Updated

Updated · The Action Network · Aug 11

Dana White's Contender Series Opens 10-Week Season With 5 Fights for UFC Contracts

Updated

Updated · The Action Network · Aug 11

Dana White's Contender Series Opens 10-Week Season With 5 Fights for UFC Contracts

Q: After shocking upsets shattered pre-fight predictions on DWCS Week 1, which underdog just secured a life-changing UFC contract?

Joe Kropschot was one of the key underdogs to turn a surprise result into a UFC deal at Dana White’s Contender Series Week 1. Kropschot entered his middleweight bout as an underdog against the unbeaten Jon Kunneman, who had been widely backed in pre-fight analysis. Instead, Kropschot weathered the pressure, outworked Kunneman over three rounds, and won by unanimous decision. His performance was strong enough that Dana White awarded him a UFC contract afterward. He was not the only underdog to cash in. Tom Pagliarulo, also an underdog before facing Ananias Mulumba, rallied to score a third-round TKO and earned a contract as well. The other two fighters signed on the night were favorites Anthony Wint and Bilal Hasan. So, if the question is which underdog secured a life-changing UFC contract after upsetting the odds, Joe Kropschot is a clear answer, with Tom Pagliarulo also fitting that description.

3 articles · Updated · The Action Network · Aug 11

Five bouts headline Dana White's Contender Series Week 1 on Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where winners — and potentially some losers — can still earn UFC contracts.
7 p.m. ET on Paramount+ marks the start of Season 10, Episode 1, with Dana White cageside to decide which performances from roughly 100 hopefuls across the 10-week run merit UFC deals.
Bilal Hasan enters as the card's biggest favorite at around -3600 against Mridul Saikia, while Anthony Wint is also heavily backed at -750 in the heavyweight matchup with Matt Adams.
The closest betting lines are Jon Kunneman vs. Joseph Kropschot at middleweight and Fabricio Escarrega vs. Abe Alsaghir at lightweight, with Ananias Mulumba favored in his second Contender Series appearance.
The series has become the UFC's main feeder system for new talent, turning Tuesday's Las Vegas card into an early test of which prospects can translate regional success into roster spots.