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 September, 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:
- A Brazilian-born adopted New Englander will look to defend his belt for the second time at CES 58.
- A Michigan natives hopes to finally represent “The Great Lakes State” on the biggest stage after a win on “Warrior Wednesday.”
- Dana White passed on signing a CFFC champion on Contender Series last summer, but now the fighter is back to prove a point.
- In Western Canada, an undefeated middleweight believes adding a UFC veteran to his resume should propel him to the next level.
- Finally, across the pond, an English welterweight will look to be the next SBG member to sign with a major promotion.
Scroll through the following pages to see the five fighters who this month find themselves on the doorstep:
Vinicius de Jesus
Record: 8-2
Age: 29
Weight class: Welterweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Next Fight: Sept. 7 vs. Chris Lozano at CES 58 in Hartford, Conn. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: It makes sense Vinicius De Jesus is on the verge of signing with a major organization. A third-generation Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, it was only a matter of time before he entered the world of combat sports. Proudly representing both Brazil and Connecticut, de Jesus gained notoriety for his dominating performances on Bellator’s prelims and subsequent callouts of Dillon Danis. At CES 55 in March, de Jesus won the vacant welterweight title when he edged out surging Jeremiah Wells.
The Skinny: De Jesus presents a lot of problems for fighters of all skillsets. The BJJ black belt usually sticks to his striking, which consists largely of power shots from the outside and heavy leg kicks. His knockout power, combined with his mic skills, makes him a prime candidate to be a target of a major promotion.
In his own words: “I can tell all the fans who haven’t watched me yet, you’ll get very exciting fights from me. I’m a striker with a pro boxing background, capoeira style and know muay thai. I’m always trying to get more knowledge on how I can bring together all of these striking techniques.
“It’s been a long road to here. I feel I should have been in the UFC for a while, but I know there’s a lot of other things you need to have by your side. Not just be a good fighter … The attention is getting around me and after this fight, one of my best performances, we can get a call with Dana White.”
Kyle Daukaus
Record: 7-0
Age: 26
Weight class: Middleweight
Height: 6’1″
Birthplace: Philadelphia
Next Fight: Sept. 21 vs. Stephen Regman at CFFC 78 in Philadelphia (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: This past summer, Kyle Daukaus was passed over on Dana White’s Contender Series. While the UFC president was happy with Daukaus’ performance, he believed the middleweight needed more work on the regional scene. Despite having won all seven of his in-cage appearances, Daukaus will have to pull off at least one more victory in order to earn a contract. Six of his seven wins have come by submission.
The Skinny: Daukaus’ ground game is solid, especially for a 185-pounder. At 6-1, he walks around at approximately 215 pounds – so, the size is there. At 26 years old, Daukaus already holds the CFFC middleweight title – so while he’s young, the experience is also there. If White needs a bigger sample size, then so be it. But it’s quite possible the pass on Daukaus was on the basis of a strong DWCS week than poor performance.
In his own words: “I go in there to dominate every single fight that I’ve had, and I believe I’ve done so. I’m 7-0. I’m undefeated. I’m a big name out of Philadelphia. I’m the No. 1 ranked middleweight in Pennsylvania, so that means something.
“If I have a very dominant performance on the 21st and get a first-round finish, regardless of whether it’s a knockout or submission, I should get the call. Even short notice. It isn’t easy for me, but 185 isn’t really tough for me to make either. If they need a short-notice guy, I’ll be available regardless. After the 21st, I’ll be expecting a call.”
Willis Black III
Record: 7-2
Age: 25
Weight class: Welterweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Detroit
Next Fight: Sept. 25 vs. Anthony Ivy at WXC 82 in Southgate, Mich. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: In July 2017, Willis Black had close to a .500 winning percentage. However, since that time, he has made the adjustments he’s needed to stick out. The Michigan native has become a staple of the WXC: Wednesday Warrior promotion. “The Silverback” has won four straight bouts inside the distance. His last two fights have lasted a combined 64 seconds.
The Skinny: Sometimes in MMA, the most efficient path between the top and the bottom isn’t a straight line. Black is a perfect example. Through trials and tribulations, he’s improved. And now that he’s fighting tougher competition, Black knows how to deal with adversity. While he found success in his grappling skills early on, he has slowly made his striking a dangerous weapon. A win over another surging prospect in Anthony Ivy would all but solidify a contract offer.
In his own words: “I want to face the guys who have some potential to go to the UFC one day. I want to figure out who’s tougher, and we don’t have to go to the UFC to do that. Once we get to the UFC, I want to hit the ground running. I want to challenge myself, and it doesn’t challenge me to get weak, easy fights.
“I’m the new evolution of fighting. This sport has been evolving so much since it began … I’m a part of that new generation of fighter that’s going to evolve MMA. My technique is getting a lot better, and I’m not an average athlete. I’m a new breed of super athlete.”
KB Bhullar
Record: 7-0
Age: 27
Weight class: Middleweight
Height: 6’4″
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Next Fight: Sept. 27 vs. Matt Dwyer at Unified MMA 38 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Fite TV)
Background: One of Canada’s premier middleweights, KB Bhullar is unblemished in his MMA career. Promotions are always in need of up-and-coming middleweights, as well as fighters who push the boundaries and expand MMA’s pull in non-American countries. Canada’s Bhullar checks off both of those boxes. Riding a three-fight finish streak, he has the opportunity to finally add a notable name to his resume.
The Skinny: The Taekwando-based fighter has been training in martial arts for 14 years and is truly a new-age fighter. From 2013-2018, Bhullar took time away from competition and focused solely on improvement. It shows. Finishing fights is his bread and butter, whether on the ground or on the feet. His well rounded attack presents a difficult challenge for his opponents, regardless of their striking, wrestling or grappling background.
In his own words: “Right now, I think what you’re watching is a prospect that is making a real resurgence. For me, I had four years off to contemplate why I wanted to pursue this professionally. I came back with that fire burning inside of me. I’ve been showing it in all of my fights ever since.
“I’m a sniper. Plain and simple. I’m going to be one of the best middleweights in the world.”
Adam Proctor
Record: 10-1
Age: 23
Weight class: Welterweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: England
Next Fight: Sept. 28 vs. Olli Santalahti at Cage Warriors 107 in Liverpool, England (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Training at SBG South Shields under former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Alex Enlund, Adam Proctor is riding a five-fight win streak. A self-described “introvert,” Proctor isn’t shy when it comes to throwing hands. Over the span of his 11-fight career, he has competed for notable promotions BAMMA, ACB and his current home, Cage Warriors.
The Skinny: Despite his age, Proctor brings an elevated level of composure each time he steps into the cage. At face value, his record is impressive. When you dive deeper into who he’s fought, his resume is even more dignified. His last four opponents had a combined record of 32-9 at the time he fought them. For a prospect, Proctor’s rate of improvement is accelerated. While he admits he needs more finishes, it’s quite possible a big promotion snatches Proctor up if he wins Sept. 28.
In his own words: “I 100 percent (don’t take easy fights). If you take those easy fights, it might get you there. Being in tough fights is the longer road, but it’s the harder-paved one. But you’re going to be ready when you get there.
“I feel like I’m a complete mixed martial artist. I’m very technical but have relentless pressure people can’t keep up with. That’s what’s a little bit different about me.”
Next up, the honorable mentions:
Here are some fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:
- Mark Lemminger (9-1, middleweight) – Sept. 5 vs. Ben Egli at Final Fight Championship 40
- Keoni Diggs (6-0, lightweight) – Sept. 5 vs. Bryan Nuro at Final Fight Championship 40
- Max Rohskopf (3-0, lightweight) – Sept. 5 vs. opponent Zach Zane at Final Fight Championship 40
- Louis Glismann (5-1, welterweight) – Sept. 6 vs. Craig White at Cage Warriors: Unplugged 2
- Miles Hunsinger (6-0, welterweight) – Sept. 6 vs. Carson Hardman at LFA 76
- Abdulmutalip Gayirbegov (11-2-1, featherweight) – Sept. 7 vs. Michel Lima at Rebel FC 9
- Trey Ogden (12-3, lightweight) – Sept. 13 vs. Nick Browne at LFA 76
- Magdalena Sormova (9-1, strawweight) – Sept. 21 vs. Svetlana Gotsyk at WWFC 15
- Anthony Romero (5-0, lightweight) – Sept. 21 vs. Troy Whittman at KOTC: Showtime II
- Pat Sabatini (11-2, featherweight) – Sept. 21 vs. Regivaldo Carvalho at CFFC 78
- Anthony Ivy (7-2, welterweight) – Sept. 25 vs. Willis Black at WXC 82
- Jose Johnson (10-5, bantamweight) – Sept. 25 vs. Terrance Mitchell at WXC 82
- Jonas Flok (12-3, lightweight) – Sept. 27 vs. Bryce Logan at LFA 77
- Brett Martin (8-1, heavyweight) – Sept. 27 vs. Daniel James at LFA 77
- Liam Gittins (4-0, flyweight) – Sept. 28 vs. Jake Bond at Cage Warriors 107
- David Jordan (7-4, lightweight) – Sept. 28 vs. Shane Campbell at Z Promotions Fight Night 11
