UFC ‘Contender Series’ results, live coverage and full fight highlights | Season 9, Ep. 1

It’s that time of year again!

Contender Series is back with 10 straight weeks of mixed martial arts (MMA) action. This week’s show starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ (because of The Ultimate Fighter 33 final episodes), and then things switch back to the usual 8 p.m. ET time slot moving forward.

In the main event, Middleweights collide as France’s Ilian Bouafia (6-0) fights Brazil’s Neemias Santana (7-2-1). The co-main event sees Ring of Combat (ROC) Welterweight champion, Jimmy Drago (7-2), take on undefeated Ty Miller (5-0). In the “Featured” bout, Murtaza Talha (7-1) returns for a second shot at a UFC contract against knockout artist, Baysangur Susurkaev (8-0). Two of the best Featherweight prospects on the regional scene also collide as Radley Silva (7-1) fights George Mangos (7-0). Finally, the fight that kicks off the show may have the biggest stakes as Middleweight Yuri Panferov (8-1) returns for a second chance at a contract and Chris Ewert (7-0) — who was cut from UFC for missing weight — looks for redemption.

‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:

‘Contender Series’ Highlights & Results:

185 lbs: Ilian Bouafia defeats Neemias Santana via unanimous decision

170 lbs: Ty Miller defeats Jimmy Drago via unanimous decision

185 lbs: MurtazBaysangur Susurkaev defeats Murtaza Talha via knockout

145 lbs: Radley Silva defeats George Mangos via unanimous decision

185 lbs: Yuri Panferov defeats Chris Ewert via unanimous decision