The ninth season of the Contender Series of Dana White could be the most exciting so far, with some enormous prospects that compete for a contract with the UFC.
The latest series includes from 12 August to 14 October, with ten shows, each filled with some of the top-up-and-coming hunters from all over the world.
Names such as Sean O'Malley, Jamahal Hill and Bo Nickal have all received their start in the UFC in the Contender Series of Dana White and have become in the promotion in the following years.
This latest cohort from hopeful fighters could be the best so far, with former NFL stars, six-foot-inch monsters and judo champions, all of whom are the most exciting prospects for the coming series.
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5. Jon Kunneman
In an impressive field of emerging hunters, the American grappler Jon Kunneman is one of the highlights for the ninth season of the Contender Series by Dana White.
The 26-year-old struggled at the University of Nebraska before training in MMA under the legendary Greg Jackson, the man who trained legendary hunters such as Jones and Georges St-Pierre.
These are big shoes to fill, but Kunneman only hopes to get his foot in the door first. His 10-0 record in the Octagon is one of the most impressive this season of the show, and he certainly seems to earn a contract with the UFC when things go to plan.
Kunneman is confronted with a heavy test on the program, because he has the task of being confronted with an opportunity to earn a UFC deal from White compared to the 11-3 Cam Rowston.
4. Guilherme Pat
With a nickname like “Kong” you just know that Guilherme Pat will be a handful for his opponent in the UFC contender series of Dana White.
Although his opponent, Anthony Guarascio, has done the media rounds in the structure of the show, it is Pat who could be one of the most impressive heavyweights to achieve a deal with the UFC through this opportunity.
Standing on six feet five centimeters and with a weight of more than 235 pounds, he is a physical copy that will have the power benefit compared to almost everyone with whom he steps into the Octagon.
“Kong” has only had five fights in his career, but with four knockouts and a decision victory under his belt, he looks good to make a splash in Las Vegas.
3. Juan Diaz
One of the best Bantamweight perspectives on the show this year is the 27-year-old Peruvian prospect, Juan Diaz.
Known as “Pegajoso”, or “Sticky”, the five-foot-nine competitor is a difficult man to fight in the Octagon and finding different ways to end his opponents.
He is briefly skilled in the display of a victory on three rounds or continue for the kill with the rear naked choke, which makes Diaz a threat from all sides for those who are unlucky to take it in the Contender Series of Dana White.
2. IWO Baraniewski
One of the best prospects in this year's show must be the Judoka Iwo Baraniewski.
The Polish hunter fought competitively in Judo before making the transition to MMA in 2023, both nationally and in European matches in Judo after big victories.
He gathered a 5-0 Winstrecord in Polish MMA promotion Babilon MMA, impressive with two entry victories and three TKO finishes, without a fight that passed the first round.
Although competition in the US will be much more difficult, he has the training and the opportunity to beat Mahamed Aly on the September 16 edition of the program.
1. Josh Hokit
The most promising competition that wants to leave his mark on the UFC in the latest series from Dana White is a former NFL player and MMA rayers Josh Hokit.
The heavyweight hunter played football at the university before he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. Although he never made his debut in the NFL, he spent two years on their selection, as well as a short stint in the Arizona Cardinals team.
After the end of his football career, Hokit started his profession in MMA and signed for Bellator MMA. He won his first two fights via entry before the promotion was closed, with three first round victories in the LFA before he was picked up by Dana White.
Hokit looks like a real prospect in the heavyweight division and could become a big star in the promotion if he impresses Dana White's Contender Series 9.