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, but few will succeed.
This month, five fighters on the verge of achieving major-promotion notoriety return to the cage for what could be their stepping stone fights. There are dozens of fighters inches away from making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.
This month:
- A fired-up featherweight who was passed over on DWCS last season looks to change Dana White’s mind by picking up an LFA title
- An under-the-radar bantamweight with career finishes hopes No. 10 get him signed.
- A relatively unknown Shogun Fights champion expects to make an impressive UFC-call-worthy debut on the national stage.
- A 21-year-old flyweight is riding high off a brutal head kick, feeling confident another finish – and a UFC call – is in her future.
- A seasoned 11-year veteran of MMA thinks he’s closer than ever to finally taking the step up to the UFC – and an LFA title should solidify that.
Scroll through the following pages to see the five fighters who this month find themselves on the doorstep:
Justin Gonzales
Record: 10-0
Age: 29
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Greeley, Colo.
Next Fight: July 10 vs. Jake Childers (8-0) at LFA 84 in Sioux Falls, S.D. – for LFA featherweight title (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: A teammate of Justin Gaethje on the University of Colorado wrestling squad, Justin Gonzales never envisioned himself pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. However, after taking his first fight – all of that changed. The energy, the fun, the free drinks, and even the women were enough to convince Gonzales the pursuit of MMA stardom was worth it. After an extensive amateur career and 10 professional fights, Gonzales has still yet to lose. Last summer, Gonzales appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3. Although he handily defeated his opponent Zach Zane, Gonzales was not signed by UFC president Dana White.
The Skinny: Sure, Gonzales brings a solid wrestling base to the cage, but he’s much more than just a grappler. Gonzales’ striking is very solid and his pace is relentless. In 10 pro fights, he has four finishes. Gonzales’ appearance on DWCS was, in some aspects, an accurate representation of what he brings to the cage. On the flip side, it didn’t show what he’s fully capable of. With a year to think about White’s comments (in which the UFC president questioned Gonzales’ excitement factor), Gonzales has had time to motivate himself to the fullest. Having already fought once on DWCS, Gonzales seems like an easy choice for a redemption story on this summer’s Season 4 – especially if he can get that LFA belt wrapped around his waist on July 10.
In his own words: “I’ve beaten everybody they’ve put in front of me. For the most part, I’ve dominated everyone they’ve put in front of me. You can argue that I may have not even lost a round. I’ve done everything I could and dominated everybody they put in front of me. I’m starting to run out of opponents. We’ve had to get people from out of the country to come and fight me. I’m tired of waiting. If I have to go back to Contender (Series) I’ll do it. I’m not afraid to take the long road or the hard road. I’ve done it my entire life. It’s part of who I am. I have a work ethic that’s unmatched.”
“… I don’t have to fight but I love this sport. I’ve committed myself to this sport. I think, straight up, I’ve worked too hard. … I simply want this more than anybody else. I deserve it. I work too hard to give up on it. I think I’m just a smarter fighter. I’ve lived a rough life growing up. I’ve seen some crazy (expletive) in my day but I’m also educated. I’ve seen the high life, as well. I know what I need to do.
Cody Durden
Record: 10-2
Age: 29
Weight class: Bantamweight
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: Atlanta, Ga.
Next Fight: July 18 vs. John Sweeney (6-2) at NFC 125 in Conyers, Ga. (FloCombat)
Background: Cody Durden grew up wrestling. So when a friend began competing in mixed martial arts, it was only a natural progression for Durden to follow in his footsteps. A two-time state wrestling champion, Durden chose to become a pro-MMA fighter over pursuing a collegiate wrestling stint. From there, he joined American Top Team Gwinnett. After a 5-1 amateur career, Durden made the jump to the pro ranks where he’s won 83% of his contests to date.
The Skinny: Durden is a wrestling-based fighter who presents challenges for any opponent, regardless of their grappling abilities. With four finishes by strikes, however, Durden has proven himself capable in the striking department, too. That’s what training with the likes of Douglas Lima and Dhiego Lima will do. Durden also gets rounds in with Roan Carneiro and Anthony Rocco Martin among others. That’ll help. In 10 pro victories, Durden has won nine inside the distance. Despite his finish-heavy style and relative regional scene domination, Durden has flown largely under-the-radar.
In his own words: “I’m relentless. I’m obsessed. I come home from practice and I’m watching fights. I’m prepared for my practice that day. Knowing I’m going to be in there sparring, I’m drinking a lot of water because I know I’m preparing to spar today. When I was 4-0, I lost to Jared Scoggins when he was 6-1. I lost a decision and I was back in the gym the next week. Then, I took a loss to Ryan Hollis, which was March 24 of 2018 – my last loss. I took that loss from him after kicking his ass for two rounds. I got caught in a choke. Man, I was back in the gym the next week. Everything is just a learning experience. You lose and you get right back on the bike.
“… I know I’m ready for the big leagues and if it’s the Contender Series, then so be it. I’d love it. I’d love to get on there and get my shot. I just want to be able to control my own destiny. I feel like some guys’ paths are easier than others. When I get there, it’s going to be so much more rewarding because of all the hard time work I put into it. I have a full-time job, too. I’m a lineman. I want to be able to do (MMA) full time and really show the world I’m one of the best. It’s just going to be so rewarding when it happens.”
Greg Fischer
Record: 10-1
Age: 28
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: Jarrettsville, Md.
Next Fight: July 24 vs. Jimmy Flick (13-5) at LFA 86 in Sioux Falls, S.D. – for LFA flyweight title (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Before he was a fighter, Greg Fischer was a fan. He watched UFC events throughout high school with his father. Fischer got involved in MMA similarly to many fighters, through high school wrestling. With all of the gear and none of the techniques, Fischer was talked into joining a local gym, Method MMA. Following a short amateur career, Fischer turned pro. All but one of his pro fights took place under the Shogun Fights promotion, for which he holds a bantamweight title.
The Skinny: Fischer is largely unknown to the MMA masses, but that’ll change soon. While Shogun Fights doesn’t have the name LFA does, the promotion has done a good job of getting Fischer game opponents. Lessons are learned in the cage, but also in the gym. While he calls Method MMA his “home base” Fischer has traveled the country to work at top gyms around the United States. Spending time at JacksonWink, Fischer works with Steve Garcia, Patchy Mix, Joby Sanchez, Tevin Dyce, Diego Brandao, and others. His game is ever-evolving. Finally in the national spotlight and dropping weight to 125 pounds, Fischer should be a force to be reckoned with.
In his own words: “I think (the UFC) is something that’s definitely around the corner. Either of us, we’re right there. I feel like a win, especially for LFA, a win over a good opponent, those things definitely have bigger implications. I’ve had near-calls to Contender (Series) trying to get me to fill in on short notice. Those times, I was injured. It just kind of never worked out. This one, this fight, I’m excited about. If things go well, there should be bigger things around the corner. At the same time, I’m not going to get my hopes up. I’ve seen LFA champs in the past who have had a few (promotional) fights before they got signed.”
Erin Blanchfield
Record: 5-1
Age: 21
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’4″
Birthplace: New York
Next Fight: July 30 vs. Stephanie Geltmacher (4-1) at Invicta FC 41 in Kansas City, Mo. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Erin Blanchfield is one of the younger fighters to stand atop the UFC’s doorstep at the moment – but she’s put in the time. Blanchfield has been training martial arts since she was 7, beginning with kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Before long, Blanchfield was competing in kickboxing smokers and grappling tournaments. At around age 12, Blanchfield began seeing women compete in the cage in Strikeforce and her pursuit was inspired further. That’s when she dove in headfirst into the world of MMA competition. In five pro fights, Blanchfield has three finishes and holds a win over current UFC strawweight Kay Hansen.
The Skinny: She’s only 21, but Erin Blanchfield has already proven that you can’t judge her by her age. Through six pro fights, she’s already made her mark in Invicta FC. Her lone professional loss came by split decision to Tracy Cortez – a fighter who signed with the UFC last summer and is now 1-0 with the promotion. Rising up through the ranks with her grappling abilities, Blanchfield has shown what she’s capable of in the striking department. If you don’t believe it, look no further than her thunderous head kick knockout over Victoria Leonardo from Invicta FC 39 in February. There aren’t many women at flyweight who pack that kind of power. With a win in the upcoming Invicta FC 41 co-main event, Blanchfield positions herself nicely for a UFC or Bellator call.
In his own words: “I think for me (my advantage) is my mentality. I’ve always tried to be as well-rounded as possible. People always pin me as this jiu-jitsu fighter but I’m much more well-rounded than that. I’m really good at jiu-jitsu but I also have good striking and wrestling and everything. I’m always trying to build my skillset. I’m never satisfied with being good at one thing. (Why have) my only place to win a fight (be) in one area? I want to be able to win the fight everywhere. I think that’s one of my biggest advantages.”
“I think I’m very close (to getting a call) – especially if I can get a good finish in this fight, which I plan on doing… I’m young, but I’m very focused. I put everything into this. This is my entire life. I’ve been training since I was 7. I’ve been focused purely on MMA since I was 18. So even though I’m young, I have a good amount of experience now. I’ve put so much time and work into it that it makes up for my age.”
Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.
Bryce Logan
Record: 11-4
Age: 30
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: Doland, S.D.
Next Fight: July 31 vs. Jacob Rosales (12-5) at LFA 87 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Since kindergarten, Bryce Logan has wanted to be an athlete competing on the uppermost stages of the professional ranks. At age 18, Logan began training mixed martial arts – and continued his training through a four-year collegiate football career. At 23, Logan turned professional. For much of his career, Logan trained with Ryan Bader and company at Power MMA and Fitness. However, he recently decided Fight Ready MMA was a better fit and began training there. A winner of eight of his most recent 10 bouts, Logan has only lost twice since January 2016.
The Skinny: Logan’s ride to an LFA title shot hasn’t been perfect. There have been bumps in the road, but he’s learned from his mistakes. Encountering adversity is key to morphing into a UFC or Bellator-level competitor. Logan has always been sharp but recently has really begun putting everything together. The move to Fight Ready MMA was likely a smart one, as Power MMA and Fitness is much more geared toward bigger fighters. Now he’s training under Santino DeFranco and Eddie Cha – two of MMA’s most underrated A-list coaches. All four of his career losses have come to MMA notables, so it’d be hard for a major promotion to put too much weight into them. With a title win at LFA 87, Logan shouldn’t be surprised if his phone rings for a major opportunity.
In his own words: “This is coming up on my 11th year fighting now between amateur and professional. It’s almost 11 years to the date from my very first MMA event ever… I’ve been tested. I’ve tested good guys. My last win was over a 12-3 opponent. I just think I took the road less traveled in the sense I wasn’t afraid to test myself coming up. From the outset of my pro career, I’ve never shied away from fighting the top guys. I always have wanted to mix it up with those guys to see where I stand.”
“… I’ve been rolling for a number of years, but this one feels like the most realistic shot that I’ve had so far: the clout that comes with an LFA title, the amount of exposure that gives you, and credibility, as well. It’s hard to ignore somebody that holds and LFA title and that’s going to 100 percent open the door to the UFC or to the Contender Series if I have to. I just know I’m going to keep going until I’m where I want to be.”
Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.
Here are some fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:
- Tyler Ray (6-1) – July 10 vs. Maycon Mendonca (8-4) at LFA 84 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jake Childers (8-0) – July 10 vs. Justin Gonzales (8-0) at LFA 84 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jordan Leavitt (5-0) – July 16 vs. Dakota Bush (6-2) at LFA 85 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Kevin Natividad (8-1) – July 17 vs. Kyle Estrada (10-5) at LFA 85 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Sam Hughes (4-0) – July 17 vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (4-1) at LFA 85 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Vanessa Demopoulos (4-1) – July 17 vs. Sam Hughes (4-0) at LFA 85 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Arthur Estrazulas (11-4) – July 24 vs. Demarques Jackson (10-4) at LFA 86 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jimmy Flick (13-5) – July 24 vs. Gregory Fischer (10-1) at LFA 86 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Nick Browne (9-1) – July 31 vs. Josh Wick (11-5) at LFA 87 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Gregory Rodrigues (7-2) – July 31 vs. Joquin Buckley (9-2) at LFA 87 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jacob Rosales (11-4) – July 31 vs. Bryce Logan (11-4) at LFA 87 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
