Dana White’s Contender Series is back for its 10th season.
The show, which airs 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 eighth episode of the new season takes place on Sep. 29 and airs live on Paramount+ starting at 7 p.m. ET.
WBW: Summer Onley (6-0, Ronin MMA, England) vs. Alivia Bierley (5-1, Spratt Hybrid Systems, United States)
One of the few female bouts on this season of the Contender Series will see undefeated Brit Summer Onley take on Alivia Bierley of the USA. Bierley was originally slated to fight Bella Mir earlier this season, but an injury after her most recent fight pushed her back to this episode. She’s a good striker, but the question will be if she can make weight. She’s missed weight in multiple pro fights, so that will be interesting to see. As for Onley, she similarly is comfortable fighting on the feet and has been very good while fighting over in the UK. She’s the FCC champion, and her opponents’ combined records are 21-5. This should be a good one.
WW: Sal Everett (4-0, Freestyle MMA, United States) vs. Ozzy Martin (4-0, Nostos MMA, United States)
In somewhat of a puzzling matchup for the Contender Series, given that both of these fighters are just 4-0, we see East Coast MMA pro Ozzy Martin take on current Dana White employee Sal Everett. Everett is one of Dana White’s assistants in Las Vegas, but is a destructive fighter with all wins coming in the first round. He even has a four-second knockout of an opponent. Martin seemingly has more experience since he has pro kickboxing and boxing bouts, but is a finisher in his own right. I don’t think either of these guys is UFC-ready right now, but it should make for a good fight.
FLY: Roque Conceicao (11-3, Revira Black Team, Brazil) vs. Alexander Chavez (9-0, Pitbull Martial Arts Center, Peru)
Returning after falling in last season’s Contender Series, Roque Conceicao comes back after going to Japan and getting back in the win column. While he was knocked out in that Contender Series bout, he is more of a kickboxer, though he has some jiu-jitsu as well. He takes on undefeated Alexander Chavez, who will have no problem standing toe-to-toe with Conceicao. Two-thirds of his wins have come by knockout, and he held the Inka FC title. This one should be a barnburner.
BW: Mateus Soares (11-2, Refit Pro Fighters, Brazil) vs. Ryuho Miyaguchi (7-1, Cobra Kai MMA Dojo, Japan)
A strong prospect from Brazil, Mateus Soares is a well-rounded fighter who looks for the finish early and often. He has good power striking and loves to get into dogfights. He also has a solid submission game on the mat, as many Refit Pro Fighters representatives are known for their jiu-jitsu. The MAC champion squares off with Ryuho Miyaguchi, a fighter who is a questionable addition to the season given he’s coming off a loss in the Road to UFC tournament against underdog Chungreng Koren by submission. This could be a lopsided bout in favor of the Brazilian.
LHW: Nell Ariano (6-0, Platinum MMA Training Center, France) vs. Preston LaGrange (6-1, Hard Drive MMA, United States)
On late notice, Preston LaGrange steps in for Ivan Gnizditskity in an attempt to score a UFC contract. Unfortunately, he’s best remembered for being on the receiving end of a slam knockout by previous Contender Series fighter Brandon Holmes. He takes on undefeated Nell Ariano, a tall, lanky striker who will have no issue stepping into the middle with LaGrange and throwing down. I don’t think this one makes it to the judges, and LaGrange has an uphill battle here.
This episode does not have one of the highest-caliber talent pools of the season, so the pickings are slim here. That said, Mateus Soares appears to be the best fighter on the episode. He’s young, talented, and well-rounded. Luckily for him, he just so happens to have the most tailor-made matchup…
I stated this fight did not have UFC-quality fighters, but if you have seen these guys fight before, they are exciting. I think this one is an absolute barnburner.
There aren’t a lot of female bantamweights in the sport, especially decent-quality ones. From what I have seen, Summer Onley is a talented fighter who has gotten better from fight to fight. She could be a major under-the-radar prospect.
Like I said, I was surprised Miyaguchi got the call for the Contender Series. Losing by submission to a late-notice fighter in the Road to UFC series, a fighter who is nowhere near UFC level, is an indictment of Miyaguchi’s game.
| Lineup | Fight Prediction |
|---|---|
| WBW: Summer Onley vs. Alivia Bierley | Onley |
| WW: Sal Everett vs. Ozzy Martin | Everett |
| FLY: Roque Conceicao vs. Alexander Chavez | Chavez |
| BW: Mateus Soares vs. Ryuho Miyaguchi | Soares |
| LHW: Preston LaGrange vs. Nell Ariano | Ariano |