UFC president has long, long, long wanted to a weekday fight event, inspired by boxing’s Gillette’s Friday Night Fights in the 1950s and USA Tuesday Night Fights in the 80s and 90s. At the beginning of his tenure with the UFC, he tried to raise interest in something similar for MMA, but ended up doing a reality television series called The Ultimate Fighter.
The final episode of that literally cemented mixed martial arts as a sport with the potential to become huge. And it did – last year the UFC sold for about four billion dollars, the largest sale in sports history.
White finally got his wish. “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series will debut on July 11 on UFC Fight Pass. The series will feature hot prospects not quite yet in the big show, former UFC fighters, and the journeymen in between. And the first five fights have been named.
Matt Bessette vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Greg Rebello vs. Azunna Anyanwu
Boston Salmon vs. Ricky Turcios
Charles Byrd vs. Justin Jones
Manny Vazquez vs. Joby Sanchez
Of particular interest for New England fans is the series debut of Matt Bessette. ‘The Mangler’ is currently on a seven-fight win streak, all inside the distance, and all extremely exciting. Bessette faces Kurt Holobaugh, who lost a decision in his sole UFC appearance but has gone 8-2 since, most recently stopping Gesias Cavalcante at Titan FC 44 in May.
Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series will take place at The Ultimate Fighter gym in Las Vegas. Unlike the demonstration fights that take place for TUF, these bouts will count on a fighter’s official record.
