Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8
United States
Main Card • Final
R2, 3:32
UFC Contract Awarded
Jamaica
R2, 2:47
Development Contract
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
UFC Contract Awarded
R3, 4:12
UFC Contract Awarded
Official Event Results
UFC Contract
Official Contract Awards
UFC Contract Winners (Dana White’s Contender Series)
UFC Contract: Matt Frevola earned an official UFC contract with his second-round arm-triangle choke submission over Jose Flores.
UFC Contract: Lauren Mueller secured a UFC contract following a dominant three-round striking clinic against Kelly Velasco.
UFC Contract: Allen Crowder captured a UFC contract by overcoming heavyweight prospect Don’Tale Mayes via third-round TKO.
Developmental Contract: Bevon Lewis was signed to a special UFC developmental league contract following his vicious second-round knockout of Elias Urbina.
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 | |
| 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 |
*Disclosed purses reported by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Competitors on Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series were paid a flat $5,000 show purse and a $5,000 win bonus. Traditional post-fight performance cash bonuses are not awarded on DWCS; selected athletes earn official UFC promotional contracts instead.
Historic Contender Series Records Set
Promotional Milestones Established at DWCS Season 1, Week 8
Week 8 marked the grand finale of the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series, concluding the successful 8-week summer experiment that revolutionized UFC talent recruitment.
Dana White awarded three official UFC promotional contracts on the evening to Matt Frevola, Lauren Mueller, and Allen Crowder, alongside a developmental contract for Bevon Lewis.
With three contracts awarded on Week 8, Season 1 finished with a total of 16 UFC contracts handed out across 8 events and 40 bouts, launching the promotional careers of several future UFC mainstays.
New York lightweight Matt Frevola preserved his undefeated professional record by submitting Jose Flores with an arm-triangle choke at 3:32 of Round 2, punching his ticket to the UFC roster.
Allen Crowder survived a grueling heavyweight brawl to finish Don’Tale Mayes with ground-and-pound elbows and punches at 4:12 of Round 3, becoming the sole heavyweight signee of Season 1.
Bevon Lewis became the first fighter in Contender Series history to receive a specialized UFC developmental league contract after delivering a dominant second-round TKO over Elias Urbina.
Lauren Mueller became the first female bantamweight to earn a UFC contract on DWCS, sweeping all three scorecards (30-27, 30-26, 30-27) against Kelly Velasco with an 85-significant-strike performance.
Adam Antolin and future UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney combined for 161 landed significant strikes across 15 high-paced minutes, resulting in a razor-thin split decision win for Antolin.
With three finishes in five bouts on Week 8 (two TKOs and one submission), Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series concluded with an impressive 65% finish rate across 40 bouts.
Week 8 was the final event of the inaugural season produced inside the intimate Ultimate Fighter Training Center in Las Vegas before the series eventually moved to the state-of-the-art UFC APEX.
Week 8 concluded the debut season of the viral “SnoopCast” alternate audio broadcast, featuring hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber providing live, uncensored commentary.
The Season 1 finale established the Contender Series as the sport’s premier talent pipeline, with alumni Matt Frevola, Allen Crowder, and Don’Tale Mayes going on to compete extensively inside the Octagon.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8 took place on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Matt Frevola and Jose Flores?
Matt Frevola defeated Jose Flores via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:32 of Round 2 in their lightweight headline bout.
Which fighters earned UFC contracts on Week 8?
Dana White awarded official UFC promotional contracts to Matt Frevola, Lauren Mueller, and Allen Crowder. Additionally, Bevon Lewis was signed to a specialized developmental league contract.
Who won the co-main event between Bevon Lewis and Elias Urbina?
Bevon Lewis defeated Elias Urbina via TKO (punches) at 2:47 of Round 2 in their middleweight encounter.
Why did Bevon Lewis receive a developmental contract instead of a full UFC contract?
Dana White felt that despite his tremendous physical talent and knockout victory, Bevon Lewis needed additional seasoning and experience before stepping into the UFC middleweight division, placing him on an exclusive developmental deal.
How did Allen Crowder defeat Don’Tale Mayes?
Allen Crowder dragged Don’Tale Mayes to the canvas in the third round and unleashed ground-and-pound elbows and punches to earn a TKO stoppage at 4:12 of Round 3.
Who won the flyweight bout between Adam Antolin and Casey Kenney?
Adam Antolin defeated Casey Kenney via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in a competitive 15-minute flyweight matchup.
How did Lauren Mueller earn her UFC contract against Kelly Velasco?
Lauren Mueller dominated the striking exchanges from the opening bell, landing 85 significant strikes to win a lopsided unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–27) over Kelly Velasco.
How many total contracts were awarded during Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series?
Across the 8-week inaugural season, a total of 16 fighters earned official UFC promotional contracts, including future contenders like Sean O’Malley, Geoff Neal, and Alex Perez.
How was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8 broadcast?
The entire 5-bout card was streamed live and exclusively around the world on UFC Fight Pass.
Who called the fights for this event?
The primary broadcast booth was led by play-by-play announcer Dan Hellie and UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder, alongside in-cage announcer Joe Martinez and reporter Laura Sanko.
What was the SnoopCast broadcast?
The SnoopCast was an optional alternate audio feed on UFC Fight Pass featuring rap icon Snoop Dogg and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber providing colorful, unscripted live commentary.
How much were fighters paid on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 1?
According to purses disclosed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, all competitors received a $5,000 base purse to show, with bout winners earning an additional $5,000 win bonus for a $10,000 total payout.
Did Don’Tale Mayes ever make it to the UFC after losing to Allen Crowder?
Yes. Don’Tale Mayes returned to the Contender Series on Season 2 and Season 3, eventually earning a UFC contract in 2019 after knocking out Ricardo Prasel.
Was there a public live audience for Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 8?
No. DWCS Season 1 was held in a private, closed-studio environment inside the UFC Training Center with attendance limited to corners, family members, promotional executives, and production staff.
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