Dana White’s Contender Series has become a focal point for fighters on the regional scene. Since its inception in 2017, the UFC Fight Pass-turned-ESPN+ summer original removed some of the guesswork for up-and-comers trying to make it big.
With UFC president Dana White and matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby cageside, the stakes are high. Have an impressive, exciting win on the show, and you’re in.
Rumored for a late-June start date, DWCS Season 4 is almost here. The lineups haven’t been announced quite yet, but advanced planning is underway. While there are hundreds of fighters qualified to compete on the show, we’ll be narrowing each divisional pool to 10 fighters you should expect to see on the show this summer.
Up next, the featherweights…
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Mohammad Alavi
Record: 5-0
Age: 33
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
It’s hard to build your record when you struggle to find willing opponents. That’s the issue Mohammad Alavi has been having lately. At only 5-0, Alavi hasn’t generated much buzz outside of the Australia/New Zealand regional circuit. However, many inside the circuit view him as a force to be reckoned with. He’s finished all of his fights inside the distance, including his 102-second knockout of Jackson Small at XFC 42 in August. With the coronavirus outbreak canceling his March 20 bout for Superfight MMA, Alavi could jump right into DWCS this summer.
Anthony Avila
Record: 18-5
Age: 31
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: Lemoore, Calif.
It’s crazy that Anthony Avila is only 31 years old considering the amount of experience he’s accumulated over the years. From his Shark Fights and Strikeforce Challengers days early on, to his most recent fights in Combate Americas and Tachi Palace Fights, Gutierrez has been around the block. Over the years, the Team Alpha Male product faced top-tier regional talent. He’s had ups and downs, but now he’s ready. A winner of five of his most recent six outings, Avila has proved he’s made the proper advancements to stay consistent.
More fighters on the next page:
Joanderson Brito
Record: 11-2-1
Age: 25
Height: 5’6″
Birthplace: Santa Helena, Maranhao, Brazil
Brazil is one of the toughest regional MMA scenes to gauge on planet earth. Why? Well, not all Brazilian fighters with impressive records are created equal. For Joanderson Brito however, the hype is real. A true finisher, Brito can end a fight from anywhere. His striking is terrifyingly fast and powerful. His skills are advanced way past the point of your average 24-year-old prospect. Athleticism and technique meet in a phenomenal crossroads. Simply put, Brito is legit – and ready for DWCS.
Kyle Driscoll
Record: 11-3
Age: 26
Height: 6’0″
Birthplace: Tulsa, Okla.
Kyle Driscoll is the next in the list of wrestling-based fighters to come out of American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. Like many of his AKA cohorts, he’s transformed a wrestle-heavy game into a more aesthetically pleasing style for for viewers. His grappling game is deeper than his wrestling, and he showed that when he won second place at the No Gi Worlds 2019. He’s currently riding a six-fight winning streak with three knockout victories in that stretch. Having competed for XFN, LFA, and Combate Americas, Driscoll is finally ready to take the next step.
More fighters on the next page:
Justin Gonzales
Record: 10-0
Age: 26
Height: 6’0″
Birthplace: Tulsa, Okla.
DWCS, Season 3 viewers will remember Justin Gonzales from the dominant unanimous decision victory he earned against Zach Zane. When it came time for judgement, UFC president Dana White passed over Gonzales. White explained Gonzales’ fight was too lackluster for him to get the contract. While his fight on DWCS, Season 3 wasn’t the worst, his fights are often more exciting than what he showed. Season 4 would be a perfect means for Gonzales to redeem himself.
Anthony Gutierrez
Record: 12-3
Age: 29
Height: 5’11”
Birthplace: Lee’s Summit, Mo.
The last time Anthony Gutierrez was in the national spotlight, he was lambasted by UFC president Dana White on “The Ultimate Fighter 18.” Gutierrez was sent home following a botched weight cut, which also generated criticism from competitors, coaches, teammates. But Gutierrez has said he hasn’t let that bother him – and the evidence back the claims. The Glory MMA and Fitness product has won five fights in a row. He’s also established a successful pro wrestling career, too. Gutierrez signed with EVOLVE Wrestling in 2019. Pairing his fighting abilities with his pro wrestling mic abilities, Gutierrez would be a perfect fit for DWCS.
More fighters on the next page:
Igeu Kabesa
Record: 12-1
Age: 26
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: South Africa
South Africa has had a few of their native sons make it to the UFC, but it’s still not necessarily thought of as a hotbed for MMA. However, over the past few years, regional promotion EFC has changed that. Don’t believe it? Look no further than their 145-pound titleholder Igeu Kabesa. Nicknamed “Smiley,” Kabesa has become appointment viewing. Originally from the Demoratic Republic of the Congo, Kabesa has traveled south to destroy the competition in emphatic fashion. He’s riding a four-fight winning streak dating back to a 2017 loss to UFC veteran Danny Henry. He also holds a win over Henry, as well as Bellator star Peter Queally. It’s time for Kabesa to join them in the likes of a top-tier promotion. That journey should begin on DWCS.
T.J. Laramie
Record: 11-3
Age: 22
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: Canada
At 22, T.J. Laramie already has gotten the reps of a seasoned veteran. Unafraid to take tough fights despite his ever-evolving game and high potential ceiling, Laramie has fought Canada’s toughest tests. A well-rounded finisher through-and-through, Laramie is able to take the fight wherever necessary. In his most recent outing, Laramie showed the depths of his cardio and durability when he went 25 minutes for the first time in a victory over fellow top prospect Andrew Cruz. Laramie is the future of Canadian MMA, so why not throw him on DWCS?
More fighters on the next page:
Tucker Lutz
Record: 9-1
Age: 25
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: Reisterstown, Md.
It’s been a slow burn for Tucker Lutz, but he’s finally ready. In 2015, Lutz dropped his professional debut by third-round TKO. Since then, Lutz has never allowed himself to land in the loss column. He’s won nine straight fights, picking up eight finishes along the way. While most of his opponents have low levels of experience, Lutz has also proven he’s able to take out veterans, defeating 17-fight veteran Francisco Isata by unanimous decision at Shogun Fights 18 back in 2018. Shogun Fights has crafted him well, but now it’s time to test himself against a top prospect in his new weight class of 145 pounds on DWCS.
Andrew Tenneson
Record: 8-1
Age: 32
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: Rio Rancho, N.M.
A fun fighter both inside and outside of the cage, Andrew Tenneson has flown under a lot of radars en route to an 8-1 record. The Jackson Wink MMA product is riding a five-fight winning streak with four finishes in that stretch. Tenneson’s most recent bout took place at LFA 66 in May. The finish went viral. As the clock wound down in Round 1, Tenneson pulled off an unofficial “Submission of the Year” candidate by gogoplata-ing Westin Wilson. The submission victory was the third of his career. A unique personality, Tenneson fits the bill of a fighter DWCS would be interested in. Let’s see if he makes the cut.
Other featherweights to watch out for: Ludovit Klein, Max Coga, Nathan Maness, Dinis Paiva, Aaron Phillips, Vovka Clay, Austin Springer, Collin Anglin, Jess Martinez, Adli Edwards, James Gonzalez, Jamey Simmons, Elijah Johns, Michael Stack, Boston Salmon, Paul Hughes, Saba Bolaghi, Aaron Blackie, Mohammad Alavi, Elismar Lima, Mairon Santos, Willian Souza, Diego Lopes, Sergio Giglio, and more.
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