Dana White‘s Contender Series returned for Week Seven; fans witnessed chaos, skill, and heartbreak. The women’s flyweight matchup between Jeisla Chaves and Sofia Montenegro immediately became one of the DWCS’s bloodiest and most heated fights. From the first punch, both competitors gave it their all, leaving spectators and commentators stunned. Yet while one walked away with a decision, Dana White had a surprise twist waiting.
The fight itself was a brutal display of resilience. Chaves, a former ring girl, withstood Montenegro’s early onslaught and even stunned her opponent with an explosive blow in the second round. Montenegro, as relentless as ever, returned fire in the final frame, dropping Chaves and unleashing enormous ground-and-pound in an attempt to end the fight.
Commentators highlighted the intensity, with Dan Hellie saying, “Both of them looking like Terminators with the blood all over their face,” and Laura Sanko mentioning Chaves’ stunning shift from ring girl to warrior. After three exhausting rounds, the judges handed Chaves a split decision. But the real story wasn’t the official result; it was Dana White’s reaction.
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Despite Chaves being awarded the winner, the UFC CEO openly expressed his disagreement with the judges. “I didn’t have Chaves winning the fight; I had Sofia winning the fight, but I’m not a judge,” Dana White said. In a rare move, he renewed both fighters’ UFC contracts, recognizing their heart, skill, and entertainment they provided.
“What I can do is sign both of you… Congratulations to both of them. Absolute war,” he added, marking a watershed event in DWCS history in which both the winner and the loser earned a spot in the UFC. It is worth noting that this is not the first time Dana White has praised a losing fighter’s performance.
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Carlos Candelario lost a close split decision to Victor Altamirano on DWCS back in 2021, but the controversial outcome and his strong performance earned him a UFC contract. White’s decision to award Montenegro a contract despite her loss exemplifies that mentality, which prioritizes potential, passion, and spectacle over some numbers on a scorecard.
The Chaves vs. Montenegro fight will surely be remembered, and not just for its violence and drama, but also for its unexpected ending. Both women will now bring their DWCS momentum into the UFC, laying the groundwork for the 2025 season and reminding fans why the Contender Series continues to provide unforgettable moments. But what about the others on the card? Who else won their ticket to the UFC?
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Dana White hands out six contracts across ten fighters
Aside from the epic Chaves vs. Montenegro war, Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series was jam-packed with high-stakes action. Six of 10 fighters won UFC contracts, showing that the company valued standout performances as much as official outcomes. White made it clear that dominating performances, skill, and potential can be as important as judges’ scores.
Rafael Tobias of Brazil kicked off the night with a first-round submission over Jair de Oliveira, securing his position in the light heavyweight division, while Javier Reyes followed with a first-round knockout of short-notice replacement Justice Torres, securing his spot in the featherweight division.
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Murtazali Magomedov continued his unbeaten streak with a TKO over Brahyan Zurcher, while Lithuanian Mantas Kondratavičius stopped Đani Barbir in the main event, earning what White called a “no brainer” UFC contract.
Along with these dominant winners, Chaves and Montenegro won a unique double contract, emphasizing the Contender Series’ belief that heart, resilience, and entertainment are just as important as victory. Week 7 proved why the series is still the top testing ground for UFC talent, combining spectacular finishes with performances that make an indelible impression on fans and the promotion alike.