norway/Albania) vs. Quentin Pasley (3-0, Fighting Arts Academy, United States)
A pair of young, undefeated light heavyweights at different ends of the spectrum are set to meet. On one side you have Arlind Berisha, a 6’6” finisher that has emerged as one of Europe’s finer prospects at 25 years old. On the other side you have Quentin Pasley, a similarly tall, long fighter who has only three pro MMA bouts but has also competed professionally in grappling and striking. He’s yet to really become a top prospect. It will be an interesting clash of styles for two very tall 205ers.
FLY: Christian Natividad (9-0, Fight Ready MMA, United States) vs. Colton Loud (7-1, Genesis BJJ, United States)
After missing out on the Contender Series last year because he had to pull out, Frank Silva pulled out again this year, and now, Christian Natividad fights on late notice against Fury FC alum Colton Loud. Natividad is not flashy, but he is effective. He’s physically imposing and relies heavily on a dominating ground game. Loud is more of an exciting fighter than a standout in any facet of the game. He’ll bring the fight to Natividad in what should be an interesting clash of styles.
FW: Won Il Kwon (14-6, P-Boy MMA, South Korea) vs. Apollo Gomes (12-2, Chute Boxe, Brazil)
Returning for the second year in a row after being on the receiving end of one of the best knockouts in DWCS history, Won Il Kwon is a rare instance of a fighter on a two-fight skid getting another shot. It’s a little more believable when given that the non-Contender opponent was Fabricio Andrade for the ONE Championship belt. Kwon and Gomes are fixing to have a barnburner here, as both men love to scrap and get in dog fights frequently. I expect the winner to net a contract.
MW: Christian Echols (8-4, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, United States) vs. Martin Kozak (6-0, Mattix MMA, Slovakia)
On late notice, Christian Echols steps in here to fight undefeated Euro prospect Martin Kozak. Echols is a physically strong fighter who has built up his record fighting lower competition to mixed results. Contrarily, Kozak is a rangy, nasty striker who uses distance well and should be able to stay out of trouble against Echols. Long shots have already won on the Contender Series this year, but this looks like a tall order for Echols.
WW: Reginaldo Junior (11-1, Fighting Nerds, Brazil) vs. Isaac Moreno (8-0, Primetime Headquarters, United States)
It’s a shame that Reginaldo Junior and Isaac Moreno have to fight each other when this season of Contender Series has featured cans fighting cans, but here we are. Two of the best prospects at 170 pounds meet each other in what should be a tactical marvel. Both are well-rounded fighters who have scored wins over impressive opposition. Both of these guys could fight in the UFC tomorrow.
Berisha is probably not the best fighter on the card right now, but I think he has the brightest future of the bunch. He’s still young, he’s got great physical gifts, and he’s well-rounded. He’s also in a weight class that is shallow on top-end talent.
Legitimately, if this fight were on a UFC card, it would be better than at least a quarter of what they put on there right now. Both of these men are high level. While it may not be a rock ’em, sock ’em robots-type affair, you are going to see some high-grade MMA when these two meet.
Kozak is probably a lesser-known name when it comes to prospects of his skill level, but he’s a guy to watch. His striking is especially a treat to watch, so be sure to keep a tab on him come Tuesday.
On the other side of Kozak is Echols, who, as we stated, is a late-notice fighter with a questionable record. He’s got a long road to hoe.
| LHW: Arlind Berisha vs. Quentin Pasley | Berisha |
|---|---|
| FLY: Christian Natividad vs. Colton Loud | Natividad |
| FW: Won Il Kwon vs. Apollo Gomes | Kwon |
| MW: Christian Echols vs. Martin Kozak | Kozak |
| WW: Reginaldo Junior vs. Isaac Moreno | Moreno |