Dana White’s Contender Series 2024: 5 UK Mma Prospects to Look Out For

Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) is a competition in which UFC boss Dana White faces off against highly touted prospects to fight for a multi-fight contract with the UFC. By far the biggest promotion in the sport it is every MMA fighter’s dream to get the call up to the UFC.

For years the UK Mixed Martial Arts scene has flown under the radar. Before Birmingham’s own Leon “Rocky” Edwards, no fighter from a UK training camp had touched UFC gold.

However, things are changing and the Brits are stealing the spotlight. Particularly with the likes of the aforementioned Leon Edwards and more recently Tom Aspinall’s championship success.

But it is not just the champions putting Great Britain on the map. UFC prospects such as; Arnold Allen, Muhammad Mokaev, Lerone Murphy, Paddy Pimblett, Michael Page, and Christian Leroy Duncan, to name a few, are all tearing through their respective divisions.

Currently, there are 5 more British fighters due to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS): Season 8, in August 2024.

Here is a list of British MMA fighters currently scheduled for Dana White’s Contender series: Season 8.

Dwcs Week 1 (13/08/2024): – Lone’Er Kavanagh

Lone’er Kavanagh has stormed his way to the top of the list of rising UK MMA prospects. Just 25 years old the Great Britain Top Team Flyweight counter-striker is a joy to watch.

With a flawless record of 6-0-0, 4 Knockouts and 2 Decisions, Lone’er is electric. Once again, thanks to Cage Warriors, another talented Brit gets their shot at the top. After just 4 fights at the promotion, he pricked up the ears of the UFC and earned himself a shot at DWCS.

Kavanagh’s technique is beautiful deceptively switching his strikes as much as he switches his stance. High or low, kick or punch, Lone’er Kavanagh is impossible to read, effortlessly switching from southpaw to orthodox.

He has risen to his spot on DWCS making the sport of MMA look easy along the way. Partial to a variety of spinning attacks disguised in a barrage of feints there’s not much that Kavanagh hasn’t thrown.

Lone’er is scheduled to fight also 6-0-0 Flyweight An Tuan Ho in the opening week of Dana White’s Contender Series. An Tuan Ho is the latest emergence of the recently emphatic MMA Lab in Glendale Arizona.

With teammates such as Sean O’Malley, Mario Bautista and Kyler Phillips An Tuan Ho will be no stranger to mysterious strikers.

Come August who will be the one to tarnish the other’s unblemished record?

Dwcs Week 3 (27/08/2024): – Adam “Samurai” Bramhald

Adam “Samurai” Bramhald is finally getting the credit he is due for the years of dedication he’s put into the sport. Bramhald trains out of Asylum Vale Tudo in Dewsbury, Leeds under the guidance of head coach and UFC veteran Danny “The Cheesecake Assassin” Mitchell.

Somewhat of a veteran’s record, current Caged Steel Bantamweight champion Adam had his first amateur fight way back in 2014. Now 30 years-old “Samurai” is given the opportunity to display his unique style to the world.

Unbeaten in 11 fights with a record of 13-2-0. Adam’s ten years of competition are reflected in the variety of wins on his record.

Adam Bramhald has won 6 fights by Knockout (4 first round), 4 by Submission and 3 by Decision. In addition to his variety of wins is his variety of submissions.

Winning by way of Brabo Choke, Armbar, Triangle Choke and an Anaconda, Adam puts the Mixed, in Mixed Martial Arts. Also worth mentioning is his work coaching over at Unrivalled MMA in Sheffield. To teach takes a deep knowledge of the sport and his high IQ fight style highlights this.

Adam enjoys most of his fight time on the feet setting traps with his elusive feints and lightning-fast footwork. But don’t be fooled as he is just as well versed in the grappling.

Adam faces off against 7-0-0 Malcolm Wellmaker on week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series. Both 30 years old with just a one-inch height advantage for Adam the matchmakers have conjured an evenly matched contest.

Keep your eyes peeled for the “Samurai’s” opportunity to stand out in August.

Dwcs Week 4 (03/09/2024): – Will “Drago” Currie

Unlike the previous 4 fighters Middleweight Will “Drago” Currie gets most of his success on the ground. Training out of the humble yet successful Gintas Combat in London the tight nit gym has aided Currie’s journey.

Teammate Modestas Bukauskas showed that even from a modest gym in Watford you can make it to the UFC. Will Currie aspires to do just that.

Currie has an impressive 12-3-0 record littered with a plethora of submissions. From Keylock’s, Arm Triangles, Americana’s, Triangles and Rear Naked Choke’s, you name it Will’s done it.

4 Knockouts, 6 Submissions and 2 Decisions tells the story, Will Currie is a finisher. His only losses are at the hands of former champion Christian Leroy Duncan (now in the UFC) and Mick Stanton.

An expert in BJJ With a wealth of experience against top touted Middleweights, Currie has the chance to break through to the premier organisation. It’s no secret what “Drago” aims to do however he is happy to stand and trade when needed.

He will fight Djorden Santos on week 4 of Dana White’s Contender Series. Santos too is a respected grappler with a 9-1-0 record. Both men with such a high level of grappling we may see them settle it on their feet.

Currie looks to submit his way to UFC stardom in just under 12 weeks.

Date/Opponent Tba: – “Lightning” Louis Lee Scott

Ares FC Bantamweight champion “Lightning” Louis Lee Scott is the latest explosive talent to emerge from Manchester Top Team. Born in Leeds, 24-year-old “Lightning” prides himself on his striking.

He is undefeated with a record of 8-0-0, 5 Knockouts, 1 Submission and 2 Decisions. Louis Lee Scott likes to stay busy with 4 fights since March 2023 all for different promotions.

With UFC president Dana White being a fan of active fighters it’s no wonder Louis Lee Scott caught the eye of the boss. He owes lots of his striking success to training affiliate and Muay Thai veteran Liam “The Hitman” Harrison.

Shades of “The Hitman” are evident when watching the young Lee Scott. Hammering leg kicks, long boxing combinations and persistent teeps to the body.

In his last fight, Louis was crowned Ares FC Bantamweight champion dominating Demarte Pena for 5 rounds. Lee Scott proves age is nothing but a number with his last three wins all against opposition 30 years or older. This bodes well for the deep Bantamweight talent pool of the UFC if “Lightning” emerges victorious.

The date and opponent standing across from Louis are yet to be announced.

Whoever it may be there is no denying that Louis Lee Scott is ready to compete with the best

Date/Opponent Tba: – Luke Riley

24-year-old Featherweight Luke Riley has been an unstoppable force since his professional debut for Cage Warriors in 2019. Liverpool-born Riley trains out of the fast-growing Next Generation MMA in Liverpool.

Training alongside UFC stars Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett and Molly “Meatball” McCann it was only a matter of time before he caught the attention of the UFC and DWCS is the perfect opportunity.

Riley is all too familiar with victory with an undefeated amateur and professional record. He boasts a perfect record of 9-0-0, 6 Knockouts, 3 Decisions.

Nicknameless Riley does not need to do any extra-curricular promoting, his style sells his fights. He won the Cage Warriors Fight of the Year award in 2023 for his back-and-forth brawl with Alexander Lööf.

A punch-heavy approach is Luke’s who thrives in the stand-up, reflected in his lack of submissions. Riley sits in a low orthodox stance and bounces in and out of range with flurries of hooks and uppercuts.

Paddy Pimblett famously said “I’m a scouser, we don’t get knocked out,” and Luke Riley reinforces this. Known for his durability Luke Riley can take clean shots on the chin and walk it off unfazed.

With the opponent and date still up in the air, Luke Riley is bound to give his all when the octagon doors shut.