UFC's new show 'Contender Series' sets premiere date

UFC’s new digital show “The Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series” will premiere later this month on the mixed martial arts promotion’s pay subscription service, "Fight Pass."

The show, which begins on July 11, will air weekly in two-and-a-half hour blocks, Variety reported. Each episode will take place at a Las Vegas-based UFC gym in front of a studio audience.

UFC President Dana White will host the series, which the organization says will serve as a tool to help identify talented fighters. Fighters who impress White and his colleagues will reportedly receive contract offers.

“This sport continues to get bigger all over the world, and the more fights we can put on, the more talent we can find, the better the events will be for the fans,” White said in a press release. “I love looking for up-and-coming talent. This show’s going to give us another opportunity to bring in young fighters who we think have potential to make it in the UFC or maybe even one day become world champions.”

The digital-only series is the UFC’s latest foray into original programming. Another series entitled “The Ultimate Fighter” airs on Fox Sports 1.

The UFC Fight Pass streaming service costs $9.99 month. The service provides access to both live events and original content.