Each champion in MMA historical past began someplace.
For many who make it to the best stage, the journey begins lengthy earlier than they strap on UFC, Bellator or PFL gloves. Trendy-era fighters progress via the regional ranks with hopes of conducting the best accolades. Many will attempt, few will succeed.
This month, 10 fighters on the verge of reaching main promotion notoriety – one for the second time – return to the cage for what may very well be their stepping-stone combat. There are dozens of fighters shut to creating the bounce within the coming weeks, however these 5 are notably exemplary.
Jamie Siraj
File: 12-2
Age: 30
Top: 5’8″
Weight: Light-weight
Birthplace: Canada
Subsequent combat: Dec. 4 def. Nemat Abradashitov (19-9) by way of TKO (ground-and-pound) – Spherical 5 at Tuff-N-Uff 140 in Las Vegas (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Jamie Siraj wanted an outlet away from a “tough” dwelling life. That’s when he joined Revolution Martial Arts. Former UFC fighter Kajan Johnson served as one of many head coaches. Siraj had his first combat at age 15 and was instantly hooked. After a 7-2 beginner profession, Siraj turned professional in 2014. Since a 3-2 begin, Siraj hasn’t misplaced. In 2019, Siraj was on the doorstep for a UFC name, aligned for Dana White’s Contender Sequence. Nevertheless, Siraj fell in poor health and medical doctors didn’t know why. After an extended, grueling interval of his physique failing, Siraj was identified with hyper IGE Syndrome, an immunodeficiency dysfunction. It rendered him largely unable to operate, septic, and close to dying. By means of remedy, Siraj is now again to a largely regular life. In June 2023, for the primary time in 4 years, Siraj fought and received for Battlefield Struggle League. He was supplied a spot on “The Final Fighter 32,” however was one of many ultimate cuts from the roster – a transfer that stunned him, contemplating he flew all the best way out to Las Vegas. In Could, he completed then-8-1 Tariel Abbasov by submission. In September, he defeated David Briones by unanimous choice. Now, he faces his hardest take a look at thus far.
In his personal phrases: “For 4 years, it appeared like I’d by no means be combating once more. Now, I’m simply attempting to make up for misplaced time. I’m attempting to remain as lively as attainable. I really feel just like the trajectory my profession was on earlier than I acquired sick was that I used to be operating via folks. Nobody was (stopping me). The fights didn’t even look remotely aggressive. I simply wish to proceed off that trajectory and wrack up these finishes and earn my spot again within the UFC. I do know that’s the place I belong. I consider particularly with a end over Nemat, I feel that places me proper again there. How may it not?”
Valesca Machado
Valesca Machado def. Yulia Ostroverkhova – Invicta FC 56
File: 14-4
Age: 29
Top: 5’4″
Weight: Strawweight
Birthplace: Brazil
Subsequent combat: Dec. 13 vs. Yasmin Castanho (6-1) at Invicta FC 59 in Atlanta (CBS Sports Network)
Background: Valesca Machado was skeptical of martial arts the primary time she stepped foot inside a health club. Fairly frankly, she didn’t wish to be there in any respect. However via her coaching, Machado found loads about herself. By means of combating, she realized find out how to channel her psychological, bodily, and emotional well-being and progress in the precise course. After an 8-2 begin to her skilled profession, Machado had an enormous break: a shot on “Dana White’s Contender Sequence” in 2021. She misplaced a unanimous choice to Piera Rodriguez. Since then, she’s gone 6-1 along with her lone loss to Danni McCormack. That included Invicta FC and Urijah Faber’s A1 Fight championships. She’s received two-straight since her McCormack loss and a 3rd one consecutively may very well be the allure.
In her personal phrases: “Hopefully (on this combat) they may get to see one thing just like what they noticed on my final combat. … I consider I advanced loads (since my loss to McCormack). I wasn’t in a position to present it in my final combat however the distinction is evident in my coaching periods. … (If I win) I consider I’ve completed greater than sufficient to get a chance. … I consider that I’m able to face high competitors within the UFC. It could actually take a while and some fights to get somebody ranked, however I consider I’m able to face most ranked women.”
This interview was performed via a Portuguese language translator.
Matheus Camilo
File: 8-2
Age: 23
Top: 5’9″
Weight: Light-weight
Birthplace: Brazil
Subsequent combat: Dec. 14 vs. Dorobshokh Nabatov (8-0) at ZFN 2 in Goyang, South Korea (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Matheus Camilo solely began coaching eight years in the past. His first skilled combat was solely 5 years in the past. He initially began coaching at Nova Uniao underneath Aldo coach Andre Pederneiras in Rio de Janeiro for 3 years however finally moved to full-time in Las Vegas and began to coach at Xtreme Couture in 2021. Since a 4-2 begin to his professional MMA profession, Camilo has gone 5-0 with 4 finishes.
Watch the tape. It’s legitimately beautiful to study Camilo hasn’t competed longer, however it additionally explains why he’s needed to study on the fly – typically on the expense of his report. In current fights, when he’s fought his hardest competitors, he’s handed every take a look at with flying colours. Xtreme Couture members rave about his talent degree and now we’re seeing why. He’s a well-rounded risk who nonetheless has a ton of room to develop. That’s scary. With an upbeat character and enhancing English, Camilo may very well be a fan-favorite, particularly contemplating his combating model. Combating entrance of Dana White (even when remotely) for “Lookin’ for a Struggle,” this may very well be Camilo’s massive likelihood to show himself to the brass.
In his personal phrases: “My opponent is an efficient striker, however he likes to get it on the bottom. I’m ready for that. I’m ready to placed on a present. That is the combat of my life. I’ll depart all the pieces contained in the cage on Dec. 14. … That is my second. I’ve fought loads to get this chance. I combat. I left my household. I didn’t simply get on a microphone and discuss.
“… I wish to present Dana White who I’m. I do know he’s going to love me once I come throwing. What I’ve within me and my expertise is particular. … I’ll placed on a warfare. I do know he appears to be like that, when folks placed on a warfare. I really feel like all these years I’ve been working so arduous, since I used to be a child. Now, is my time. I really feel that. My goals are knocking on the door. That is what I’ve requested God for day-after-day. Now, it’s my time. I’ll put all the pieces into it.”
Michael Aswell
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 27: Michael Aswell reacts after the conclusion of a featherweight combat towards Bogdan Grad of Romania throughout Dana White’s Contender Sequence season eight, week three on August 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
File: 9-2
Age: 24
Top: 5’8″
Weight: Featherweight
Birthplace: Houston
Subsequent combat: Dec. 15 vs. Dorian Ramos (8-2) at Fury FC 99 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: A life-long athlete, Michael Aswell was launched to Saul Soliz’s health club for jiu-jitsu courses in eighth grade. He began competing round Texas, then picked up wrestling in highschool. Weighing 205-210 kilos, Aswell burned off 60 kilos forward of his beginner debut at featherweight at age 17. He misplaced that combat however then received 5 extra earlier than he turned skilled. He received his first seven professional fights earlier than a loss to present UFC fighter Yadier del Valle. Aswell received two after that, together with a Fury FC title bout. These earned him a crack on Dana White’s Contender Sequence in 2024. Whereas he didn’t win the bout or a contract, his gutsy efficiency had the UFC CEO praising Aswell and saying he was on the brief listing. One other win ought to push him via the door.
In his personal phrases: “In my head, I’ve simply been staying prepared in case a chance fell out. That MSG card got here into fruition, the Onama combat, it was all the pieces that I assumed. I used to be prepared and will make weight. I may make 145 and I assumed I used to be subsequent up, however I by no means acquired the decision. In my head, I used to be like, ‘If I didn’t get that decision, I don’t suppose I’m going to get one other one.’ … I simply want to remain lively and keep prepared. As quickly as that occurred, I known as (Fury FC promoter) Eric Garcia and was like, ‘Yo Eric, I want a combat. What can we acquired accessible?’
“… I realized in my Contender combat that I want to remain extra lively and alter it up a bit bit, throw extra variations, add some low kicks or add extra physique punches or simply kicks normally. I feel for me simply being extra artistic on the market (will assist). It was an enormous alternative and an enormous stage and I didn’t wish to mess up. I assumed possibly I used to be simply holding again a bit as a result of I didn’t wish to mess up. I stored it quite simple. That’s on me. I simply have gotten to be proactive and add extra energy photographs as a substitute of touches. There are a number of issues.
“… I’ve identified (I’m prepared) for some time. I’ve educated with the perfect since I used to be an beginner. I had coach Saul Soliz as my coach once I began within the MMA sport. That man would inform you straight up should you had it otherwise you don’t. He informed me I had it and he mentioned if I stored working I used to be going to get it. As soon as he handed, I went to Kansas Metropolis and I used to be coaching with Glory for a bit earlier than all of the stuff occurred. That they had 10 UFC guys within the room and I used to be competing with them. Onama, I used to be actually coaching with Onama day-after-day. We have been coaching companions in that room for months and he appreciated the best way I labored.”
Junior Cortez
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: Reyes Cortez prepares to combat Christian Rodriguez in a bantamweight combat throughout Dana White’s Contender Sequence season 5, week seven at UFC APEX on October 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
File: 8-3
Age: 32
Top: 5’7″
Weight: Bantamweight
Birthplace: Phoenix
Subsequent combat: Dec. 15 vs. Mana Martinez (10-5) at Fury FC 99 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Junior Cortez began his journey with youth wrestling, alongside his siblings, together with his sister Tracy Cortez. He immediately fell in love and received state 3 times in highschool. He wrestled collegiately at Rend Lake Faculty in Illinois. When members of the family have been identified with most cancers, Cortez returned dwelling to Arizona to help and stopped wrestling. To fill the aggressive void, Cortez leaned totally into martial arts. After a 4-1 profession as an beginner, Cortez turned professional. He went 5-1 earlier than incomes a shot on Dana White’s Contender Sequence in 2021 when he misplaced to Christian Rodriguez. Again-to-back wins earned him one other DWCS crack in 2023. That point, he misplaced to Payton Talbott. He bounced again just lately with a win over Josh Walker and will earn a 3rd DWCS shot with win over former UFC fighter Mana Martinez this month. Cortez’s losses have aged nicely and he continues to sharpen his instruments every day at Struggle Prepared MMA underneath coaches Eddie Cha and Santino Defranco. Moreover, Henry Cejudo is one in every of his primary mentors, so he’s in good fingers.
In his personal phrases: “God keen. (Making the UFC) would imply all the pieces I’ve completed was for a goal. Being an MMA fighter, financially we’re not thriving. As soon as we hit that UFC mark, I’ll have some room to breathe. I plan to be lively. As soon as I get this win, if it’s the UFC or one other present for Fury, I wish to be lively. I sadly couldn’t take a combat earlier within the 12 months as a result of I ended up re-injuring my hand. However after this combat, if I don’t get injured (which I don’t plan on), I wish to be lively.
“… I belief in my expertise and greater than something, I belief within the canine in me. I can go into deep waters. I practice actually arduous. I stay the MMA life-style. F*ck, I do know I can compete about 80 % of the roster. The opposite 20 %, I’d should get a combat camp behind me as a result of the bantamweight division is a bunch of killers. I feel I’m ok to compete towards, the best-best at bantamweight.”
Fighters value watching who didn’t crack the listing, but are on the verge of one thing massive:
- Chris Mecate (10-2) – Dec. 6 def. Shaheen Santana (8-4) by way of knockout (punches) – Spherical 2 at LFA 198 in Commerce, Calif. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Julius Walker (6-0) – Dec. 7 vs. Myron Dennis (20-12) by way of TKO (ground-and-pound) – Spherical at Peak Combating 41 in Tulsa, Okla. (Internet PPV)
- Igeu Kabesa (19-2) – Thursday vs. Martin van Staden (22-13) at EFC 120 in Sandton, South Africa (Internet PPV)
- Ryan Hoover (7-0) – Friday vs. Luis Pena (12-8) at Xtreme Struggle Night time 397 in Tulsa, Okla. (Triller TV)
- Tommy McMillen (6-0) – Saturday vs. Genier Penagos (7-4) at Fusion Struggle League in Nice Falls, Mont. (Triller TV)
- Humberto Bandenay (24-8) – Dec. 19 vs. Alvaro Andres Guerrero (16-9-1) at FFC 85 in Barranco, Lima, Peru (UFC Fight Pass)
- Carlos Petruzella (13-0) – Dec. 22 vs. Jose Barrios Vargas (14-4) at Samurai Struggle Home 19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina (YouTube)
- Diego Manzur (10-1) – Dec. 22 vs. Alexis Dos Santos (5-12) at Samurai Struggle Home 19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina (YouTube)
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