There is no difference between Contender Series fighters and Regular UFC direct hires

Dreyga_King of Sherbums

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All this hate/ criticism against contenders series guys makes no logical sense.

Guys who got contracts off the contender series get the same starting contracts as direct hires.

Fighters recruited to fight on contender series are plucked from the same promotions they get their direct hires.

The is no logical reason fighters coming through one show would be any better or worse than fighters on the other show.

It’s the same people recruiting them.

Imagine if this seasons DWCS fighters were cast on TUF instead or if the TUF guys had to earn a contract through DWCS. Their fighting ability wouldn’t be any different
 
Actual Stats Below


Last updated in January, I’ll be doing an update after season 4.

when I look at some of the names below, I’m actually very impressed how many standouts there are from the show already



Season 1 – 2017 - SEASON 1 IS FULLY UPDATED.
  • Kurt Holobaugh 0-3 - RELEASED
  • Boston Salmon 0-2 RELEASED
  • Sean O’Malley 2-0
  • Karl Roberson 4-2
  • Geoff Neal 5-0
  • Julian Marquez 1-1
  • Brandon Davis 2-5
  • Mike Rodriguez 1-2-1
  • Alex Perez 5-1
  • Charles Byrd 1-2
  • Grant Dawson 2-0
  • Benito Lopez 2-1
  • Joby Sanchez 0-2 RELEASED
  • Matt Frevola 2-1-1
  • Lauren Mueller 1-3 RELEASED
  • Allen Crowder 1-2 RETIRED
  • Matt Bessette - 0-2 RELEASED
  • Zu Anyanwu - 0-1 RELEASED
  • Casey Kenney - 2-0
  • Kyle Stewart - 0-2 RELEASED
  • Dan Ige - 4-1
  • Austin Arnett - 1-3 RELEASED
  • Julio Arce - 3-2
  • Ricky Simon - 3-2
  • Martin Day - 0-1
  • Steven Peterson - 2-3
  • Mike Santiago - 0-3

Total Record: 44-44-2
Win percentage: 50%

Season 2 – 2018 SEASON 2 FULLY UPDATED
  • Greg Hardy 2-2-1 Inhaler Gate 2019
  • Matt Sayles 1-2
  • Anthony Hernandez 1-1
  • Ryan Spann 3-0
  • Dwight Grant 2-1
  • Antonina Shevchenko 2-1
  • Te Edwards 0-2 RELEASED
  • Bevon Lewis 1-2
  • Jordan Espinosa 1-2
  • Maycee Barber 3-1
  • Edmen Shahbazyan 4-0
  • Jimmy Crute 2-1
  • Sodiq Yusuff 4-0
  • Jeff Hughes 0-2-1
  • Roosevelt Roberts 3-1
  • Ian Heinisch 2-2
  • Juan Adams 1-2
  • Devonte Smith 2-1
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu 1-1
  • Bobby Moffett 1-2
  • Montel Jackson 3-1
  • Kevin Holland 4-2
  • Alonzo Menefield 2-0
  • Domingo Pilarte 0-1
  • Chase hooper 1-0
  • Mike Davis 1-1
  • Kevin Aguilar - 2-1
  • Chris Gutierrez - 2-1
  • Vince Morales - 1-2
  • Jalin Turner - 1-2
  • Jordan Griffin - 0-2
  • Giga Chikadze - 1-0
The combined record for Season 2 = 54-37-2

Winning percentage: 59.3%

SEASON 3 - 2019 - Fully Updated
  • Yorgan De Castro 1-0
  • Punahale Soriano 1-0
  • Miles Johns 1-0
  • Miguel Baeza 1-0
  • Joseph Solecki 1-0
  • Antonio Trocoli 0-0
  • Hunter Azure 1-0
  • Maki Pitolo 0-1
  • Jonathan Pearce 0-1
  • Antonio Arroyo 0-1
  • Ode Osbourne 0-1 The “Picasso” of MMA
  • Don’Tale Mayes 0-1
  • Brendan Allen 1-0
  • Sean Woodson 1-0
  • Jamahal Hill 1-0
  • Billy Quarantillo 1-0
  • Aleksa Camur 1-0
  • Aalon Cruz 0-0
  • Tracy Cortez 1-0
  • Rodrigo Nascimento 0-0
  • Omar Morales 1-0
  • Herbert Burns 1-0
  • Andre Muniz 1-0
  • Brok Weaver 0-0
  • Sarah Alpar 0-0
  • Tony Gravely 0-1
  • William Knight 0-0
  • Phillip Rowe 0-0
  • Duško Todorović 0-0
  • Peter Barrett 0-0
  • Tj Brown 0-0
  • Hannah Goldy 0-1
  • Jacob Kilburn - 0-1
  • Mallory Martin - 0-1
  • Ben Sosoli - 0-0-0-1
Total Record: 15-8-0-1
Winning Percentage: 65.03%

Contender Series Brasil - BRASIL UPDATED
  • Rogério Bontorin 2-0
  • Mayra Bueno Silva 1-0
  • Sarah Frota 0-2 RELEASED
  • Augusto Sakai 3-0
  • Taila Santos 0-1
  • Johnny Walker 3-1
  • Marina Rodriguez 2-0-2
  • Raulian Paiva 0-2
  • Launa Carolina 1-0
  • Thiago Moises 1-2
  • Vinicius Moreira - 0-3
  • John Allen - 0-0-0-1
Total Record: 13-11-2-1
Winning Percentage: 54.12%

Stats:

Debuted Fighters with at least 1 win: 80.5%

Debuted Fighters with more losses than wins: 38.8%

Debuted Fighters with only 1 Fight: 38.8%

Debuted Fighters to have gone on a 3 or more win streak: 8, 11%

Best Record: Geoff Neal (5-0)

Worst Record: Kurt Holobaugh and Vinicius Moreira (0-3)
 
Usually UFC direct signees were champions in other organizations. DWCS signees are not usually.
 
Idk compared to prime tuf dwcs isnt as fruitful.

This, also I think TUF has a certain nurturing aspect to it that can really polish rough diamonds. Remember how Gastelum was one of the last picks and with Chaels mentoring rose to his full potential.

Nobody expected much from Kelvin and he ended up winning the whole thing
 
Actual Stats Below
See updated stats below
I put together a pretty lengthy list of up to date records of fighters from the contender series. It’s quite interesting. It feels like it mirrors most ufc fighters. The average guy sees little/no success, but the breakout guys really stand out record-wise.

If you see anything that needs to be added or fixed let me know. Keep in mind some guys may not be listed in one season because they appear in multiple seasons, so please double check before pointing it out.

Im not including anyone who hasn’t fought yet.

Season 1:
Boston Salmon 0-2 Cut
Kurt Holobaugh 0-3 Cut
Zhu Anyanwu 0-1 Cut
Sean Omalley 4-1
Karl Roberson 4-3
Geoff Neal 5-0
Dan Ige 6-2
Julian Marquez 1-1
Kyler Phillips 2-0
Brandon Davis 2-4 Cut
Mike Rodriguez 2-3
Alex Perez 6-2
Julio acre 3-2
Casey Kenney 5-1
Charles Byrd 1-3 Retired
Joby Sanchez 0-2 Cut
Matt Bessette 0-2 Cut
Ricky Simon 4-2
Grant Dawson 4-0
Mike Santiago 0-3 Cut
Benito Lopez 2-1
Steven Peterson 2-3
Matt Frevola 2-1
Lauren Meuller 1-3 Cut
Allen Crowder 1-2 Retired
Dontale Mayes 1-2

Combined Record: 56-51
Winning Percentage: 52.3%

Season 2:
Alonzo Menefield 2-2
Greg Hardy 4-2
Montel Jackson 3-2
Kevin Holland 7-2
Ryan Spann 4-1
Matt Sayles 1-2
Anthony Hernandez 1-2
Giga Chikadze 5-0
Dwight Grant 2-2
Antonia Shevchenko 3-2
Julian Erosa 2-3
Te'Jovan Edwards 0-2
Josh Parisian 0-1
Jordan Espinosa 2-3
Bevon Lewis 1-3 Cut
Kevin Aguilar 2-3
Jailin Turner 3-2
Vince Morales 1-3
Maycee Barber 3-1
Edmen Shabazyan 4-1
Domingo Pilarte 0-1
Jimmy Crute 4-1
Sodiq Yussuf 4-0
Jeff Hughes 0-3 Cut
Chase Hooper 1-1
Roosevelt Robert’s 4-2
Ian Heinisch 3-2
Jordan Griffen 1-3
Juan adams 1-3 Cut
Devonte smith 2-1
Bobby Moffett 0-2 Cut
Kennedy Nzechukwu 1-1
Hannah Goldy 0-1

Combined Record: 70-60
Winning Percentage: 53%

Season 3:
Yorgan De Castro 1-2
Punahale Soriano 1-0
Miles John’s 2-1
Miguel baeaza 2-0
Kyle Daukus 1-1
Joseph Solecki 2-0
Hunter Azure 2-1
Maki Pitolo 1-3
Jonathan Pearce 0-1
Ode Osbourne 0-1
Brendan Allen 3-1
Antonio Arroyo 0-1
Billy Quarantillo 3-0
Sean Woodson 1-1
Jamahal Hill 2-0
Mariya agapova 1-1
Tracy Cortez 2-0
Daniel Rodriguez 3-1
Aalon Cruz 0-1
Aleksa Camur 1-1
Rodrigo Nascimento 1-1
Omar morales 2-1
Herbert Burns 2-1
Andre Muniz 2-0
Brok Weaver 1-2
Sarah Alpar 0-1
Tony Gravley 1-1
Dusko Todorovic 1-0
Peter Barrett 0-1
TJ Brown 0-2

Combined Record: 37-27
Winning Percentage: 57.8%


Season 4:
Impa Kasanganay 1-1
William knight 1-0
Corey McKenna 1-0
Dustin Jacoby 1-0
Dustin Stoltsufus 0-1
TJ Laramie 0-1
Louis Cosce 0-1

Combined Record 4-4
Winning Percentage: 50%
 
Usually UFC direct signees were champions in other organizations. DWCS signees are not usually.

Not true

UFC usually just pulls exciting fighters from one their feeding leagues when they need people belt or no belt

In fact Contender series guys are people they were going to hire anyway they just audition then first.

A lot of the guys who aren’t picked up on contender series get called up as direct hires when they need a last minute replacement.

EXAMPLE: Kevin Holland was a direct hire after he wasn’t given a contract on contender series
 
All this hate/ criticism against contenders series guys makes no logical sense.

Guys who got contracts off the contender series get the same starting contracts as direct hires.

Fighters recruited to fight on contender series are plucked from the same promotions they get their direct hires.

The is no logical reason fighters coming through one show would be any better or worse than fighters on the other show.

It’s the same people recruiting them.

Imagine if this seasons DWCS fighters were cast on TUF instead or if the TUF guys had to earn a contract through DWCS. Their fighting ability wouldn’t be any different

Honestly, it's better for them that they come through DWCS, it helps them establish a brand with momentum coming into the UFC.

It gives them name recognition when they are on the early prelims of a card when otherwise someone might skip the fight completely.
 
I remember when the UFC was advertising itself as the best in the world. When they would recruit actual talent from wrestling, kickboxing,BJJ, champs from other orgs. Etc.

Now it feels like half Hollywood fight night and half flashy feeder league.
So where are the best in the world fighting?
 
This, also I think TUF has a certain nurturing aspect to it that can really polish rough diamonds. Remember how Gastelum was one of the last picks and with Chaels mentoring rose to his full potential.

Nobody expected much from Kelvin and he ended up winning the whole thing
Marketing wise, It also gave you a chance to get to know these guys out of the cage better and build them as personalities.
Contender series seems to require you to have a family member die or a rough childhood to get on the show.
 
Shill doing shill work. Keep telling yourself that buddy. DWCS is for bums who want to stand and bang and fight for cheap. Every once in a while they will get a good prospect but it is not better than finding good prospects and signing them. Good prospects will wait and sign with Bellator for better money as opposed to going to DWCS.

Try telling Magomed Magomedov who’s beaten Petr Yan to go fight for 4k/4k on DWCS and he’ll spit in your face.
 
So where are the best in the world fighting?
Well the best FLW in the world is in ONE FC and arguably the #2WW in the world is at Bellator. And if you really want to get bad, apparently the people’s MW champion just got released so there is that.
 
Well the best FLW in the world is in ONE FC and arguably the #2WW in the world is at Bellator. And if you really want to get bad, apparently the people’s MW champion just got released so there is that.
So most of the best fighters are in the ufc?
 
See updated stats below

I know you put work into that Zeebs just don't see it's relevance ITT. Unless there is something to compare to then wtf. also has nothing at all to do with pay.

Gonna need some better numbers to work with

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