5 fighters who got their "big break" on Dana White's Contender Series

#4. Ricky Simón - Dana White's Contender Series Season 1

Ricky Simón has a record of 20-3

Ricky Simón didn't do enough on Dana White's Contender Series to immediately secure a contract. His split decision win meant that he had to take on two further fights before eventually making his UFC debut in 2018 which saw him pick up a win over Merab Dvalishivili, which has aged very well.

Simón has suffered two losses inside the octagon, one of which grabbed headlines as it was to a 41-year-old Uriah Faber. However, he has now bounced back from that slip in a big way, most recently handing Jack Shore the first loss of his professional career.

Simón is now riding a five-fight winning streak and has risen to no. 11 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. There are few fighters at 135 lbs currently carrying more momentum than Simón.

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#3. Jamahal Hill - Dana White's Contender Series Season 3

Jamahal Hill has a record of 10-1 (1 NC)

Jamahal Hill secured his entry into the UFC with a second-round TKO victory in his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series. Since then, he has suffered just one defeat after falling prey to Paul Craig's renowned BJJ skills. Despite that loss, he is currently one of the hottest prospects at 205 lbs.

Hill bounced back from the loss with a first-round KO of Jimmy Crute to earn himself his first fight night main event. In that bout, he picked up another first-round KO, this time over fellow DWCS alumni Johnny Walker, to put the division on notice and break into the top 10.

He is next scheduled to face another Brazilian in Thiago Santos, where he will likely be a significant favorite. Should he win, it will be time to start matching him up with some of the elites of the division and see just how much he has to offer.