Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 1:19
UFC Contract Awarded
Brazil
R3, 0:20
Germany
R3, 5:00
Both Awarded Contracts
Lithuania
R3, 5:00
Both Awarded Contracts
R1, 3:02
UFC Contract Awarded
Mexico
Official Event Results
Both Signed
Both Signed
Official Contract Awards
Record 6 UFC Contract Recipients
UFC Contracts Awarded: UFC CEO Dana White awarded an unprecedented six UFC promotional contracts—the most in a single night in Contender Series history. Contracts were awarded to knockout artists Danny Barlow and Vinicius Oliveira, as well as all four participants from the two historic slugfests: Danny Silva, Angel Pacheco, Ernesta Kareckaite, and Carli Judice.
Bonus Notes: No traditional post-fight cash performance bonuses ($50,000 FOTN/POTN) are officially issued on Contender Series cards; competitors fight directly for UFC promotional contracts.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 |
*Purses reflect standard baseline contract figures for Dana White’s Contender Series ($5,000 to show, $5,000 to win) under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Contracts are awarded at the promoter’s discretion.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8
Dana White handed out six official UFC promotional contracts in a single night—the most in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series.
For the first time on a single DWCS fight card, two defeated fighters (Angel Pacheco and Carli Judice) were awarded UFC contracts due to their exceptional displays of heart and volume.
Danny Silva (204) and Angel Pacheco (197) combined for 401 significant strikes landed out of 808 attempts, smashing the all-time three-round significant strike record in DWCS history.
Angel Pacheco became the first fighter in Dana White’s Contender Series history to throw over 500 total strikes (502) in a single three-round contest.
Ernesta Kareckaite (440) and Carli Judice (311) combined for 751 total strike attempts, establishing the highest volume striking battle in women’s DWCS history.
Brazil’s Vinicius Oliveira scored one of the cleanest knockouts of Season 7, ending Victor Madrigal with a devastating left hand at 3:02 of Round 1 to earn a contract.
Danny Barlow preserved his unblemished professional record with a blistering 79-second TKO victory over Raheam Forest in the evening’s main event.
Mario Piazzon set a DWCS heavyweight record by attempting 26 takedowns and landing 13, controlling over 7 minutes and 30 seconds of the contest.
The heavyweight contest between Mario Piazzon and Alexander Soldatkin concluded in a rare disqualification after Soldatkin landed a prohibited grounded knee to the head in Round 3.
Ernesta Kareckaite made combat sports history by becoming the first female fighter representing Lithuania to earn a UFC promotional contract through the Contender Series.
Despite absorbing 197 significant strikes, Danny Silva swept all three judges’ scorecards 30-27 in a fight widely considered the greatest bout in Contender Series history.
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8 marked the 64th live Contender Series event hosted inside the Meta APEX facility in Las Vegas.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8 took place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Danny Barlow and Raheam Forest?
Danny Barlow defeated Raheam Forest via TKO (punches) at 1:19 of Round 1 in their welterweight headliner to secure a UFC contract.
How many fighters earned UFC contracts on Season 7, Week 8?
A promotional record of six fighters earned UFC contracts from Dana White: Danny Barlow, Danny Silva, Angel Pacheco, Ernesta Kareckaite, Carli Judice, and Vinicius Oliveira.
Why did Dana White award contracts to losing fighters Angel Pacheco and Carli Judice?
Both Angel Pacheco and Carli Judice engaged in two of the most relentless, record-breaking wars in Contender Series history. Dana White was so impressed by their grit and output that he awarded contracts to both the winners and the losers of those bouts.
What striking record was set in Danny Silva vs. Angel Pacheco?
Danny Silva and Angel Pacheco combined for 401 significant strikes landed out of 808 attempts—the highest combined significant strike output in Contender Series history. Silva won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
How did Vinicius Oliveira defeat Victor Madrigal?
Vinicius Oliveira delivered a highlight-reel walk-off punch knockout at 3:02 of Round 1, immediately earning praise from Dana White and a spot on the UFC roster.
Why was Alexander Soldatkin disqualified against Mario Piazzon?
Soldatkin landed an illegal grounded knee to the head of Mario Piazzon at 0:20 of Round 3. Piazzon was unable to continue, resulting in a disqualification victory for Piazzon. Neither fighter was awarded a UFC contract.
What was the result of Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Carli Judice?
Lithuania’s Ernesta Kareckaite defeated Carli Judice via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in a three-round war that featured 751 total strike attempts.
How many takedowns did Mario Piazzon land before the disqualification?
Mario Piazzon landed 13 of 26 takedown attempts and controlled over 7 minutes of the fight before the illegal strike ended the contest.
How many fights took place on Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8?
A full slate of 5 bouts took place across welterweight, heavyweight, featherweight, women’s flyweight, and bantamweight divisions.
Were traditional post-fight performance bonuses awarded?
No traditional $50,000 cash performance bonuses were awarded; instead, fighters competed for life-changing UFC contracts, of which an all-time record six were handed out.
How quickly did Danny Barlow finish Raheam Forest?
Danny Barlow needed only 1 minute and 19 seconds of the opening round to stop Raheam Forest with strikes.
Where was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 7, Week 8 broadcast?
In the United States, the entire five-bout card streamed live exclusively on ESPN+.
Who called the fights on commentary?
The cageside broadcast booth featured play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color commentators Paul Felder and Michael Bisping, with Laura Sanko conducting post-fight interviews.
What makes this episode unique in Contender Series history?
This event stands as the most prolific signing night in DWCS history, producing six signees, two of the highest-volume striking fights in promotional history, and the rare distinction of multiple losing competitors being signed directly to the UFC roster.
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