Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 7 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 7
United States
Main Card • Final
Nigeria
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
UFC Contract Awarded
R2, 2:28
UFC Contract Awarded
South Africa
R1, 2:59
R1, 1:23
Official Event Results
Contract Awarded
Official Contract Awards
UFC Promotional Contracts Awarded
UFC Contracts Awarded: At the conclusion of the event, UFC President Dana White officially awarded UFC promotional contracts to bantamweight Benito Lopez and flyweight Joby Sanchez.
Special Roster Call-Up: While not initially awarded a contract on the broadcast, featherweight victor Mike Santiago was signed to the UFC roster just seven days later as a short-notice replacement to face Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC Fight Night 115.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Contract Details
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Official fighter base purses and win bonuses for Dana White’s Contender Series are not publicly disclosed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). In lieu of post-fight monetary bonuses, official promotional contracts with the UFC were awarded to Benito Lopez and Joby Sanchez.
Historic Promotional Records Set
Promotional Benchmarks Established at DWCS Season 1, Week 7
Joby Sanchez became the first fighter in Contender Series history to fight twice in Season 1 (previously winning on Week 1) and successfully earn a UFC contract.
Dana White officially awarded UFC contracts to bantamweight victor Benito Lopez and flyweight knockout winner Joby Sanchez at the conclusion of the event.
Kennedy Nzechukwu connected on 102 significant strikes out of 311 attempts against Anton Berzin, establishing a Season 1 light heavyweight record.
Benito Lopez (77) and Steven Peterson (82) combined for 159 significant strikes across three frantic rounds, earning Lopez a promotional contract.
Jordan Espinosa recorded an anaconda choke technical submission over Nick Urso in just 1:23 of Round 1, marking the fastest submission of DWCS Season 1.
Mike Santiago stopped Mark Cherico via punches in under three minutes of the opening round, marking his ninth consecutive career victory.
Although initially left without a contract on fight night, Mike Santiago was signed to the UFC just seven days later to face Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC Fight Night 115.
Joby Sanchez completed his only takedown attempt and out-landed JP Buys 25 to 15 in significant strikes en route to a dominant second-round TKO.
Week 7 featured the dual-feed broadcast model on UFC Fight Pass, offering fans an uncensored alternative commentary track by Snoop Dogg alongside traditional booth commentary.
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Anton Berzin was the only light heavyweight bout across all eight weeks of DWCS Season 1 to conclude in a split decision.
Both flyweight bouts on the card ended inside the distance (Espinosa by submission and Sanchez by TKO), highlighting the division’s finish rate.
Week 7 served as the second-to-last installment of the groundbreaking first season of Dana White’s Contender Series at the UFC Training Center.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 7 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 7 took place on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Kennedy Nzechukwu and Anton Berzin?
Kennedy Nzechukwu defeated Anton Berzin via split decision (29–27, 28–29, 29–27) after landing 102 significant strikes over three rounds.
Who earned UFC contracts at DWCS Season 1, Week 7?
UFC President Dana White awarded UFC contracts to bantamweight Benito Lopez and flyweight Joby Sanchez.
Why was Joby Sanchez fighting on DWCS for the second time?
Joby Sanchez previously won a decision on Week 1 of Season 1 but was not awarded a contract. He was invited back for Week 7, where he stopped JP Buys via second-round TKO to officially secure his UFC deal.
Did Mike Santiago get signed to the UFC despite not getting a contract on the night?
Yes. Although not awarded a contract directly after his first-round knockout over Mark Cherico, Santiago was signed by the UFC just one week later to replace Nick Hein against Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC Fight Night 115.
What was the result of Benito Lopez vs. Steven Peterson?
Benito Lopez defeated Steven Peterson via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in a three-round slugfest that earned Lopez an official UFC contract.
How fast was Jordan Espinosa’s submission of Nick Urso?
Jordan Espinosa secured an anaconda choke technical submission at 1:23 of Round 1, recording the fastest submission of DWCS Season 1.
Where was the event broadcast?
The event streamed exclusively worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.
Who provided the alternative commentary for the event?
Viewers could select the “SnoopCast” feed featuring rapper Snoop Dogg alongside UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, while the primary booth was called by Dan Hellie and Paul Felder.
What venue hosted DWCS Season 1, Week 7?
The card was held inside the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, before the construction of the UFC Apex.
How many fights ended in a finish on the card?
Three of the five bouts ended inside the distance: Jordan Espinosa (Submission), Mike Santiago (KO), and Joby Sanchez (TKO).
How many strikes did Kennedy Nzechukwu throw against Anton Berzin?
Nzechukwu threw 312 total strikes (landing 103) and 311 significant strike attempts (landing 102), setting a division record for the series.
What weight divisions were featured at DWCS Season 1, Week 7?
The event featured one light heavyweight bout, one bantamweight bout, one featherweight bout, and two flyweight bouts.
Was there a public live gate or attendance?
No. DWCS Season 1 events were held in a closed studio environment at the UFC Training Center with only fighters, corners, UFC personnel, and invited VIP guests.
How many bouts were featured on the fight card?
The event featured 5 official bouts on the main card.
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