Every champion in MMA history started out somewhere.
For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, few will succeed.
This November, five fighters on the verge of achieving major-promotion notoriety return to the cage for what could be their stepping stone fight. There are dozens of fighters inches away from making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.
This month:
- Only six fights into his pro career, a 23-year-old striker looks to punch (or kick) his way into the UFC by adding another knockout to his highlight reel in Texas.
- A popular CFFC champion thinks a victory in his fourth title defense will deserve a multi-fight deal from a major organization.
- A Danish featherweight hopes to pick up his fourth straight submission win in order to propel himself back to the ranks of the UFC.
- A young Lithuania-born light heavyweight angles for his first Cage Warriors title defense to be his last. He thinks he’s ready for the major leagues.
- An undefeated middleweight who won but wasn’t signed on “Dana White’s Contender Series” hopes an Empire FC victory punches his ticket to the big show.
