Dana White’s Contender Series is officially back for another season.
All 10 competitors slated to fight on Week 1 made weight without issue ahead of their respective bouts on Monday. The show awards UFC contracts to fighters who impress Dana White with their performance.
The Contender Series takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday and airs on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The evening’s featured bout is a middleweight showdown pitting Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) against Wesley Schultz (185).
Anchored at MMA Masters, Abdul Malik will take a 5-0 mark into the matchup with Schultz. He last appeared at LFA 176 on Feb. 9, when he defeated Allan St-Gelais via first-round knockout. All five of his professional triumphs have come inside of a round.
Schultz, meanwhile, has competed primarily for LFA while compiling a 6-1 record. He’s won his last three outings inside of a round, including a stoppage of Adland Benson at LFA 181 on April 5.
Contender Series Weigh-in Results:
Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) vs. Wesley Schultz (185)
Meng Ding (170.5) vs. Rami Hamed (170)
Mikheil Sazhiniani (205) vs. Bruno Lopes (203.5)
Jose Delgado (145.5) vs. Ernie Juarez (145)
Lone’er Kavanagh (126) vs. An Tuan Ho (125.5)
