Season 9 kicks off later TONIGHT (Tues., Aug. 12, 2025) from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it is loaded with top mixed martial arts (MMA) talent. Hard-hitting Middleweights headline the card as France’s Ilian Bouafia takes on Brazil’s Neemias Santana. Meanwhile, top prospects Radley Da Silva and George Mangos collide earlier in the card.
Before the next crop of Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) fighters get their contracts, MMAmania.com will highlight the best fighter from each of the previous eight seasons.
Sean O’MalleySeason One (Jul. 11 – Aug. 29, 2017)
This season is an absolute no-brainer: Sean O’Malley. There is an argument that he is the biggest fighter to ever come off the series, and it feels like UFC CEO, Dana White, has been looking for his next O’Malley ever since.
O’Malley knocked out Alfred Khashakyan in the first round and yelled, “Welcome To The Sugar Show,” which had everyone turning their heads. Oh, and Snoop Dog lost his mind over the knockout.
O’Malley eventually captured UFC’s Bantamweight crown with a knockout over Aljamain Sterling (watch highlights) and has defended it once against his rival, Marlon Vera — only to lose it to Merab Dvalishvili.
Honorable mentions: Alex Perez, Dan Ige (Ige wasn’t awarded a contract on the show, but fought on short notice at UFC 220).
Kevin HollandSeason Two (Jun. 12 – Aug. 7, 2018)
Season two of Contender Series had a ton of great options. From Maycee Barber to Anthony Hernandez to Sodiq Yusuff to Jalin Turner. However, I think Kevin Holland — who wasn’t even awarded a contract on the show because he pissed off White (shocker) — is the best fighter to come out of season two. Holland eventually made his Octagon debut against Thiago Santos on short notice up a weight class … and lost. He rattled off three wins shortly thereafter before losing a second time to Brendan Allen.
But, it was in 2020 that he really made an impact.
During UFC’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown era — where every single fight was held inside UFC Apex (or Fight Island), Holland competed five times and won all of them, capping off a tremendous year by knocking out Jacare Souza (see it).
His big 2020 would get him two back-to-back main events in 2021, both of which he lost, but he became a fan favorite because of his attitude of fighting anyone, anywhere, in any weight class — and to this day still has this mindset.
Honorable mentions: Mayce Barber, Anthony Hernandez
Jamahal HillSeason Three (Jun. 18 – Aug. 20, 2019)
The first Contender Series fighter to hold UFC gold came in season three, week five: Jamahal Hill.
Hill’s first three UFC fights were pretty forgettable, that was, until Paul Craig dislocated “Sweat Dreams” elbow, handing Hill his first professional loss (see it). After that, Hill knocked out highly touted prospect, Jimmy Crute, which scored him his first UFC main event against Johnny Walker (watch it).
Hill got another main event against former Light Heavyweight title challenger, Thiago Santos, and then had the best timing ever because he stepped right into a vacant title shot against Glover Teixeira.
“Sweat Dreams” won a dominant unanimous decision to accomplish his goal. He was never be able to defend his title, though, tearing his Achilles and vacating the belt.
Hill might be on a pretty bad skid right now, but he was the first fighter from the series to become a champion.
Honorable mentions: Brendan Loughnane, Brendan Allen
Impa KasanganaySeason Four (Aug. 4. – Sept. 1, 2020)
Season four of Contender Series took place during the global pandemic, which devastated the regional mixed martial arts (MMA) scene.
The best fighter to come off of season four is Impa Kasanganay … and I’ll explain the reason(s). Kasanganay did not have the best UFC run, going 2-2 and got virally knocked out by Joaquin Buckley (it was so good). However, Kasangnay had a fantastic career outside UFC with Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Indeed, in 2023, “Tshilobo” fought his way into PFL by competing on its Challengers show. He went on to win the Light Heavyweight championship and a $1 million payday, and almost got a second championship but lost in the 2024 finals.
I will say, though, if Carlos Ulberg competes for a UFC title, he might take this spot.
Honorable mentions: Adrian Yanez, Carlos Ulberg
Jack Della MaddalenaSeason Five (Aug. 31. – Nov. 2, 2020)
Season five of Contenders Series featured the second fighter to win UFC gold: Jack Della Maddalena.
“JDM” is undefeated inside the Octagon, holding a perfect (8-0) record with the promotion, and in his most recent outing, he battered Belal Muhammad to win the UFC Welterweight title (watch highlights). He has raked in six “Performance of the Night” bonuses, including stopping title challenger Gilbert Burns (with a broken arm).
Maddalena has a chance to add Islam Makhachev to his resume later this year, most likely inside the world-famous Madison Square Garden.
Honorable mentions: Diego Lopes, Caio Borralho
Joe PyferSeason Six (Jul. 26. – Sept. 27, 2021)
Season six of Contenders Series was by far the hardest to pick a clear winner; in fact, I’ve changed my mind several times — and I’ll be honest, it was between Joe Pyfer and Bo Nickal. However, at the end of the day, Pyfer is the best fighter from the fifth season (right now).
Besides a loss to Jack Hermansson, Pyfer has been perfect inside the Octagon and extremely violent. He has four knockouts and one submission, with three Performance of the Night bonuses. In his most recent outing, he scored the biggest win of his career with a unanimous decision win over Kelvin Gastelum.
“Bodybagz” hasn’t gotten into the UFC Middleweight rankings thus far (and he’s mad about it), but will have a chance to crack into the Top 15 in October when he takes on Abus Magomedov.
Honorable mentions: Raul Rosas Jr., Bo Nickal
Jean SilvaSeason Seven (Aug. 8. – Oct. 10, 2023)
Jean Silva has made a big impact thus far in UFC and is about to headline his first card against Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 3.
“Lord” made a statement in his UFC debut, stopping Westin Wilson in the first round (watch it); however, his next two fights put him on everyone’s radar. He knocked out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 during “International Fight Week” and then turned around and finished the always-durable, Drew Dober, at UFC Denver while he was up a weight class.
But, his biggest win came in his last outing when he completely beat down and strangled Bryce Mitchell (watch highlights).
Silva is riding a 13-fight win streak and is potentially one fight away from a title shot.
Honorable mentions: Carlos Prates, Vinicius Oliveira
Ateba GautierSeason Eight (Aug. 13. – Oct. 15, 2024)
One year is definitely challenging to gauge someone, and there are a few names that could easily take this spot, but I’m going off raw talent, which is why Ateba Gautier is the choice.
Gautier made his highly anticipated debut this year and became the first person to crack Jose Medina’s Bolivian chin — in less than four minutes. He followed that up four months later by knocking out Robert Valentin in less than two minutes at UFC 319 (watch highlights).
The 23-year-old will fight a third time this year in October.
Sure, he’s beating low-level competition, which is the one knock on him, but his ceiling is high. I think this time next year we’ll be able to see if he’s the right selection.
