Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 1 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 1
United States
Main Card • Final
R1, 2:59
R2, 3:04
R3, 5:00
R1, 4:55
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
Official Contract Awards
UFC Promotional Contract Recipients
UFC Contracts: Promotional president Dana White officially awarded UFC contracts to Kurt Holobaugh and Boston Salmon following their standout performances on the series premiere.
*Holobaugh Overturn Note: Holobaugh’s contract was temporarily suspended after the NSAC overturned his knockout victory to a No Contest due to unlawful pre-fight IV usage.
^Short-Notice Call-Up: While not originally awarded a contract on the broadcast, heavyweight knockout winner Azunna Anyanwu was signed to the UFC shortly after to step in as a short-notice replacement at UFC Fight Night 116.
Performance Bonuses: Traditional UFC post-fight cash bonuses (FOTN / POTN) are not distributed on Dana White’s Contender Series events.
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 | |
| NC | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| NC | $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 Dana White’s Contender Series baseline payouts regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission ($5,000 to show, $5,000 win bonus). Kurt Holobaugh’s win purse was initially paid upon victory but was subject to administrative review after his pre-fight IV usage was ruled a violation by the NSAC.
Historic UFC & DWCS Records Set
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 1, Week 1
Season 1, Week 1 served as the official premiere of Dana White’s Contender Series (originally Tuesday Night Contender Series), creating the premier pipeline for UFC talent scouting.
Kurt Holobaugh and Boston Salmon made promotional history by becoming the very first fighters ever to be awarded official UFC contracts by Dana White on the Contender Series.
Charles Byrd authored the first stoppage victory in Contender Series history, forcing Jamie Pickett to verbally submit to an arm-triangle choke with just five seconds left in round one.
Heavyweight Azunna Anyanwu etched his name into series lore by scoring the first knockout in Contender Series history, dropping Greg Rebello at 3:04 of round two.
Flyweight contender Joby Sanchez earned the first official victory and first decision in DWCS history, overcoming an opening-round knockdown to sweep Manny Vazquez 29-27 across the scorecards.
The card featured the debut of the alternate commentary broadcast featuring hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, pioneering alternate audio feeds in MMA.
Boston Salmon and future TUF champion Ricky Turcios combined for 492 total strikes thrown, establishing the highest single-fight striking output across the entire eight-week inaugural season.
Ricky Turcios threw an astonishing 312 total strikes across 15 minutes of non-stop action, setting a three-round volume record for the inaugural Contender Series season.
Kurt Holobaugh’s blistering 2:59 knockout over Matt Bessette became the first fight in series history to be overturned to a No Contest by the NSAC following prohibited IV rehydration disclosure.
Despite not earning a contract on the broadcast, heavyweight winner Azunna Anyanwu was signed by the UFC just two months later as a short-notice replacement at UFC Fight Night 116.
Holobaugh’s aggressive performance began a resilient promotional path that culminated in him capturing The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight crown six years later in 2023.
Though edged on the scorecards, Ricky Turcios’s relentless pressure showcased the fighting spirit that eventually propelled him to win The Ultimate Fighter 29 bantamweight tournament in 2021.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 1 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 1 took place on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who fought in the main event between Kurt Holobaugh and Matt Bessette?
Kurt Holobaugh originally defeated Matt Bessette via knockout (punches) at 2:59 of Round 1, but the result was later ruled a No Contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Why was the main event result overturned to a No Contest?
The NSAC overturned Holobaugh’s victory after he disclosed the use of an unlawful intravenous (IV) infusion for rehydration following weigh-ins, which was prohibited under commission and anti-doping policies.
Which fighters were awarded UFC contracts on Season 1, Week 1?
Dana White awarded UFC contracts to Kurt Holobaugh and Boston Salmon. Heavyweight winner Azunna Anyanwu was later signed to the promotion as a short-notice replacement.
What was the “SnoopCast” on this event?
Week 1 introduced an alternate celebrity broadcast option called the “SnoopCast,” featuring unfiltered, comedic fight commentary from hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.
Who scored the first finish in Contender Series history?
Middleweight Charles Byrd scored the very first stoppage in DWCS history, submitting Jamie Pickett via arm-triangle choke at 4:55 of Round 1.
Who scored the first knockout in Contender Series history?
Heavyweight Azunna Anyanwu landed the inaugural knockout in series history, stopping Greg Rebello with a thunderous punch at 3:04 of Round 2.
How did Boston Salmon defeat Ricky Turcios?
Boston Salmon won a high-volume, back-and-forth striking battle by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28), earning a UFC contract for his performance.
Did Azunna Anyanwu ever compete in the UFC?
Yes. Although not given a contract on the night of the fights, Anyanwu was signed two months later to face Justin Ledet on short notice at UFC Fight Night 116 in Pittsburgh.
Who won the first fight in Contender Series history?
Flyweight Joby Sanchez defeated Manny Vazquez via unanimous decision (29–27, 29–27, 29–27) in the first-ever bout hosted under the DWCS banner.
What was the live gate and attendance for the event?
The event was held inside the soundstage at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas before a private studio audience, with zero public ticket sales or live gate revenue.
How was Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 1, Week 1 broadcast?
The event streamed live exclusively around the world on the digital streaming service UFC Fight Pass.
Did Ricky Turcios eventually make it to the UFC after losing on Week 1?
Yes. Turcios bounced back on the regional circuit and was selected for The Ultimate Fighter 29 in 2021, winning the tournament to earn his UFC contract.
What did Kurt Holobaugh achieve later in his career?
After multiple stints in the promotion, Holobaugh returned to reality television in 2023 on The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler, winning the tournament crown at UFC 292.
What were the fighter purses for DWCS Season 1, Week 1?
Under Nevada State Athletic Commission contracts, winners earned $10,000 ($5,000 base purse plus a $5,000 win bonus), while defeated athletes received a $5,000 base purse.
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