Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place Tuesday, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Since its inception in 2017, 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, here are the grades for the winning fighters – regardless of whether or not they earned a UFC contract –  and an assessment of their probability to return to a UFC stage. Cody Haddon LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 20: (R-L) Cody Haddon of Australia secures a rear choke submission against Billy Brand in a bantamweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series, season eight week two on August 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Weight class : Bantamweight Result : Cody Haddon def. Billy Brand via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09 Grade : A Summary : In what was easily the most impressive performance of the night, Cody Haddon earns an easy A for finishing Billy Brand.