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

Season 1: Episode 6

Air date: Aug. 15, 2017

Charles Byrd

Charles Byrd earned his UFC contract when he defeated Buddy Wallace via second-round submission. He proved that contract was the right move when he defeated John Phillips via first-round submission in his debut, but went on to drop his last two fights.

UFC record: 1-2

Overall record: 10-6

Grade: D-

Grant Dawson

Grant Dawson earned his big show ticket when he submitted Adrian Diaz in the second round. He then went on to win his two UFC appearances first via decision to Julian Erosa and then most recently a submission victory over Mike Trizano. He’s been scheduled for another two fights but both fell through.

UFC record: 2-0

Overall record: 14-1

Grade: A

Season 1: Episode 7

Air date: Aug. 15, 2017

Benito Lopez

Benito Lopez defeated Steven Peterson via decision to earn his ticket to the big show. He would go on to win two UFC appearances; decision wins over Albert Morales and Vince Morales but when faced with his first real test he lost via first-round submission to Manny Bermudez. This was his only professional loss, to date.

UFC record: 2-1

Overall record: 10-1

Grade: B+

Joby Sanchez

Joby Sanchez earned his UFC contract when he defeated JP Buys via second-round TKO. It was his second Dana White’s Contender Series appearance, having been passed up in episode 1. Unfortunately, he lost his only two UFC appearances when he was defeated by Roberto Sanchez and Mark De La Rosa and was cut from the UFC. He’s gone on to fight three more times (outside of the UFC).

UFC record: 0-2

Overall record: 13-4

Grade: F

Season 1: Episode 8

Air date: Aug. 29, 2017

Matt Frevola

Matt Frevola defeated Jose Flores via second-round submission to earn his ticket to the big show. He lost debut, and then fought to a draw against Lando Vannata then turned it around with back-to-back wins over Jalin Turner and Luis Pena.

UFC record: 2-1-1

Overall record: 8-1-1

Grade: B+

Lauren Mueller

Lauren Mueller defeated Kelly McGill via decision to earn her UFC contract. She would go on to win her UFC debut when she defeated Shana Dobson via decision then dropped her next three. The UFC roster currently has her listed as a “former fighter.”

UFC record: 1-3

Overall record: 5-3

Grade: F

Allen Crowder

Allen Crowder won his UFC contract when he defeated Don’Tale Mayes via third-round TKO. Crowded has fought arguably the hardest of all the fighters on this list losing to Justin Willis and Jairzinho Rozenstruik and winning a bout (via disqualification) to Greg Hardy. He’ll get a bump up in grade due to the level of opponents. Crowder remains under UFC contract.

UFC record: 1-2

Overall record: 10-4

Grade: C-

LOOKING BACK

Total UFC contracts given: 16

Overall, season 1 winners kinda tanked. With a few exceptions, like Sean O’Malley, Matt Frevola and Grant Dawson most of the fighters have gone on to amass losing records under the UFC banner and even a few have already been cut by the promotion.