The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has always been on the lookout for new talent to adorn its octagon and, since 2017, they’ve found it through the exciting reality show “Contender Series”. This year, in its seventh season, the show witnessed several promising Brazilian fighters showcasing their skills and winning coveted contracts with the world’s leading MMA organization.
Week after week, these fighters from Brazil proved their worth, and Dana White, the UFC president, couldn’t help but notice. Here’s a summary of the Brazilian fighters who secured their place in the UFC through this season’s Contender Series.
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Week 1 – August 8th
- César Almeida (middleweight)
- Caio Machado (heavyweight)
Week 2 – August 15th
- Eduarda Moura (straw weight)
Week 3 – August 22nd
- No Brazilians signed
Week 4 – August 29th
- Carlos Prates (middleweight)
Week 5 – September 5th
- Brendson Ribeiro (heavyweight)
- Jean Silva (featherweight)
- Dione Barbosa (flyweight)
Week 6 – September 12th
- Jhonata Diniz (heavyweight)
- Julia Polastri (flyweight)
- Jean Matsumoto (bantamweight)
Week 7 – September 19th
- Igor da Silva (flyweight)
- Stepanhie Luciano (strawweight)
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In the “Contender Series”, these fighters faced each other in scheduled bouts, with the winners earning an immediate contract with the UFC. But even in defeat, the spotlight shone on some fighters who caught Dana White’s eye, earning them a chance to compete in the big leagues.
What makes the Contender Series so exciting is that it offers a platform for emerging talents to prove their worth. It’s not just about winning; it’s about showing heart, determination and skills that can leave a lasting impression on fans and UFC executives.
The current season of the “Contender Series” will end on October 10 and, with the promise shown by these Brazilian fighters, it’s clear that the future of the UFC is in good hands. As these athletes take to the global stage, we can only expect more exciting battles, incredible moments and, perhaps, the emergence of the next Brazilian MMA superstar.