Fans are Outraged as Dana White's Contender Series Signs a 3x Cage Warriors Champion
Three-time Cage Warriors champion George Hardwick (12-1-0) is set to make his elite-level debut against Abdul-Kareem Al Selwady as a part of Dana White's Contender's Series (DWCS) on August 15.
Fight fans are in disbelief that a defending promotional champion is being put through the "DWCS gauntlet" before being granted the opportunity to debut properly in the UFC. Many believe Hardwick's achievements in Cage Warriors should be proof enough for his position in the UFC roster, and that DWCS is normally reserved for unproven regional talent, not established champions.
Twitter user @Grabaka_Hitman was perplexed:
"After 6 years of DWCS I'm still confused about how they choose who is worthy of being signed outright and who needs to "audition" for a contract. You'd think a defending CW champ with the finishing skills of Hardwick wouldn't need that extra step, but alright."
Twitter user @MMAobservations remarked:
"George Hardwick is better than the contender series ffs"
@penkysmma was disappointed to say the least:
"George deserves far better than contender and a 12/12 contract"
Another user @LazyyTea shared the same sentiment, pointing out how the UFC signed Jesse Butler to fight Jim Miller on two days notice on June 4:
"They brought in a guy for his UFC debut on 2 days notice to fight Jim Miller but George who has multiple CW title defences has to run the DWCS gauntlet. Right. Makes complete sense."
LFA 155lb champ Aaron Mckenzie was also annoyed with the decision:
"Apparently getting in at 155 is damn near impossible and you have to take the hardest road available to get there."
User @Ocelot_MMA Tweeted:
"UFC have an England card in July and a France card in September.
"Either events would be improved with a George Hardwick fight.
"Instead we get a soulless Apex fight.
"Baffled."
Adding to the commotion, the UFC recently made headlines by announcing the signings of WMMA fighters Luana Santos (5-1) and Shauna Bannon (5-0).
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The news broke on the same day as Hardwick's signing, and brings into question the standards of UFC signings when a championship level fighter with more fights than Santos and Bannon combined is relegated to the Contender Series.
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