Dana White’s Contender Series has become a focal point for fighters on the regional scene looking to make it to the next level. 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 2020 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 you should expect to see on the show this summer.
Up next, the lightweights.
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Rafael Alves
Record: 18-9
Age: 29
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: Belem, Para, Brazil
Rafael Alves was supposed to compete on season 3 of DWCS. UFC president Dana White sat cageside at Alves’ most recent fight in April 2019. Impressed with what he saw, White offered Alves a roster slot. However, for unknown reasons, the offer didn’t turn into reality. Alves didn’t fight on DWCS – and hasn’t competed since that April bout. Assuming the offer still stands, Alves is a great addition to the DWCS lineup. He brings veteran savvy, excitement, and well-roundedness. It wasn’t a straight incline for Alves when moving up the regional rankings, but the current product is a good one. DWCS would prove it.
Mike Breeden
Record: 8-2
Age: 30
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: United States
An exciting and flashy striker, Mike Breeden has built a deep highlight reel just 10 fights into his pro career. Training under James Krause at Glory MMA and Fitness, Breeden has improved all aspects of his game since his pro debut in 2017. In his most recent fight at LFA 77 in September 2017, Breeden turned heads with his flying knee knockout of Brandon Jenkins. The victory extended his winning streak to three – just in time to be recruited for the Season 4 of DWCS.
More fighters on the next page:
Kenny Cross
Record: 10-3
Age: 25
Height: 6’0″
Birthplace: Michigan
A fan favorite on the Michigan regional scene, Kenny Cross has thrilled viewers with his finishing abilities. Cross has a 100 percent finishing rate with five wins by knockouts and five by submission. He’s currently riding a four-fight winning streak and has picked up victories in seven of his most recent eight fights. A member of Michigan Top Team, Cross spends time training with the likes of Daron Cruickshank, Cody Stamann, and others. If you were to build a prototype for an A-list DWCS prospect, it’d be Cross.
Gabriel Green
Record: 9-2
Age: 26
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: San Pedro, Calif.
There are levels of flying under the radar and then there’s Gabriel Green-level of flying under the radar. At 26, Green deserves much more hype than he’s been getting. The Californian is currently riding a six-fight winning streak against opponents with a outstanding combined record of 44-14 at the time of their fights. While he hasn’t competed since 2018, Green is still very much active. He was supposed to compete at Bellator 238 in January, but a shoulder injury forced him out of the bout. Should he be recovered by the time DWCS contracts go out in bulk, the UFC should take a look at this 100 percent finishing rate lightweight.
More fighters on the next page:
Jackson Loureiro
Record: 10-1-1
Age: 25
Height: 6’0″
Birthplace: Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Like many fighters competing on the Brazilian regional scene, Jackson Loureiro isn’t well known to the North American audience. But what he’s doing in his native country is so impressive, it won’t take long for his name to enter the international spotlight. In his past four fights, Loureiro has defeated fighters with records of 15-5-1, 13-1, 9-1, and 7-2. He hasn’t lost since 2016 in his fourth professional fight. In 12 pro fights, Loureiro has six finishes including five knockouts and one submission. With the uptick of Brazilians on DWCS last season, expect to see Loureiro this summer in Las Vegas.
Victor Martinez
Record: 12-4
Age: 28
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: Pharr, Texas
Simply put: Victor Martinez is a savage. Martinez’s nickname is apt. “The Brick” hits like just the moniker implies. A confidant of UFC lightweight contender Diego Ferreira, it makes sense Martinez is always in search of a finish. After kicking off his career going 6-4 in his first 10 fights, Martinez has won his last six. In 12 victories, Martinez holds eight knockouts. He’s competed for Combate Americas and holds the Fury FC lightweight title. Martinez hasn’t lost by finish since 2015 – showing he’s durable and has good striking and submission defense. Texas fighters have had solid luck on DWCS in the past. Martinez could be up next.
More fighters on the next page:
Nikolas Motta
Record: 11-3
Age: 27
Height: 5’6″
Birthplace: Governador Valadares, Minas, Gerais, Brazil
Nikolas Motta first entered the national and international spotlights as a participant on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4.” He went through the proverbial wringer, competing in Shooto Brasil in his native country. All the while, he trained with UFC champs Jose Aldo and Renan Barao. Dedicated to his craft, Motta moved to the United States in order to find fights. He competed for 864 Fighting Championship, then took on a plethora of challenges and won the vacant CFFC title. Sure he’s had a couple losses, but the final product is better because of them. He’s already ready, but if the UFC needs him to prove that one more time on DWCS, so be it.
Max Rohskopf
Record: 5-0
Age: 25
Height: 6’1″
Birthplace: Killibuck, Ohio
You’ll be hard pressed to find a four-fight pro with more hype than Max Rohskopf. The North Carolina State University wrestling product has a 100 percent finishing rate. It makes sense considering he trains under BJJ wizard Robert Drysdale at Zenith Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas. While one of his biggest problems has been finding fights, Rohskopf has made sure to stay vocal on social media – building his brand during the competition hiatus. While Rohskopf has voiced his opinion he should be going straight to the big leagues, the UFC might want him to build his brand on the DWCS stage. The star potential is there. One way or another, Rohskopf is UFC bound.
More fighters on the next page:
Anthony Romero
Record: 7-0
Age: 23
Height: 5’11”
Birthplace: Canada
Nicknamed “The Brain,” Anthony Romero is – you guessed it – an intelligent fighter. It’s been a slow burn, but Romero is finally ready to take the step up in competition. The gap in talent between him and his regional opponents has grown – despite the level opposition increasing, too. In seven victories, Romero picked up three finishes – mostly under the KOTC banner. In his most recent fight at Ohio Combat League 7, Romero finished Jacob Miller by knockout in 58 seconds. At 23, he’s still very young. While there’s no rush, DWCS would serve as a gauge to see if he’s ready or not.
Kevin Syler
Record: 10-0
Age: 26
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Kevin Syler picked up a victory on Season 3 of DWCS, but it came with an asterisk. For a scheduled featherweight bout, Syler weighed in at 152 pounds – six pounds over the limit. Despite winning against Lance Lawrence in one-sided fashion, Syler was passed over due to his botched weight cut. Since then, Syler moved to lightweight, where he hopes to compete on Season 4. Moving up in weight shouldn’t present Syler with too many problems. Sure, he’ll be fighting bigger guys, but his skills will likely compensate. An American Top Team product, Syler has crisp, powerful striking and a ground game to compliment it. Don’t be surprised if Dana White and company give him a second DWCS shot in Season 4.
Other lightweights to watch out for: Mateusz Rebecki, Alan Omer, Sergio Dominguez, Herbert Batista, Justin Jaynes, Adli Edwards, Rhys McKee, Lucas Almeida, Manoel Sousa, Neal Anderson, Aleksandar Stojicic, Nick Browne, David Robins, Louis Cosce, Adrian Hadribeaj, Leandro Rodriguez, Daniel Zellhuber, Achilles Estramadura, and more.
