Week 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2025) took place Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.

Rashid Vagabov

• Weight Class: Flyweight
• Result: Rashid Vagabov def. Paulo da Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Grade: B

Summary: Despite Rashid Vagabov showing the skills to be UFC-ready, I couldn’t help but feel short-changed by the Russian fighter for seemingly cruising to the finish line in a fight where he was – not only a massive favorite – but was also doing a ton of trash talking and showboating.

In fact, said showboating not only cost Vagabov a letter grade in my book, but, more importantly, it also cost him a UFC contract (as Dana White and I appeared to be on the same page for this one).

I appreciated that Vagabov tried to show off more of his striking than usual to start the contest. Still, he’ll likely have to rely on his connections with Khabib Nurmagomedov and company if he wants a short-notice call-up opportunity in the future.

Kurtis Campbell

• Weight Class: Featherweight
• Result: Kurtis Campbell def. Demba Seck via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 1, 1:20
• Grade: A

Summary: Despite looking and sounding like a creepy women’s MMA simp in his promotional video package, Kurtis Campbell earns an A for backing up his entertainment upside with some solid skills to boot.

On the feet, Campbell appears to have a solid southpaw striking process that he can connect to phase-changing offense. And once Campbell was able to change levels on Demba Seck, there was an even wider skills gap on the floor that the scouser was happy to take advantage of.

I really liked the tactics and overall process I see in Campbell’s game, so signing him was a no-brainer. I don’t think the UFC brass will rush Campbell too quickly, so I’m not sure how soon we can expect a turnaround.

Should Campbell fight by year’s end, then it will likely be against someone like Robert Ruchala on an international card.

Christopher Alvidrez

• Weight Class: Welterweight
• Result:Christopher Alvidrez def. Eliezer Kubanza via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:44
• Grade: A

Summary: In a battle of prospects, Christopher Alvidrez comes out on top in stunning fashion after storming Eliezer Kubanza’s proverbial castle.

Kubanza, who certainly looks the part of a prospect, was more than moderately favored to win this fight. And though he was able to debase Alvidrez on multiple occasions with the stupid horsepower behind his kicks, the American fighter was able to steadily find his range and zero in on his target.

Although Kubanza was offensively potent, Alvidrez exposed some of his defense flaws (and possible durability issues) en route to plastering his opponent with a cross-hook combo for the win.

I’m not sure how fast Alvidrez will be turning around considering he was on crutches post-fight, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him tested against someone like Rodrigo Sezinando.

Louis Jordain

• Weight Class: Bantamweight
• Result:Louis Jourdain def. Magno Dias via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 0:39
• Grade: A

Summary: Despite finding himself in some brief trouble early, Louis Jourdain earns a solid A for taking apart Magno Dias inside of three frames.

I’m a bit biased given that Jourdain was on my MMA Junkie prospects to watch column for 2024, but the Canadian showed why I and many have been high on his entertaining skill set.

I didn’t like how Jourdain was almost choked out scrambling from bottom, but he looked incredibly smooth when transitioning from topside.

It was cool to see Jourdain get signed and officially join his brother in the UFC ranks. As far as Jourdain’s first assignment goes, I say throw him straight in there with Gaston Bolanos for the sensibly-matched striker’s delight.

Damian Pinas

• Weight Class: Middleweight
• Result: Damian Pinas def. Vitor Costa via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:46
• Grade: A

Summary: In what was easily the performance I popped hardest for, Damian Pinas earns an easy A for punctuating a fun evening by putting away Vitor Costa in emphatic fashion.

I was admittedly a bit disappointed when Pinas withdrew earlier this season, but he more than made up for it in this spot.

Pinas started the fight a bit sheepish and shelled up (which can be normal if you’re familiar with Pinas’ approach), but 23-year-old Pinas was able to open up more after getting warm.

For the most part, Pinas was smooth and stayed long with hard, straight shots that he repeatedly fed Costa down the pike. And after a few stanzas, Pinas was able to ply his patented money shot on Costa’s face, sending him dumbfounded to the floor.

Pinas was definitely a shower, but I’m genuinely curious to see how much growing Pinas can do given his propensity to finish incredibly fast. Luckily for the Nova Uniao product, the UFC’s middleweight division offers a wide array of men who will gladly test Pinas’ durability and skills ceiling.

The UFC president always tells the fighters on his show, “Make me have to have you.” Thankfully for us all, Dana White had to have himself some Pinas.

Although you could hypothetically pair Pinas up with anyone in the weight class for a good time, I hope that the matchmakers don’t rush him given his age. I say match Pinas up with someone like Nick Klein or Zachary Reese to get him started.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White’s Contender Series 84 grades: Who shined brightest?

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