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Jamahal Hill reacts after his TKO victory over Thiago Santos of Brazil in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Athletes

Champions From Dana White’s Contender Series

Take A Look At The Two Champions, Plus A Handful Of Title Contenders, Who Got Their UFC Start On Dana White’s Contender Series

Each year, UFC CEO Dana White raves about what takes place on Tuesday nights in the summer. His passion for Dana White’s Contender Series stems from the exciting nature of opportunity as the fights deliver and the athletes deliver – they have to – or else there won’t be a UFC contract to sign.

What also makes DWCS special is the wide net of top mixed martial arts prospects from around the world that get their chance in the spotlight. DWCS is a perfect blend of the unknown combined with the spotlight that can create instant star power.

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Since DWCS started in 2017, the show has produced hundreds of UFC fighters – with many working their way up the ladder to become contenders in their respective divisions. Two DWCS alums won UFC titles in 2023, which is just further proof that the show is the ultimate funnel for a new generation of fighters.

Full Miami Fight Card Preview

Here, we recap the careers thus far of the top fighters to come from DWCS, as well as future title contenders with upcoming bouts.

Champions From Dana White’s Contender Series

Sean O’Malley

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series: Sean O'Malley Highlights
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Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series: Sean O'Malley Highlights
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There is no doubt that “Suga” Sean is the biggest superstar to come from the show. O’Malley burst onto the scene with a viral performance called by Snoop Dogg on season one and he hasn’t slowed down.

O’Malley’s UFC career since DWCS has been full of walk-off knockouts, dominant performances, and controversy. There has truly been a little bit of everything, and it’s been incredible to watch O’Malley build his brand into one of the biggest in the sport.

At UFC 292, O’Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling to become the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion. With the performance, he became the second DWCS fighter to win a belt and, more importantly, he accomplished what he had been manifesting since 2017.

UFC 299 Embedded

This weekend, O’Malley is slated to make his first title defense when he faces Marlon “Chito” Vera for the second time. The two have plenty of history – with Vera handing O’Malley his lone defeat in 2020. The bout is headlining UFC 299 in Miami and O’Malley will be sporting pink shorts to match the vibe.

With a win over Vera, O’Malley would become the first DWCS alum to successfully defend a UFC title.

Jamahal Hill

Jamahal Hill | Top Finishes
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Jamahal Hill | Top Finishes
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On season three of DWCS, UFC fans were introduced to Jamahal Hill, the dean of Touch ‘em Up University.

The man also known as “Sweet Dreams” started his run to the light heavyweight title in January of 2020. He beat Ovince Saint Preux, Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos on the way to a title shot versus Glover Teixeira.

At UFC 282, the light heavyweight title was up for grabs between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev, but with the fight ending in a draw, the UFC selected former champ Teixeira and rising contender Hill to fight for the gold in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 283.

Jamahal Hill Talks UFC 300 Main Event
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Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there’s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world’s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!

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Jamahal Hill Talks UFC 300 Main Event
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Hill stepped up to the plate and put on the performance of a lifetime, handling everything that Teixeira threw his way while besting the legendary light heavyweight in dominant fashion. Hill’s win made him the first fighter from DWCS to become a UFC champion. Unfortunately, Hill suffered a significant injury, forcing him to relinquish the title.

How To Watch UFC 299 In Your Country

In February of 2024, it was announced that Hill would return to action against current champ Alex Pereira, with the two light heavyweights serving as the main event for UFC 300. It’s a massive fight on a massive milestone event for the UFC – and it’s headlined by a DWCS alum.

Potential Title Contenders From Dana White’s Contender Series

Maycee Barber

The Rise Of Maycee Barber
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The Rise Of Maycee Barber
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When Maycee Barber got her shot on season two of Dana White’s Contender Series, she was a 19-year-old undefeated prospect with all the hype in the world.

Initially a strawweight, she chose to make the move up to flyweight early in her UFC tenure. She suffered a knee injury in her first professional loss, which sidelined her for over a year. She returned to the Octagon in February of 2021, losing a decision to Alexa Grasso. Although she didn’t win, there were plenty of positive moments in the fight with Grasso that propelled Barber to a five-fight win streak.

Maycee Barber celebrates her TKO victory over Amanda Ribas of Brazil in their women's flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on June 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
Maycee Barber celebrates her TKO victory over Amanda Ribas of Brazil in their women's flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on June 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

Barber’s impressive win streak saw her defeat Miranda Maverick, Montana De La Rosa, Jessica Eye, Andrea Lee, and Amanda Ribas. While Barber was putting together those wins, Grasso put together a championship run and set herself up for a trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko.

With six victories in-a-row and history with Grasso, the makings of a fight could be on the horizon for one of DWCS’ finest.

Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida Submits Porter In Round 1 | UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Vieira
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Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there’s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world’s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!

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Jailton Almeida Submits Porter In Round 1 | UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Vieira
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On season five of DWCS, the light heavyweight division thought they were getting a dominant force added to the ranks. But after winning his UFC debut at light heavyweight, Jailton Almeida decided to move up to heavyweight.

RELATED: UFC 299 Main Event Spotlight

The Brazilian grappler has been an absolute problem for each of the five heavyweight fighters he’s stepped into the Octagon with, beating Parker Porter, Anton Turkalj, Shamil Abdurakhimov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Derrick Lewis. Of those wins, Almeida finished all but Lewis, and he’s currently on a 15-fight winning streak.

Jailton Almeida | Best Finishes
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Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there’s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world’s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!

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Jailton Almeida | Best Finishes
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The wins over Rozenstruik and Lewis were both main event spotlights for Almeida. The fight with Lewis was initially scheduled to be a showdown with Curtis Blaydes, but an injury to Blaydes forced the fight to be postponed and at UFC 299 the two will finally get to tango.

Almeida’s grappling-heavy style and dangerous submission game have caused his opponents fits, but with Blaydes’ excellent grappling skill set, we are set to learn a lot about Almeida and if he’s ready to compete for the heavyweight title against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall.

Brendan Allen

Brendan Allen Sit Down Interview With Brendan Fitzgerald
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Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass! Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there’s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world’s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!

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Brendan Allen Sit Down Interview With Brendan Fitzgerald
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Since earning a contract on season three, middleweight Brendan Allen has secured the second most wins by a fighter from DWCS. “All In” Allen has 11 UFC victories, including six in a row. What’s made Allen’s run particularly impressive is that he’s finished five of those six wins, and his only UFC losses have come against Chris Curtis and Sean Strickland.

MMA Coaches Break Down O'Malley vs Vera 2

Allen’s last fight out was his first UFC main event, in a showdown with submission specialist Paul Craig. He submitted Craig early in the third round and proved that he’s ready for a run at the top tier of the 185-pound division.

The Louisiana native is scheduled to face former title challenger Marvin Vettori in the main event of a UFC Fight Night event taking place in Las Vegas on April 6. It’s great timing for Allen to stack another win and stake his claim as one of the future challengers for the middleweight belt.

Order UFC 299: O'Malley vs Vera 2

UFC 299: O'Malley vs Vera 2 took place live from Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on March 9, 2024. See the final Prelims & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass