Fansided MMA
FanSided

Dana White’s Contender Series Season 1 retrospective: Grading the contract winners 3 years later

By Amy Kaplan

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced and was created using multiple exposure in camera). A general view of the Octagon during Dana White's Contender Series at the UFC Apex on July 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced and was created using multiple exposure in camera). A general view of the Octagon during Dana White's Contender Series at the UFC Apex on July 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Looking back at all of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series Season 1 contract winners, three years later.

When the UFC announced it would be hosting a new series called Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series (since shortened to Dana White’s Contender Series) the MMA world was skeptical. How would this be different than The Ultimate Fighter or Dana White: Lookin’ For a Fight? It turns out, three seasons later, to have been one of the best decisions the promotion ever made.

In this piece, we will take a look at each of the fighters to earn contracts from their respective episodes and how they have performed since that first season.

Season 1: Episode 1

Air date: July 11, 2017

Kurt Holobaugh

Kurt Holobaugh earned his UFC contract when he defeated Matt Bessette via a one-punch knockout. Unfortunately, the win was later overturned after he was found to have used an IV prior to the bout. Regardless, Holobaugh went on to fight three times after his Contender Series appearance dropping his fights with Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos and Thiago Moises losing via KO, submission and decision. He was released from the promotion in Dec. 2019.

UFC record: 0-3

Overall record: 17-7

Grade: F

Boston Salmon

Boston Salmon earned his UFC contract when he defeated Ricky Turcios via unanimous decision. he would go on to fight twice in the UFC and dropped both bouts. One of his losses, his big show debut came after a 25-second KO. At press time Salmon was not listed on the UFC roster. It appears that neither of the first two contract winners were able to secure a single win in the UFC.

UFC record 0-2

Overall record 6-3

Grade: F

Season 1: Episode 2

Air date: July 18, 2017

Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley is easily the most recognizable name to have come from the first season of Dana White’s Contender Series. He secured his contract when he defeated the touted prospect, Alfred Khashakyan, via a first-round KO. O’Malley would go on to win his UFC debut via decision at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. He would go on to win his second decision at UFC 222 and that’s’ when things started getting interesting for O’Malley.

He was forced out of his UFC 229 bout when he failed a drug test and was subsequently suspended six months by the NSAC. He was then forced out of a second bout for yet another failed test. The substance is thought to have been leftover from the first infraction.

O’Malley is scheduled to face José Alberto Quiñónez at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020.

UFC record 2-0

Overall record 10-0

Grade: B+

*O’Malley’s grade would have been an A, if not for the USADA infractions. 

HOME/UFC