The inaugural 2017 season of

Dana White's Contender Series Dana White's Contender Series, formerly named Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, is an American mixed martial arts promotion. In May 2017, the UFC announced White would hold the competition weekly on UFC Fight Pass (It has since been mov ...

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), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, he is widely regarded as one of t ...

and UFC Hall of Famer

Urijah Faber Urijah Christopher Faber ( ; born May 14, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist and actor. He competed in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the founder of Team Alpha Male ...

. Commentators included active fighter Paul Felder 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 re ...

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 Justin Wayne Ledet (born September 28, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional since 2010, he has most notably competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Backgro ...

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. Backgr ...

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 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 Jersey. Rober ...

and

Geoff Neal Geoffrey Charles Neal (born August 28, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of May 20, 2025, he is #11 in the UFC welterweight ...

Dan Ige Daniel Alexander Ige ( ; born August 6, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2014, he has also competed for ...

while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in to face

Charles Rosa Charles Rosa (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional since 2012, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background ...

, who was later replaced by

Julio Arce Julio Arce (born October 27, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist. He was the former Ring of Combat bantamweight and featherweight champion. He also won the Golden Gloves 2011 Championship. Arce competed in the Bantamweight division in the ...

UFC 220 ''UFC 220: Miocic vs. Ngannou'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on January 20, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Background A UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between curren ...

Week 4 - August 1

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: *

Julian Marquez Julian Marquez (born May 8, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Marquez was born and raised in Kansas City, Misso ...

and

Brandon Davis Brandon Michael Davis (born May 8, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Davis began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 20, while ...

Kyler Phillips Kyler John Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 27, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC bantamweight ra ...

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 *

while not being offered a contract on the show was brought in as a short-notice replacement for

Week 6 - August 15

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: * Charles Byrd and

Grant Dawson Grant Michael Dawson (born February 20, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 1, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC lightweight rankings. Backgr ...

Week 7 - August 22

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the UFC: *

Benito Lopez Benito Francisco Lopez (born 6 April 1994) is an American mixed martial artist. He most recently competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Combat career Mixed martial arts career Early career In Ap ...

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 Nick Hein (born April 24, 1984) is a German retired mixed martial artist and actor, who is best known for appearing in the German television show '' Diese Kaminskis''. Before Hein became an actor, he was also a national judo champion and police o ...

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 Matthew Kenneth Frevola (born June 11, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2014, he has also competed for the Wor ...

Lauren Mueller Lauren Mueller (born November 15, 1991) is an American former mixed martial artist, who fought in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor from 2015 to 2021, she competed in the UFC, Invicta FC, and Gladiator Challenge. Background M ...

, and

Allen Crowder Allen Crowder (born November 8, 1989) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Allen Crowder's nickname "Pretty Boy" comes from his amateur care ...

Bevon Lewis Bevon Kareem Lewis (born May 5, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight (MMA), light heavyweight division. A professional since 2015, he has also competed for Professional Fighters League (PFL), Ultimate Fi ...

was signed to a development league contract

References

{{2017 in mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship television series