Inside the process of being a UFC fighter: Getting a contract

In the first episode of a four-part series, UFC fighter Gian Villante discusses the process of becoming a UFC fighter, starting with getting a contract and preparing for the first bout.

Jon Wertheim | Nov 7, 2016

Inside the process of being a UFC fighter: Getting a contract /

This is the first of a four-part series with SI executive editor Jon Wertheim and UFC fighter Gian Villante on the process of being a UFC fighter, from getting a UFC contract, to the weight cut, fight night and more.

Part 1: Getting into the UFC, preparing for a fight

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Check back for part 2 of the series with Wertheim and Villante on the weight cut process of preparing for a UFC fight.

Published Nov 7, 2016

JON WERTHEIM

Jon Wertheim is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and has been part of the full-time SI writing staff since 1997, largely focusing on the tennis beat , sports business and social issues, and enterprise journalism. In addition to his work at SI, he is a correspondent for "60 Minutes" and a commentator for The Tennis Channel. He has authored 11 books and has been honored with two Emmys, numerous writing and investigative journalism awards, and the Eugene Scott Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Wertheim is a longtime member of the New York Bar Association (retired), the International Tennis Writers Association and the Writers Guild of America. He has a bachelor's in history from Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in New York City with his wife, who is a divorce mediator and adjunct law professor. They have two children.