Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 1 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 1
United States
Main Card • Final
France
R3, 5:00
Brazil
R3, 5:00
UFC Contract Awarded
Russia
R1, 3:04
UFC Contract Awarded
Bahrain
Canada
R3, 5:00
Australia
R3, 5:00
Chile
Official Event Results
UFC Contract
UFC Contract
Official Contract Awards
Official UFC Contract Recipients
UFC Contract Winner: Ty Miller was awarded a UFC contract by Dana White after delivering a high-volume striking showcase in his welterweight clash against Jimmy Drago, landing 84 significant strikes.
UFC Contract Winner: Baisangur Susurkaev secured his UFC contract with an electrifying first-round knockout via front kick to the body against Murtaza Talha, stepping up on only four days’ notice.
Note: Traditional $50,000 performance bonuses are not awarded on Dana White’s Contender Series; competitors fight for official multi-fight UFC promotional contracts.
Reported Payouts & Contract Awards
Fighter Purses & Contract Status
| 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 | UFC Contract | $10,000 | |
| LOSS | $5,000 | — | — | $5,000 | |
| WIN | $5,000 | $5,000 | UFC Contract | $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 |
*Purses on Dana White’s Contender Series are established on standardized promotional development contracts, typically structured as $5,000 to show and $5,000 to win under Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) guidelines. The primary incentive of the series is earning an official multi-fight UFC roster contract awarded directly by UFC CEO Dana White.
Historic UFC & DWCS Records Set
Promotional Records Established at DWCS Season 9, Week 1
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 1 officially launched the ninth consecutive season of the premier developmental series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Baisangur Susurkaev scored the only finish on the entire five-fight card, stopping Murtaza Talha with a pinpoint front kick to the body at 3:04 of Round 1.
Susurkaev entered on four days’ notice to replace Damian Pinas, maintaining a 100% finish rate and earning a direct UFC promotional contract.
Baisangur Susurkaev extended his undefeated mixed martial arts record to 12-0-0, recording his ninth career knockout victory.
Ty Miller became one of the rare decision winners to earn a direct UFC contract on a night featuring four decisions, rewarded for his relentless striking output.
Ty Miller launched 246 significant strike attempts (landing 84) across 15 minutes against Jimmy Drago, establishing a Season 9 opening-week high in offensive volume.
Radley da Silva went a perfect 6-for-6 on takedown attempts against HEX MMA champion George Mangos, controlling the bout for 9 minutes and 31 seconds.
Radley da Silva established the event-high ground control benchmark with 9:31 of control time, capturing a unanimous decision upset as an underdog.
Yuri Panferov notched his second DWCS appearance with a dominant 30-27 unanimous decision win over Chilean prospect Chris Ewert, logging 8:26 of control time.
Neemias Santana received a 1-point deduction in Round 1 for an illegal headbutt, leading to rare 30-26, 29-27, 29-27 unanimous decision scorecards for Ilian Bouafia.
With the signings of Ty Miller and Baisangur Susurkaev, Dana White has awarded more than 278 UFC promotional contracts since DWCS originated in 2017.
Week 1 featured athletes representing seven distinct sovereign countries: France, Brazil, the United States, Russia, Bahrain, Canada, and Australia.
When and where did Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 1 take place?
Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 9, Week 1 took place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the UFC Apex (Meta APEX) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who earned UFC contracts at DWCS Season 9, Week 1?
UFC CEO Dana White awarded official UFC contracts to two fighters: Ty Miller and Baisangur Susurkaev.
Who won the main event between Ilian Bouafia and Neemias Santana?
Ilian Bouafia defeated Neemias Santana via unanimous decision (30–26, 29–27, 29–27) in their three-round middleweight headliner.
Why was Neemias Santana deducted a point in the main event?
Neemias Santana had one point deducted by the referee in Round 1 due to an illegal headbutt, impacting the official scorecards.
Who won the welterweight co-main event between Ty Miller and Jimmy Drago?
Ty Miller defeated Jimmy Drago via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), outstriking Drago 84 to 57 in significant strikes.
What was the only finish at DWCS Season 9, Week 1?
Baisangur Susurkaev recorded the lone stoppage of the night, knocking out Murtaza Talha via a front kick to the body at 3:04 of Round 1.
Did Baisangur Susurkaev take his fight on short notice?
Yes. Susurkaev stepped in on just four days’ notice to replace Damian Pinas, maintaining his undefeated record and securing a UFC contract.
Who won the featherweight bout between Radley da Silva and George Mangos?
Canadian standout Radley da Silva defeated Australian prospect George Mangos via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) behind six successful takedowns.
How did Yuri Panferov defeat Chris Ewert?
Yuri Panferov defeated Chris Ewert via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), relying on heavy top control (8:26) and 65 significant strikes.
Are standard $50,000 UFC performance bonuses awarded on the Contender Series?
No. Athletes on Dana White’s Contender Series do not compete for traditional $50,000 post-fight bonuses; instead, the ultimate prize is an official UFC promotional contract.
Where was Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Week 1 broadcast?
In the United States, the event streamed live exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 8:00 PM EDT.
Who called the action for DWCS Season 9, Week 1?
The broadcast booth featured play-by-play commentator Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color commentators Daniel Cormier and Laura Sanko.
Who was the cage announcer for the event?
Veteran ring announcer Joe Martinez introduced the competitors inside the Octagon.
What was the live gate and attendance for the event?
As a closed-door studio television production hosted inside the UFC Apex, public ticket sales were not tracked, and attendance was restricted to fighters, team camps, VIP guests, and media.
What happened to Ty Miller after winning his UFC contract?
Following his DWCS win, Ty Miller made a successful official UFC debut inside the Octagon, continuing his undefeated streak with a first-round stoppage win.
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