Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 1 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 1
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 0:08
R3, 1:37
R1, 0:57
R3, 2:15
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
Official Contract Awards
UFC Promotional Contract Recipients
UFC Contract Awarded: Alonzo Menifield earned a direct UFC promotional contract after scoring an 8-second knockout in the light heavyweight main event.
Developmental Contract: Former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy was signed to an exclusive UFC developmental league contract following his 57-second knockout of Austen Lane.
No Traditional Bonus Awarded: Dana White’s Contender Series events do not award traditional $50,000 post-fight cash bonuses; fighters compete exclusively for promotional contracts with the UFC.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Contract Information
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Official fighter purses were not publicly disclosed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for this Contender Series event. Standard bout agreements for Contender Series prospects are structured with show and win payments, but official compensation remained undisclosed by regulatory policy. Official UFC contracts were awarded to Alonzo Menifield and Greg Hardy (developmental agreement).
Historic Promotional Records Set
Milestones Established at Season 2, Week 1
Alonzo Menifield demolished Dashawn Boatwright in just 8 seconds of Round 1, establishing the fastest knockout in Dana White’s Contender Series history at the time.
Former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy made his professional MMA debut, landing a devastating right hand to knock out fellow former NFL player Austen Lane in just 57 seconds.
Montel Jackson overcame two separate point deductions (illegal elbow in round 1 and eye poke in round 3) to stop Rico DiSciullo with a knee and punches at 2:15 of Round 3.
Chris Curtis executed one of the cleanest spinning hook kicks in promotional history against Sean Lally, finishing him with follow-up punches at 1:37 of Round 3.
Season 2, Week 1 served as the launchpad for one of the most successful talent classes in series history, featuring future UFC ranked competitors Kevin Holland, Alonzo Menifield, Montel Jackson, and Chris Curtis.
Despite missing out on an immediate contract, Kevin Holland landed 83 significant strikes against Will Santiago Jr., impressing UFC brass enough to earn a promotional debut against Thiago Santos at UFC 227 just two months later.
Four of the five bouts on the card concluded by knockout or technical knockout, delivering an action-packed 80% finish rate to inaugurate Season 2.
Hardy vs. Lane was the first fight in UFC/DWCS history to feature two former NFL defensive linemen competing against one another inside the Octagon.
After scoring a stoppage win in Season 1, Alonzo Menifield became one of the first athletes to return for a second season and punch his ticket to the official UFC roster.
The card kicked off the 2018 summer season at the UFC Training Center / TUF Gym in Las Vegas, showcasing the intimate setting and immediate sound of cage-side action.
Chris Curtis landed 84 of 120 total strikes against Sean Lally, operating at a surgical 70% connection rate before scoring his highlight-reel finish.
Menifield, Curtis, Hardy, and Jackson each defended 100% of takedowns attempted against them, controlling every phase of their fights on the feet.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 1 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 2, Week 1 took place on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who was awarded a UFC contract at Season 2, Week 1?
UFC President Dana White awarded an official UFC promotional contract to Alonzo Menifield and signed former NFL player Greg Hardy to an exclusive developmental contract.
How fast was Alonzo Menifield’s knockout victory?
Alonzo Menifield knocked out Dashawn Boatwright in just 8 seconds of Round 1, establishing the fastest knockout in Contender Series history at the time.
How did Greg Hardy defeat Austen Lane?
In his professional MMA debut, former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy landed a flush right hand to stop former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane via TKO at 0:57 of Round 1.
Did Kevin Holland earn a UFC contract at this event?
Kevin Holland defeated Will Santiago Jr. via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27). While he was not awarded a contract on the broadcast, his entertaining performance earned him a short-notice UFC debut against Thiago Santos at UFC 227 just two months later.
How did Chris Curtis finish Sean Lally?
Chris Curtis landed a highlight-reel spinning hook kick that dropped Sean Lally, followed by ground strikes to secure a TKO victory at 1:37 of Round 3.
What happened during the Montel Jackson vs. Rico DiSciullo fight?
Montel Jackson had two points deducted for accidental fouls (an elbow to the back of the head in round 1 and an eye poke in round 3) but rallied to finish Rico DiSciullo via TKO (knee and punches) at 2:15 of Round 3.
Where was Season 2 of the Contender Series filmed?
Season 2 was filmed live inside the UFC Training Center / TUF Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, prior to the opening of the UFC Apex facility.
Who were the commentators for this event?
The live broadcast on UFC Fight Pass was called by play-by-play announcer Dan Hellie alongside UFC fighters Paul Felder and Michael Bisping, with Joe Martinez serving as the cage announcer and Laura Sanko conducting post-fight interviews.
Were there cash performance bonuses awarded at this event?
No. Dana White’s Contender Series does not distribute traditional $50,000 cash bonuses; fighters compete directly for life-changing UFC promotional contracts.
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