Every champion in MMA history started out somewhere.
For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey begins long before they strap on UFC, Bellator or PFL gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, few will succeed.
This month, five fighters on the verge of achieving major promotion notoriety – one for the second time – return to the cage for what could be their stepping-stone fight. There are dozens of fighters close to making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.
- A “TUF 29” cast member hopes his battles inside the cage lead to a UFC contract as he continues to fight a different kind of fight to make his community safer outside of it.
- An explosive Brazilian out of Xtreme Couture sees knockouts as his way to get into the UFC – and he’s nearing closer and closer as the highlight reel expands.
- The front-runner candidate to be the next Tristar fighter to sign with a major promotion, an exciting lightweight travels into enemy territory against perhaps his biggest name to date.
- An Arizona-based, Sierra Leone-born bantamweight aims to be the first born in his country to grace the UFC, but he needs to pick up another win in Fury FC first.
- A 21-year-old undefeated phenom who already has double-digit pro wins faces his toughest test to date with major promotion circling the waters.