There are four new fighters joining the UFC roster after an action-packed night of fights on The Contender Series.
MMA
Kevin Holland denies being Contender Series fighter Dana White claims has made over $11M in UFC career
Published
3 weeks agoon
Dana White made a surprising comment about a former Contender Series fighter making big money and all signs pointed to it being Kevin Holland.
Just one problem: Holland says it isn't him.
Following Tuesday's Contender Series show, White spoke to the media and told reporters the opportunity to earn a UFC contract on the long-running program has been a win for the promotion and fighters. He specifically mentioned that one fighter, who had never even competed in a world title fight, had already made over $11 million. White did not name the fighter.
“This show has paid fighters that have come off it, like, $225 million over the last 10 years and one of the guys that never fought for a world title, has made over $11 million dollars.
“So staying active and keeping yourself out there and in everybody's face is not only good financially, but you have a very limited amount of time to make a lot of money in any sport. So staying active is the move. I love it.â€
The MMA community immediately went to work trying to figure out who the mystery fighter is, a presumably narrow list given that the entry-level contract earned through Contender Series has been disclosed as $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win. It wasn't long before Holland was picked out from the pack.
Holland has fought 29 times since joining the UFC in 2018, after competing on Contender Series but not initially receiving a contract. During his time in the promotion he has recorded 10 Fight Night bonuses (One Fight of the Night and nine Performance of the Night awards), each worth $50,000. He has also frequently taken bouts on short notice, which typically results in higher pay.
Adding in potential sponsorship opportunities available to him as a UFC fighter, Holland seems to be the only person White could have been talking about, but Holland later made comments on social media denying he's the fighter in question.
“That fighter's not me,†Holland said. “I'm just now waking up. I'll tell you all right now, that fighter's not me. Don't listen to that shit.â€
He also responded to a graphic, writing, “Boss talking about someone else wish it was me.â€
It's entirely possible it's Holland and he doesn't want the public talking about his financials, or maybe White is simply mistaken in how he described the $11-million fighter (Sean O'Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena, and Carlos Ulberg have all come out of Contender Series to win UFC titles, but White claimed the fighter has never been in a title fight). For now, the mystery remains.
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MMA
Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit
Published
2 hours agoon
September 16, 2026
Jones has taken several digs at Tom
Aspinall after the Brit vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title.
Aspinall hasn't fought since his first title defense against
Ciryl
Gane ended in a no-contest after he suffered eye pokes to both
eyes in the first round. He vacated the belt of his own accord,
without any pressure from the UFC, and claimed he didn't want to
stall the division amid ongoing complications with his right eye.
Jones, however, has a different view of Aspinall's decision.
Jon Jones backs criticism of Tom Aspinall after the former UFC
heavyweight champion vacates his title
An X user recently speculated that Aspinall chose to vacate the
title because of how the first round of his clash with Gane played
out. The user claims Aspinall doesn't fancy his chances in a
rematch with the Frenchman, who currently holds the interim title.
Jones agreed with the user.
“My sentiments exactly,†Jones wrote on X.
Another X user opined that Aspinall was undeserving of the
undisputed heavyweight title to begin with, which also drew a
response from the former two-division champ.
“Ouch,†Jones commented in response to an X user taking a shot at
Aspinall's champion status.
The same X account also noted that Jones was fouled by Gane in
their heavyweight title fight but made quick work of “Bon Gaminâ€
soon after, unlike Aspinall.
“Dude you are on fire,†Jones posted after the X user brought up
his fight with Gane.
My sentiments exactly https://t.co/MJqbMc9U51
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones)
September 15, 2026
Ouch https://t.co/xmLQq4GIKu
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones)
September 15, 2026
Dude you are on fire https://t.co/x1R5FeMoZw
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones)
September 15, 2026
MMA
DWCS Season 10, Week 6 results: Vicious 1 punch knockout leads 4 fighters being signed to UFC contracts
Published
7 hours agoon
September 15, 2026
UFC CEO Dana White named Mayton Perea, Igor Cavalcanti, Akbar Abdullaev and Luis Hernandez to receive UFC contracts. The fifth winner of the night Tyshawn Williams didn't get signed to the UFC but White told him he would get another shot on The Contender Series to see if he could secure that contract later this season.
White offered some incredible praise for Abdullaev calling him “the greatest talent that's ever been on this show†after he delivered an absolutely jaw-dropping one-punch knockout to end his fight in just 19 seconds.
All told, the UFC has now signed 28 fighters from The Contender Series this season.
Mayton Perea def. Zevan Hunt via TKO (punches) at 45 seconds, R1
There was no feeling out period in this fight as Perea was relentless from the jump after clipping Hunt and hurting him in the first exchange. Perea kept coming forward to set up his punches with Hunt just trying to survive. Perea dropped Hunt for a second time and then eventually a third time followed by a barrage of hammer fists that officially ended it.
Perea looked very impressive in his DWCS debut.
Igor Cavalcanti def. Oscar Ravello via TKO (strikes) at 1:38, R1
A straight right hand from Cavalcanti opened the fight as he put Ravello down in an early exchange. Cavalcanti followed him to the canvas and he just kept blasting away with punches looking for the finish, but to his credit he was smart not to overextend himself.
Cavalcanti was measured with his strikes as he kept chipping away with Ravello only able to roll and try to avoid the damage but he just couldn't escape the bad position on the ground. Cavalcanti was still punching away and Ravello was clearly stuck, which gave the referee no choice but to stop the fight.
Akbar Abdullaev def. Ednilson Santos via knockout (punch) at 19 seconds, R1
Akbar Abdullaev backed up all the hype surrounding his appearance on DWCS as the former ONE fighter uncorked a single right hand that absolutely blasted Santos and the Brazilian almost fell in slow motion as he face planted on the canvas.
The look at Dana White's face told the whole story as Abdullaev delivered an absolutely jaw-dropping one punch knockout.
Luis Hernandez def. Hugo Guillon via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01, R2
Hernandez was on the attack from the first second of the fight until the very last. He scored an early takedown but eventually Hernandez turned to his striking where he blasted Guillon with a nasty body kick. Hernandez also came back over the top with a well-timed overhand punch that rattled Guillon as well.
Hernandez stayed aggressive going into round two but that almost cost him as he got clipped with a stiff knee up the middle and Guillon nearly locked on a D'arce choke. Instead, Hernandez escaped and he grabbed onto a rear-naked choke that earned him the tap and he got the victory.
Tyshawn Williams def. Antonio Monteiro via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
A former college wrestler, Tyshawn Williams was attacking with his grappling early and often. He scored numerous takedowns but that also gassed Williams out badly. Still Williams mainly stayed in control with Monteiro doing his best to get back to his feet.
With time running out, Williams kept dragging Monteiro to the canvas and the Brazilian just couldn't break free from his grip as time ran out to make any kind of comeback. The judges agreed and Williams earned the unanimous decision victory.
MMA
Sean O'Malley explains attacking 'drunk cowboy' fan while cornering teammate at Noche UFC
Published
9 hours agoon
September 15, 2026
Credit: Zuffa LLCFormer UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley had enough of one fan's antics during Tommy McMillen's walkout at Noche UFC.
UFC featherweight Tommy McMillen continued his meteoric rise in the Octagon with a ‘Fight of the Year'-caliber performance at Noche UFC 4 last Saturday. McMillen defeated Marwan Rahiki by unanimous decision in one of the wildest fights of the year.
McMillen's latest win came with former UFC bantamweight champion and longtime teammate Sean O'Malley in his corner alongside coach Tim Welch. O'Malley has become a huge influence in McMillen's career as he marches closer to the featherweight Top 15.
While McMillen is considered by many as a rising star in the UFC featherweight division, he's attracted his fair share of haters. One of them was at Noche UFC 4 as McMillen and his team made their walk to the Octagon in Glendale.
After the heavily intoxicated fan hurled insults towards McMillen, O'Malley took matters into his own hands.
WATCH: Sean O'Malley throws hat at obnoxious fan during Noche UFC walkout
O'Malley opened up about the incident in a recent YouTube video.
Sean O'Malley hit a drunk fan in the face with his hat for talking sh*t 💀 pic.twitter.com/aR8pt3NoA4
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) September 15, 2026
“We're standing in the walkway, and for probably two minutes, this one f—– drunk cowboy guy was going ‘F— you Tommy! You f—— p—-!',†O'Malley explained.
“I grabbed my hat, balled it up and got it into a nice ball. Right when we walked out, I smoked that m——f—– right in the face with it. Part of me kind of felt bad, but I told Tim I was going to ‘smoke this m————. I was going to give it to a fan, but he got it in the face.â€
O'Malley isn't the only UFC fighter to hit back at trash-talking fans during pre-fight walkouts. UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan was penalized by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for attacking a fan during his walkout at UFC 300.
Who should Sean O'Malley fight next? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit
DWCS Season 10, Week 6 results: Vicious 1 punch knockout leads 4 fighters being signed to UFC contracts
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