Jamie Pickett unloaded a barrage of punches to finish Jhonoven Pati in the second round to earn a UFC contract last week. The Season 4, Week 4 moment was especially savory for Pickett, who failed to earn a contract during his first two appearances on Dana White's Contender Series.
Dennis Buzukja and Melsik Baghdasaryan will now look to deliver highlights of their own, as they clash in the main event of the Contender Series' Season 4, Week 5 installment, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Both Buzukja and Baghdasaryan enter the Octagon sporting a 4-1 record, but Buzukja owns the more intrigue as the reigning Ring of Combat featherweight champion. He has also signed with Paradigm Sports Management, which represents MMA sensations Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya.
A savage knockout win — just the way White likes it — would give the 22-year-old Buzukja a launching pad to spring toward success in the UFC. He, Baghdasaryan and eight more fighters will all look to secure UFC contracts during Week 5 of the Contender Series.
What is Dana White's Contender Series?
Dana White's Contender Series keeps giving fighters on the rise opportunities to earn a contract with the UFC. The series has already helped launch the careers of Sean O’Malley, Edmen Shahbazyan, Maycee Barber, Dan Ige and Sodiq Yusuff to name a few. This season alone, fans have already witnessed brothers Louis and Orion Cosce, and most recently a persistent Pickett, earn UFC contracts.
When is Dana White's Contender Series?
- Season 4, Week 5 date: Sept. 1
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Contender Series continues with Week 5, as Buzukja vs. Baghdasaryan in the main event and Jimmy Flick vs. Nate Smith in the co-feature lead the five-fight card, with all participants aiming to impress White enough to earn a contract and change their lives. Each episode of the show has 10 fighters stepping into the Octagon each Tuesday night. All 10 fighters for Week 5 made weight Monday, although light heavyweight William Knight needed a second attempt on the scale.
Dana White's Contender Series: Season 4, Week 5 TV, live stream
- ESPN+
Viewers can live-stream the Season 4, Week 5 show of Dana White's Contender Series on ESPN+, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.
Dana White's Contender Series: Season 4, Week 5 full fight card
- Dennis Buzukja (145.5) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (145); Featherweight
- Jimmy Flick (125.5) vs. Nate Smith (125.5); Flyweight
- Jose Johnson (135) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (135.5); Bantamweight
- Cody Brundage (205) vs. William Knight (206); Light heavyweight
- Chase Gibson (156) vs. Tucker Lutz (155.5); Lightweight