Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 4 is right around the corner – and its lineup is filling up quickly.
While many top regional fighters and high-ceiling prospects have been snatched up by the promotion, some very worthy prospects still remain without a contract.
The UFC is working on fights for the first six events but the final four still seem largely open. Here are five of the most deserving candidates to snatch one of the final slots.
Johnny Munoz (Bantamweight, 10-0)
One of the best pound-for-pound prospects in North America, it’s about time for Johnny Munoz to be noticed. One of the faces of King of the Cage for the past five years, Munoz is ready to venture outside the promotion. A versatile, multi-faceted finisher, Munoz presents a puzzle no opponent has been able to figure out yet. He holds an 80 percent finishing rate with five submissions and three knockouts. He currently holds the KOTC bantamweight title. To put it simply, Munoz on DWCS is an absolute no-brainer.
Nikolas Motta (Lightweight, 11-3)
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, where he began training with Eddie Alvarez. 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.
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Jared Scoggins (Flyweight, 10-0)
The younger brother of UFC and RIZIN veteran Justin Scoggins, Jared Scoggins brings a lot of the same excitement. Competing at a weight class 10 lighter than his brother, Jared mirrors a lot of Justin’s abilities. In 10 pro fights, Jared Scoggins has only lost once. He holds four finishes – all by knockout. While he hasn’t competed since September 2018, Scoggins is still active in the gym. He was scheduled to headline LFA 79 against promotional champion Brandon Royval in November 2019. However, Scoggins had to pull out due to injury. With Royval appearing on DWCS, it’ll make sense if Scoggins follows suit.
Justin Gonzales (Featherweight, 10-0)
DWCS, Season 3 viewers will remember Justin Gonzales from the dominant unanimous decision victory he earned against Zach Zane. When it came time for judgment, 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. If Gonzalez wins the LFA belt July 10 at LFA 84, he should be a shoo-in for DWCS – or the UFC.
Matt Dixon (Welterweight, 9-0)
An undefeated amateur, Matt Dixon’s lack of losses continue in the professional ranks. Largely competing for Oklahoma-based promotion Xtreme Fight Night, Dixon ran through the competition. To date, Dixon has accumulated six finishes, with five knockouts and one submission. Dixon has power, speed and the mentality of a contracted UFC or Bellator athlete. His attitude is positive and confident, and he’s very polished when it comes to his mic skills. He’s had major offers in the past, but contractual obligations have prevented him from accepting. Now free of said contractual ties, he’ll be able to pursue whatever comes his way.
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Vinicius de Jesus (Welterweight, 9-2)
The current CES MMA welterweight champion and a Bellator veteran, Vinicius De Jesus presents a lot of problems for fighters of all skillsets. A third-generation Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, he usually sticks to his striking, which consists largely of power shots from the outside and heavy leg kicks. He holds legitimate wins over Jeremiah Wells, Tim Caron, James Boran, and Chris Lozano. He’s only lost once sine 2013 – a controversial split decision defeat at the hands of Joaquin Buckley. De Jesus’ knockout power, combined with his mic skills, makes him a prime candidate to be a target of DWCS.
Impa Kasanganay (Middleweight, 6-0)
Fight fans likely remember Impa Kasanganay as being one of them, if not the most impressive fighter from Season 2 of “Dana White’s Contender Series” not to earn a UFC deal. Despite being the perceived “B-side” of his matchup against then-undefeated Kailin Hill, Congolese-American Kasanganay put on a tactical, dominant performance against the LFA veteran. It earned massive underdog Kasanganay the nod from all three judges, but UFC president Dana White sent him back to the regional scene to get more experience. Since DWCS, Kasanganay has been unlucky. Three of his regional fights have been canceled, and he hasn’t been able to compete. Improvement comes in the gym, however, so maybe he’s made the strides the promotion was looking for. The best way to find out is for him to return to DWCS.
