DWCS 77, opening night of the ninth year of Contender Series, is here! Tonight, another summer and early fall of midweek MMA action kicks off from the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, NV.
Through eight seasons of the show, nearly 300 fighters have graduated to MMA’s top promotion, the UFC. 42 of those fighters were signed to the promotion as a direct result of appearing on Contender Series last year.
Tonight, season nine of Contender Series begins with DWCS 77. Live coverage of the show is seen as usual on ESPN+, but it does so at the earlier start time of 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT, so as to not conflict with this week’s final program-length episode of The Ultimate Fighter 33 on ESPN2.
After a successful weigh-in window yesterday morning, tonight’s five-fight schedule will take place as planned.
DWCS 77 Main Event: Ilian Bouafia vs. Neemias Santana
At the top of the bill tonight, the middleweights take to the cage. Ilian Bouafia (6-0 MMA) meets Neemias Santana (7-2-1 MMA.) All fights tonight and throughout the season on Contender Series are three rounds at five minutes per round.
DWCS 77 Co-Main Event: Ty Miller vs. Jimmy Drago
Immediately beforehand, the co-main event sees welterweight action taking place. Ty Miller (5-0, 1 NC MMA) squares off against Jimmy Drago (7-2, 1 NC MMA.)
Rest of the Card
Also on DWCS 77 tonight, you’ll see a middleweight contest between Baysangur Susurkaev (8-0 MMA) and Murtaza Talha (7-2 MMA), a featherweight contest pairing Radley Da Silva (7-1 MMA) with George Mangos (7-0 MMA) and a middleweight fight versing Christopher Ewert (7-0 MMA) and Yuri Panferov (8-1 MMA.)
DWCS 77 Results:
Card: (Tonight, earlier time of 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT, ESPN+- United States Only- Show returns to 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT next Tuesday, Aug. 19.)
DWCS 77 Main Event: Ilian Bouafia def. Neemias Santana by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27.)
Co-Main Event: Ty Miller def. Jimmy Drago by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27.) Miller awarded UFC contract.
Front kick KO 🤯
We have the first big moment of #DWCS Season 9! pic.twitter.com/wI7kHv1XJR
— UFC (@ufc) August 13, 2025
Baysangur Susurkaev def. Murtaza Talha by TKO (Kick to the Body) at 3:04 into Round 1. Susurkaev awarded UFC contract.
Radley Da Silva def. George Mangos by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)
Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27.)
