Dana White's Contender Series will continue its 10th season on Tuesday. As with every edition of the show, fighters will look to impress UFC CEO Dana White enough to be offered a contract to fight for the biggest mixed martial arts company in the world. Each week, five fights take place with top regional fighters auditioning for a UFC contract.
The decision to sign a fighter rests solely with White regardless of the outcome. A highlight-reel finish can certainly help your chances, but what matters most is leaving an impression on the boss. Four Contender Series graduates have become UFC champions: Sean O'Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Ulberg.
Many more are on the rise, such as welterweight contender Carlos Prates and lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy. Now, the next crop of potential major players make their case for the big show. or no additional fee -- every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with the price of your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
As shown in Week 3 of this season, nothing is a given. Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, entered the main event as a massive favorite. Rather than earning a UFC contract, Mir was thoroughly outfought and took the first loss of her career as Alex Apodaca pulled off a huge upset.
Tuesday's edition features a middleweight showdown Norbert Novenyi Jr. and Theo Haig. Novenyi (10-1) fought the majority of his career in the Bellator cage. After winning his first six Bellator fights, Novenyi dropped a majority decision to Dalton Rosta for the first loss of his career.
Since that loss and the end of his time with Bellator, Novenyi has won three fights, all by first-round stoppage. Haig (7-1) suffered his first career defeat in September 2025 when he was stopped by Cezary Oleksiejczuk in just 36 seconds in a fight on Dana White's Contender Series. Oleksiejczuk went on to win his first UFC bout, helping put some context to Haig's loss.
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