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Dana White's Contender Series (season 8)
Season 8 of Dana White's Contender Series commences in August 2024 and in the US is exclusive to ESPN+, ESPN's over-the-top subscription package. Week 1 – August 13 Background Contract awards The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: * Mansur Abdul-Malik, Bruno Lopes, Jose Delgado, and Lone'er Kavanagh Week 2 – August 20 Contract awards The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: * Andreas Gustafsson Berg, Rizvan Kuniev, Cortavious Romious, and Cody Haddon Week 3 – August 27 Background Contract awards The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: * Andrey Pulyaev, Bogdan Grad, Marco Tulio, and Malcolm Wellmaker Week 4 – September 3 Background Tommy McMillen was scheduled to face Austin Bashi in a featherweight bout at the event, but he withdrew due to injury and the bout was cancelled. Bashi instead faced Dorian Ramos. Contract awards The following fighters w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ESPN+
ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). It is one of Disney's three flagship subscription streaming brands in the United States, alongside Disney+ and Hulu, and operates using technology of Disney subsidiary BAMTech, now known as Disney Streaming. ESPN+ is marketed as an add-on to ESPN's core linear networks, with some of ESPN+'s content previously offered exclusively to cable subscribers via ESPN3 and the ESPN app. ESPN+ does not include access to these services, as they continue to only be available through television providers. Thus, some of ESPN's sports rights are not carried on ESPN+. Featured content on ESPN+ includes combat sports (including coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Top Rank boxing), college sports, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dana White's Contender Series
Dana White's Contender Series, formerly named Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, is an American mixed martial arts promotion. In May 2017, the UFC announced White would hold the competition weekly on UFC Fight Pass (It has since been moved to ESPN+). As with the earlier web series ''Looking for a Fight'', the goal of the series is for White to scout talent for the UFC. Similar to The Ultimate Fighter none of the fighters involved will have existing UFC contracts. Licensed separately from the UFC with Dana White applying for a promoter's license, it was stated ahead of the license being approved that "this is not the UFC, this is not the UFC brand, but instead a promotion that will allow up and coming fighters the chance to showcase their talents in hopes that one day they may compete in the UFC." The inaugural event took place on July 11, 2017. All events have been held at the UFC's home base of Las Vegas. List of seasons List of contract winners References {{Ul ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ESPN Inc
ESPN Inc. is an American multinational sports media conglomerate majority-owned by the Walt Disney Company, with Hearst Communications as an equity stakeholder. Founded by Bill Rasmussen in 1979, it owns and operates local and global cable and satellite television variants of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN+ and other related ventures and is currently headed by executive James Pitaro. Commonly and colloquially marketed as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports", programming on its television networks include broadcasts of live or tape-delayed sporting events and sports-related programming including talk shows and original documentary series and films. History ESPN Inc. was founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, initially as an attempt to broadcast sports in Connecticut over an "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network" (ESPN) cable channel, and soon became a nationwide cable sports network. Shortly after being terminated as the World Hockey Association's New ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
UFC Apex
UFC Apex (stylized as UFC APEX) is a live events and production center in Enterprise, Nevada, operated and owned by TKO Group Holdings (TKO). The venue hosts events held by TKO's two divisions, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and WWE, as well as events of the Dana White-owned Power Slap league. The facility's location was chosen in part due to its close proximity to the UFC Performance Institute, which serves as the UFC's headquarters and is located across the street. The Apex was built to host live events as well as studio shows. History The facility was officially opened on June 18, 2019. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, following three events in Jacksonville, all U.S.-based UFC events were held at the Apex behind closed doors. As of January 2024, the Apex continues to host select Fight Night events, and now allows for limited public spectators. The Apex features the 25-foot wide Octagon variant typically used for smaller events and venues, as opposed to the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Las Vegas Valley
The Las Vegas Valley is a major metropolitan area in the Southern Nevada, southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada, and the second largest in the Southwestern United States. The state's largest urban agglomeration, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area is coextensive since 2003 with Clark County, Nevada. The Valley is largely defined by the Las Vegas Valley land formation, a Depression (geology), basin area surrounded by mountains to the north, south, east and west of the metropolitan area. The Valley is home to the three largest incorporated cities in Nevada: Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada, Henderson and North Las Vegas, Nevada, North Las Vegas. Eleven unincorporated towns governed by the Clark County government are part of the Las Vegas Township and constitute the largest community in the state of Nevada. The names Las Vegas and Vegas are interchangeably used to indicate the Valley, Las Vegas Strip, the Strip, and the city, and as a brand by the Las Vegas Convention and V ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rizvan Kuniev
Rizvan Kuniev (born March 10, 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 24, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC Heavyweight rankings. Mixed martial arts career Early career Kuniev would start his career on a 9-2-1 run with his only losses coming to Darko Stošić and Justin Willis. Kuniev would then compete for the Eagle FC Heavyweight title against Vladimir Dainenko at Eagle FC 31 winning the fight by corner stoppage. Kuniev then made his Contender Series debut against Edivan Santos on September 28, 2021. He won via third round stoppage, but didn't get a contract with the UFC After competing on Contender Series, Kuniev would defend his Eagle FC Heavyweight title against UFC veteran Anthony Hamilton at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022. He would win the fight via guillotine choke in the first round. Kuniev would then sign for the Professional Fighters League for their 2023 seaso ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nick Piccininni
Nicholas Piccininni (born December 16, 1996) is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated folkstyle wrestler who currently competes in the flyweight division. As a wrestler, Piccininni became a three–time NCAA Division I All-American and a four–time Big 12 Conference champion out of the Oklahoma State University for John Smith. Wrestling career High school Piccininni was born and raised in East Setauket, New York, and went on to attend Ward Melville High School. He made the varsity team in wrestling when he was in the eighth grade, year in which he placed third at the state championships. He won the state title in every year of high school, making him a four–time NYSPHSAA champion at four different weight classes (106, 113, 120 & 126 respectively). He also competed at FloNationals, tournament in which he was the runner-up on 2013 and the champion on 2014. He graduated with a record of 226–3 and was awarded the 2015 Dave Schultz High School Ex ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quillan Salkilld
Quillan (; Languedocien: ''Quilhan'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. On 1 January 2016, the former commune of Brenac was merged into Quillan. Geography Quillan is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the road between Carcassonne and Perpignan. The River Aude runs through the town. At the base of the mountains, fields of sunflowers and vineyards straddle the roads with snow-capped peaks in the distance. The beaches of the Mediterranean are about an hour away. In the other direction, Carcassonne is a 45-minute drive, while Toulouse is one and a half hours away. Quillan is a medium-sized town 6 km from Espéraza, neighbouring the commune of Ginoles. History Historically, Quillan was a stopping point on the ancient and winding road between Carcassonne and Perpignan. The River Aude traditionally carried timber and other local products to Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. The town was particularly noted for hat making, and then later, th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yousri Belgaroui
Yousri Belgaroui (born 2 June 1992) is a Tunisian-Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial artist. In kickboxing, he has competed in Glory, where he is a three-time Glory Middleweight Championship challenger. He was ranked as a top ten middleweight by Combat Press between November 2021 and March 2022, peaking at No. 2 Personal life Belgaroui was born in Amsterdam to a Tunisian father and a Dutch mother. He holds a degree in Public Governance and Management from the University of Amsterdam. He works as a commentator for Veronica TV. Kickboxing career In 2016 Belgaroui entered the Glory Middleweight Contender's Tournament, held at Glory 34: Denver on October 21, 2016. In the semi-finals, he won a unanimous decision over Ariel Machado, but lost a split decision to Israel Adesanya in the tournament finals. Yousri entered the 2017 Middleweight Contender Tournament as well, which was held at Glory 40: Copenhagen on April 29, 2017, and was booked to face Agron Preteni in the semifinal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tallison Teixeira
Tallison Teixeira (born December 7, 1999) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2021, Teixeira earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series, winning by first round KO. As of June 24, 2025, he is #13 in the UFC Heavyweight rankings. Mixed martial arts career Early career Teixeira began his professional MMA career in 2021, quickly establishing himself as a heavyweight prospect. Teixeira amassed a record of 6-0 fighting exclusively in Brazil for promotions such as Legacy Fighting Alliance with all his wins coming via first round stoppage. Dana White's Contender Series Teixeira was then booked to compete on Week 6 of Season 8 of Dana White's Contender Series on September 17, 2024, against fellow Brazilian prospect Arthur Lopes. He won the fight via first round knockout and was subsequently awarded a contract by Dana White. Ultimate Fighting Championship Teixeira w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Artem Vakhitov
Artem Olegovich Vakhitov (; born April 4, 1991) is a Russian kickboxer who competes in the Light heavyweight division of Glory. Having begun practicing Muay Thai at eleven years old, Vakhitov first came to prominence due to a successful amateur career by winning three world championships as well as taking gold in 2013 at the World Combat Games. He turned professional in 2009, and signed with Glory in 2013, where he would twice be crowned the Glory Light Heavyweight Champion. As of 2 February Vakhitov is ranked the #1 light-heavyweight and #4 pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world by Combat Press. Early life Vakhitov was born in Prokopyevsk on April 4, 1991 and began basic martial arts training under his father's tutelage at the age of five years before going on to study karate at the age of six, which he practiced for five years. He was forced to give up karate aged eleven when he and his family moved to another part of the city, but he soon found the Kuzba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Islam Dulatov
Islam Dulatov (born August 2, 1998) is a German mixed martial artist and professional fashion model. He is currently competing in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Dulatov was born in the small town of Urus-Martan, Chechnya, Russia. He grew up in a large family with six brothers, being the middle child. During the turbulent years of the Second Chechen War, Dulatov's family frequently moved across the region, including to Shali and Grozny, in search of safety. Due to the ongoing insurgency, the Dulatov brothers had little opportunity to attend school. Instead, they spent much of their time outdoors, engaging in bodyweight workouts and helping their parents by unloading trucks to support the family financially. In December 2007, the family relocated to Germany as war refugees. Initially, Dulatov and his brothers struggled to adapt to their new environment, particularly in school, where the language barrier posed a significant challeng ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
