Dana White's Contender Series graduates to compete at UFC Tampa

The UFC Tampa card on Saturday will showcase a group of talented fighters from Dana White's Contender Series, who are making their mark in the UFC.

The event, which is the final UFC show of the year, features several fighters who earned their spot in the promotion through the Contender Series, a platform that has become a key scouting ground for future stars.

Among the standout names is Billy Quarantillo, a fighter born in New York but training out of Tampa, Florida. Quarantillo has had an up-and-down UFC career since debuting in December 2019, posting a 6-4 record in the Octagon.

Known for his aggressive style, Quarantillo has finished four of his six wins, with three knockouts and one submission. Quarantillo initially sought a UFC contract through The Ultimate Fighter in 2015, but after a solid regional circuit career, he eventually earned his UFC spot in 2019 with a knockout win over Kamuela Kirk.

Another exciting prospect is Vitor Petrino, who will make his third UFC appearance on Saturday against Dustin Jacoby.

Petrino, who earned his UFC contract with a knockout win on the Contender Series in 2022, has been impressing fans with his undefeated run before suffering a setback against Anthony Smith in his last bout. Petrino’s explosive striking has made him a top prospect in the light heavyweight division.

Dustin Jacoby, his opponent, brings a wealth of experience to the fight, but his recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in his last five bouts.

Jacoby’s striking background, having competed in kickboxing and MMA, makes him a dangerous opponent despite recent setbacks.

Adrian Yanez, another Contender Series graduate, will also be featured in the event. Yanez has had a solid UFC career at bantamweight with a 6-2 record.

After suffering his first back-to-back losses in 2023, Yanez rebounded with a dominant win earlier this year and aims to continue his momentum.

Daniel Marcos, who also debuted in the UFC after a Contender Series win, has had an impressive start to his UFC career with two wins in 2023. The Peruvian fighter faces his toughest test yet in Yanez, as both fighters look to cement their status as rising stars in the bantamweight division.

Other notable Contender Series alumni include Navajo Stirling, the City Kickboxing product who’s making waves in the UFC with his undefeated record and striking skills.

Also featured is Sean Woodson, who’s been building a solid UFC career with a 6-1-1 record, and Ramon Tavares, who has bounced back from a loss on the Contender Series to prove himself in the UFC.

Lastly, Josefine Knutsson, one of the most exciting prospects in the strawweight division, brings an undefeated 8-0 record to the table. Knutsson has been building a solid MMA career, including a strong showing on the Contender Series, and now faces Piera Rodriguez in the opening bout of UFC Tampa.

Rodriguez, a former LFA strawweight champion, is aiming to bounce back after a difficult period, including a disqualification loss earlier this year. This bout represents a crucial opportunity for both fighters to make a statement in the strawweight division.

With such an array of rising stars, UFC Tampa is shaping up to be an exciting night of action, with multiple Contender Series graduates looking to prove their worth on the big stage.