It was a landmark year for Dana White’s Contender Series.
The UFC’s prospect-search platform continued in 2022 with 10 weekly events between July-September. The totals for the 10 events: 49 total fights, 43 total UFC contracts handed out to winners and about two-thirds of the fights (32 of 49) ended with knockouts (22) or submissions (10).
The crazy thing is, the first event of 2022 looked bleak. UFC president Dana White handed out just one contract, to Joe Pyfer, and challenged fighters on future shows to turn up the heat if they wanted to win UFC deals. Turn it up they did with stoppages in 31 of the next 45 fights over nine events.
Below, take a look (alphabetically) of all the fighters who won their way into the UFC in 2022 – including several of whom who already have made their official promotional debuts.
Jesus Santos Aguilar
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Jesus Aguilar of Mexico secures a guillotine choke submission against Erisson Ferreira of Brazil in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week five at UFC APEX on August 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 51 Result: Jesus Santos Aguilar def. Erisson Ferreira via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 1:56
Nurullo Aliev
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: Nurullo Aliev of Tajikistan reacts after his TKO victory over Josh Wick in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six week nine at UFC APEX on September 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 55 Result: Nurullo Aliev def. Josh Wick via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:36
Ikram Aliskerov
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: Ikram Aliskerov of Russia reacts after his submission victory over Mario Sousa of Brazil in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week eight at UFC APEX on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: (R-L) Farid Basharat of Afghanistan punches Allan Begosso of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week eight at UFC APEX on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 54 Result: Farid Basharat def. Allan Begosso via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–26)
Blake Bilder
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 30: (L-R) Blake Bilder secures a rear choke submission against Alexander Morgan of Canada in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week six at UFC APEX on August 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 52 Result: Blake Bilder def. Alex Morgan via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
Gabriel Bonfim
Current record: (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 53 Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Trey Waters via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 4:13
Ismael Bonfim
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 06: (R-L) Ismael Bonfim of Brazil punches Nariman Abbasov of Azerbaijan in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender series season six, week seven at UFC APEX on September 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Bruna Brasil of Brazil kicks Marnic Mann in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week eight at UFC APEX on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (8-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 54 Result: Bruna Brasil def. Marnic Mann via knockout (head kick) – Round 2, 4:33
Clayton Carpenter
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 09: (R-L) Clayton Carpenter punches Edgar Chairez of Mexico in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week three at UFC APEX on August 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 49 Result: Clayton Carpenter def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 02: (R-L) Waldo Cortes-Acosta of the Dominican Republic drops Danilo Suzart of Brazil with a punch in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week two at UFC APEX on August 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 48 Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Danilo Suzart via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:40 UFC Debut: UFC Fight Night 213 | Cortes-Acosta def. Jared Vanderaa via unanimous decision
Hailey Cowan
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: (R-L) Hailey Cowan elbows Claudia Leite of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week four at UFC APEX on August 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 30: (L-R) Viktoriia Dudakova of Russia works for a submission against Maria Silva of Brazil in a strawweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week six at UFC APEX on August 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 52 Result: Viktoriya Dudakova def. Maria Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sedriques Dumas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 30: Sedriques Dumas reacts after his submission victory over Matej Penaz of the Czech Republic in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week six at UFC APEX on August 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 52 Result: Sedriques Dumas def. Matej Penaz via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:47
Chris Duncan
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 02: (R-L) Chris Duncan of Scotland punches Charlie Campbell in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week two at UFC APEX on August 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 48 Result: Chris Duncan def. Charlie Campbell via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:43
Rafael Ramos Estevam
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: (R-L) Rafael Estevam of Brazil punches Joao Elias of Brazil in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week ten at UFC APEX on September 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 56 Result: Rafael Ramos Estevam def. João Elias via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:25
Brunno Ferreira
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: (R-L) Brunno Ferreira of Brazil punches Leon Aliu of Albania in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six week nine at UFC APEX on September 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 55 Result: Brunno Ferreira def. Leon Aliu via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
Jafel Filho
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: (R-L) Jafel Filho of Brazil works for a submission against Roybert Echeverria of Venezuela in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six week nine at UFC APEX on September 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (14-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 55 Result: Jafel Filho def. Roybert Echeverria via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:31
Darrius Flowers
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Amiran Gogoladze of Georgia reacts after suffering an injury from a slam by Darrius Flowers in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week five at UFC APEX on August 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (12-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 51 Result: Darrius Flowers def. Amiran Gogoladze via TKO (slam) – Round 1, 1:13
Billy Goff
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 02: Billy Goff reacts after his TKO victory over Shimon Smotritsky of Israel in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week two at UFC APEX on August 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 48 Result: Billy Goff def. Shimon Smotritsky via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:37
Denise Gomes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Denise Gomes of Brazil punches Rayanne Amanda of Brazil in a strawweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week five at UFC APEX on August 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 51 Result: Denise Gomes def. Rayanne Amanda via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) UFC Debut: UFC Fight Night 210 | Loma Lookboonmee def. Gomes via unanimous decision
Jack Jenkins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: (R-L) Jack Jenkins of Australia punches Emiliano Linares of Ecuador in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week ten at UFC APEX on September 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 56 Result: Jack Jenkins def. Freddy Emiliano Linares via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:30
Jose Johnson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: (R-L) Jose Johnson elbows Jack Cartwright of England in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week four at UFC APEX on August 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (15-7 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 50 Result: Jose Johnson def. Jack Cartwright via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
Yusaku Kinoshita
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 30: (R-L) Yusaku Kinoshita of Japan kicks Jose Henrique of Brazil in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week six at UFC APEX on August 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 52 Result: Yusaku Kinoshita def. Jose Henrique via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:43
Austen Lane
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: (R-L) Austen Lane punches Richard Jacobi of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six week nine at UFC APEX on September 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (12-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 55 Result: Austen Lane def. Richard Jacobi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:34
Daniel Marcos
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: (R-L) Daniel Marcos of Peru punches Brandon Lewis in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week eight at UFC APEX on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 54 Result: Daniel Marcos def. Brandon Lewis via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
Francis Marshall
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 02: (L-R) Francis Marshall punches Connor Matthews in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week two at UFC APEX on August 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 48 Result: Francis Marshall def. Connor Matthews via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–26) UFC Debut: UFC Fight Night 214 | Marshall def. Marcelo Rojo via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:14
Mateus Mendonca
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Mateus Mendonca of Brazil knocks out Ashiek Ajim of Trinidad and Tobago in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week ten at UFC APEX on September 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: Bo Nickal reacts after his submission victory over Donovan Beard in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week ten at UFC APEX on September 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 56 Result: Bo Nickal def. Donovan Beard via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 0:52
Mick Parkin
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Mick Parkin of England punches Eduardo Neves of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week five at UFC APEX on August 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 51 Result: Mick Parkin def. Eduardo Neves via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:57
Sam Patterson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Sam Patterson of England punches Vinicius Cenci of Brazil in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week ten at UFC APEX on September 27, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (10-1-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 56 Result: Sam Patterson def. Vinicius Cenci via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:18
Trevor Peek
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: (R-L) Trevor Peek punches Malik Lewis in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week eight at UFC APEX on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 54 Result: Trevor Peek def. Malik Lewis via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:37
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 09: (L-R) Jamal Pogues punches Paulo Renato Junior of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week three at UFC APEX on August 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 49 Result: Jamal Pogues def. Paulo Renato Jr. via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
Joe Pyfer
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 26: (L-R) Joe Pyfer punches Ozzy Diaz in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series Season 6 Week 1 at UFC APEX on July 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 47 Result: Joe Pyfer def. Ozzy Diaz via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:39 UFC Debut: UFC Fight Night 210 | Pyfer def. Alen Amedovski via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:55
Mateusz Rebecki
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 30: (R-L) Mateusz Rebecki of Poland battles Rodrigo Lidio of Brazil in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week six at UFC APEX on August 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: (R-L) Claudio Ribeiro of Brazil battles Ivan Valenzuela of Mexico in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week four at UFC APEX on August 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 50 Result: Claudio Ribeiro def. Ivan Valenzuela via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:25
Esteban Ribovics
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: (R-L) Esteban Ribovics of Argentina knocks out Thomas Paull of England in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week four at UFC APEX on August 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 50 Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Thomas Paull via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:30
Raul Rosas Jr.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: (R-L) Raul Rosas Jr. battles Mando Gutierrez in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six week nine at UFC APEX on September 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 55 Result: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Mando Gutierrez via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) UFC Debut: UFC 282 | Rosas def. Jay Perrin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:44
Nazim Sadykhov
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: (R-L) Nazim Sadykhov of Russia elbows Ahmad Hassanzada of Afghanistan in a lightweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week four at UFC APEX on August 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 50 Result: Nazim Sadykhov def. Ahmad Suhail Hassanzada via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 1:59
Cameron Saaiman
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Cameron Saaiman of South Africa kicks Joshua Wang-Kim in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week five at UFC APEX on August 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 51 Result: Cameron Saaiman def. Josh Wang-Kim via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 2:52 UFC Debut: UFC 282 | Saaiman def. Steven Koslow via TKO (knees, punches) – Round 3, 4:13
Vinicius Salvador
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 02: (L-R) Vinicius Salvador of Brazil kicks Shannon Ross of Australia in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week two at UFC APEX on August 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (14-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 48 Result: Vinicius Salvador def. Shannon Ross via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:22
Erik Silva
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 09: (L-R) Erik Silva of Venezuela kicks Anvar Boynazarov of Uzbekistan in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season six, week three at UFC APEX on August 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 49 Result: Erik Silva def. Anvar Boynazarov via TKO (elbows, punches) – Round 1, 1:32 UFC Debut: UFC 282 | TJ Brown def. Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:41
Karl Williams
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 06: (R-L) Karl Williams punches Jimmy Lawson in a heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender series season six, week seven at UFC APEX on September 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Current record: (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Contract-winning Event: DWCS 53 Result: Karl Williams def. Jimmy Lawson via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
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