The inaugural 2017 season of
Dana White's Contender Series included a total of 8 weekly shows. Viewers had a choice of a traditional commentary team, or alternate commentary provided by rapper
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, " ...
and UFC Hall of Famer
Urijah Faber. Commentators included active fighter
Paul Felder
Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder also ...
who would go on to commentate on UFC events.
Week 1 - July 11
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Kurt Holobaugh
Kurt Holobaugh (born September 8, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Mixed martial arts Early career
Holobaugh compiled an amateur ...
, and Boston Salmon
*Zu Anyanwu while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in as a short-notice replacement for
Justin Ledet at
UFC Fight Night 116
''UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 116'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on September 16, 2017 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Backg ...
.
Week 2 - July 18
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Sean O'Malley
Week 3 - July 25
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Karl Roberson
Karl William Roberson (born October 4, 1990) is an American former kickboxer and mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Early life and education
Raised in Neptune Township, New Jers ...
and
Geoff Neal
*
Dan Ige while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in to face
Charles Rosa, who was later replaced by
Julio Arce at
UFC 220.
Week 4 - August 1
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Julian Marquez and
Brandon Davis
*
Kyler Phillips
Kyler Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
At the age of 3, Phillip's father took him to the Gracie Academy out of Torrance, ...
while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in to compete on
The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated.
Week 5 - August 8
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Mike Rodríguez and
Alex Perez
*
Julio Arce while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in as a short-notice replacement for
Dan Ige at
UFC 220.
Week 6 - August 15
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Charles Byrd and
Grant Dawson
Week 7 - August 22
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Benito Lopez and
Joby Sanchez
*
Mike Santiago was not awarded a contract on the show but one week later was signed to the UFC as a short notice replacement for
Nick Hein at
UFC Fight Night 115
''UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 115'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on September 2, 2017 at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Background
A heavy ...
Week 8 - August 29
Contract awards
The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC:
*
Matt Frevola,
Lauren Mueller, and
Allen Crowder
*
Bevon Lewis was signed to a development league contract
References
{{2017 in mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship television series