Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6
United States
Main Card • Final
R3, 5:00
UFC Contract Awarded
New Zealand
Brazil
R1, 1:57
UFC Contract Awarded
R3, 5:00
Cameroon
R2, 4:00
UFC Contract Awarded
Japan
Afghanistan
R3, 2:41
UFC Contract Awarded
Official Event Results
Contract
Contract
Official UFC Contract Awards
Dana White’s Contender Series Contract Recipients
UFC Contracts Awarded: Following the conclusion of the event, UFC CEO Dana White officially awarded UFC promotional contracts to four winning athletes: Elijah Smith (bantamweight), Tallison Teixeira (heavyweight), Ateba Gautier (middleweight), and Ahmad Hassanzada (lightweight).
Performance / Fight of the Night: No traditional cash post-fight bonuses were distributed for this Contender Series event.
Reported Payouts & Fighter Purses
Contender Series Purses & Contract Values
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 |
*Purses reflect standard Dana White’s Contender Series compensation agreements ($5,000 to show, $5,000 win bonus) regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Winning fighters awarded UFC contracts receive standard promotional entry-level agreements.
Historic Contender Series Records Set
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 8, Week 6
Dana White awarded promotional contracts to 80% of the card’s winners (Elijah Smith, Tallison Teixeira, Ateba Gautier, and Ahmad Hassanzada), marking one of the highest contract award rates of Season 8.
6-foot-8 heavyweight Tallison Teixeira delivered a blistering 1:57 first-round knockout over Arthur Lopes, becoming the tallest heavyweight signed through the Contender Series in 2024.
Bantamweight Elijah Smith became one of the youngest athletes signed during Season 8, defeating Aaron Tau via unanimous decision to secure a UFC contract at just 21 years old.
Ateba Gautier made promotional history by becoming the first fighter representing Cameroon to earn a direct UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series with a second-round TKO.
After previously competing on DWCS Season 6, Afghanistan’s Ahmad Hassanzada returned to secure a decisive third-round submission finish, officially earning his UFC roster spot.
Welterweight Benjamin Bennett logged 6 completed takedowns and 5 minutes and 46 seconds of control time to secure a gritty split decision victory over Joey Hart.
Elijah Smith (75) and Aaron Tau (76) combined for 151 significant strikes across 15 minutes of non-stop action in the highest-volume bantamweight headliner of the season.
Tallison Teixeira landed a perfect 7 of 7 leg kicks and 20 head strikes inside two minutes before executing a walk-off punch stoppage.
Ahmad Hassanzada overcame a knockdown landed by Dylan Mantello, dominating the final round with over 6 minutes of total grappling control before finding the submission.
Ateba Gautier stuffed 10 of 11 takedowns attempted by Japanese submission specialist Yura Naito, holding him to just 11 total significant strikes over two rounds.
Three of the five bouts on Week 6 concluded inside the distance, featuring two knockout finishes and one technical submission.
Week 6 featured athletes representing the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, and Afghanistan inside the 25-foot Apex Octagon.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6 took place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Elijah Smith and Aaron Tau?
Elijah Smith defeated Aaron Tau via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) in a three-round bantamweight clash, securing a UFC contract.
Which fighters earned UFC contracts on DWCS Season 8, Week 6?
UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to four fighters: Elijah Smith, Tallison Teixeira, Ateba Gautier, and Ahmad Hassanzada.
How did Tallison Teixeira defeat Arthur Lopes?
6-foot-8 heavyweight Tallison Teixeira stopped Arthur Lopes via TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 1 to earn his UFC contract and improve to 9-2.
How did Ateba Gautier win his middleweight bout?
Cameroon’s Ateba Gautier defeated previously unbeaten Japanese prospect Yura Naito via TKO (punches) at 4:00 of Round 2 after landing 48 significant strikes.
How did Ahmad Hassanzada defeat Dylan Mantello?
Ahmad Hassanzada rallied after being knocked down in the early action to submit Dylan Mantello via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:41 of Round 3.
Who won the welterweight bout between Benjamin Bennett and Joey Hart?
Benjamin Bennett defeated Joey Hart via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28), relying on 6 takedowns and 5:46 of top control.
Did Benjamin Bennett receive a UFC contract from Dana White?
No. Despite winning a split decision over Joey Hart, Bennett was the only victorious fighter on the card not offered a contract by Dana White.
How many fights took place on DWCS Season 8, Week 6?
A total of 5 bouts were contested on the card, spanning bantamweight, heavyweight, welterweight, middleweight, and lightweight divisions.
Where was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6 broadcast?
In the United States, the event was broadcast exclusively live on ESPN+.
How old was Elijah Smith when he won his UFC contract?
Elijah Smith was just 21 years old, making him one of the youngest bantamweights signed to the UFC roster in 2024.
How many finishes occurred on this event?
Three of the five fights ended via stoppage: two knockouts (Tallison Teixeira and Ateba Gautier) and one technical submission (Ahmad Hassanzada).
Was this Dylan Mantello’s first time on Dana White’s Contender Series?
No. Mantello previously fought on Season 7 of DWCS in 2023, making this his second appearance on the developmental program.
Who called the action for DWCS Season 8, Week 6?
The broadcast team featured lead play-by-play commentator Brendan Fitzgerald alongside analysts Michael Bisping and Paul Felder, with Joe Martinez as cage announcer.
What is the standard fighter payout for Dana White’s Contender Series?
Contender Series athletes compete under standard promotional developmental purses of $5,000 to show and a $5,000 win bonus, with contract winners advancing to entry-level UFC promotional deals.
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