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 Cage Warriors champion might be the best unsigned prospect in MMA and he hopes to continue showing it one body punch at a time.
- One of the top regional female fighters in Canada hopes to win LFA gold – then make her UFC debut in her home country.
- A Texas-based lightweight who has overcome numerous life hurdles looks to pick up his fourth victory in a row and get on the UFC’s radar once again in the process.
- A heavyweight who also works as a professional wrestler and celebrity body guard takes on his biggest test to date as he tries to figure out which avenue he wants to go down.
- Michigan’s prodigal MMA son returns as he looks for his ninth pro win in as many fights – at 21 years old.
George Hardwick
Record: 12-1
Age: 26
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: England
Next Fight: April 15 def. Yann Liasse (9-2) via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:12 at Cage Warriors 152 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Muay thai was the earliest beginning for George Hardwick, who was soon thereafter coached by a veteran fighter of 250 bouts. He built some striking abilities and found some success, but his passion skyrocketed when he picked up a copy of the UFC Undisputed 2009 video game. That’s when he moved to MMA. His first amateur fight took place at age 16 and before long he was 5-1 at that level. Before he turned professional, Hardwick faced a two-year layoff due to injuries and folliculitis decalvans, a rare skin condition he describes as his scalp “falling off.” In a similarly unusual fashion to what sparked his amateur career, Hardwick’s decision to return and go pro stemmed from a viewing of “John Wick 2.” His resume speaks for itself. He became a staple of Cage Warriors before capturing and defending the promotion’s lightweight title. He is currently on a eight-fight winning streak with seven finishes in the stretch. His brother, Harry Hardwick (9-3-1) is also a high-level pro who most recently competed under the Cage Warriors banner.
The skinny: Hardwick is the full package. If a “top 10 pound-for-pound prospects outside a major promotion” list exists, it likely has Hardwick’s name near the top. He’s a fascinating, unique, and comical personality with the skills to back it up. He’s displayed finishing abilities, particularly in the striking department, against some of Europe’s toughest tests. He has some of the best body punches in all of MMA. The reputation that comes with such a successful and unusual attack opens up the rest of his game when opponent anticipate body blows. Having already won and defended the Cage Warriors lightweight championship, it seems like a no-brainer for a major promotion to scoop Hardwick up. The only thing that has me unsure he will be signed in the immediate is that he should’ve been signed long ago. The wait is a head-scratcher.
In his own words: “I’ve always had a tendency toward body shots because I started in muay Thai. Muay Thai has a real scoring system leaning toward body shots, especially body kicks. When you fight junior rules in muay Thai, there are no headshots. There are just kicks and knees to the body, punches to the body. So I’ve had it drilled in from a young age. Also, it’s just hard to defend your body. Four-ounce gloves, people think they get the knockout really easy to the head, but it’s hard to defend the body. Those knuckles pierce through to the ribs really easily. It can fit through the guard really easily. Also, fighters do these really hard weight cuts. … The stomaches can be queasy come fight time, so digging toes or a good left hook into the body, it has that effect on it.”
“… The UFC is the goal by the end of the year, but I just want to be in active competition – active, active, active. I do it for the purity of martial arts. I’ve had this realization before. Sometimes when the fight comes hard and you’re dieting and you’re cutting weight, until the fight is done, you don’t have that relaxation. But the relaxation isn’t as relaxing as you thought. The most enjoyable part is being in this fight-ready shape, developing toward a fight. Because you’re only going to be at this peak performance for however many years and then this is going to be the thing that I missed when I’m retired, when I’m 40 or 50 or whatever. So I’m just enjoying every single pad session, everything, every single wrestling session, every single spar and just expressing my body in that way: that honest physical expression, as Bruce Lee would say.”
This interview was conducted prior to Hardwick’s win at Cage Warriors 152.
Melissa Croden
Record: 4-1
Age: 32
Weight class: Bantamweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Next Fight: Friday vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (4-1) at LFA 157 in Prior Lake, Minnesota (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Encouraged to pursue sports from a young age due to her natural athletic abilities, Melissa Croden never found an attachment to any sport until she discovered taekwondo. It was just for fun and self-betterment. Croden didn’t compete and eventually halted her taekwondo training. After secondary school, a co-worker who competed in kickboxing competitions reignited a dormant combat sports interest inside of Croden, who then signed up for a local gym. Training turned into tournaments and competitions. Ten years later, Croden has won all but one of her MMA bouts with a 5-0 amateur record and a 4-1 professional record to date.
The skinny: With her friend and occasional training partner Jamey-Lyn Horth headed to the UFC, Croden is arguably the top pound-for-pound woman on the regional scene in Canada. Her training under coach Dan Miller at Ravenhouse MMA has built her confidence and belief, fitting like a glove in the system laid out for her. With the June 10 pay-per-view event looming and an LFA title up for grabs in her bout Friday, the stars are aligning for a very special 2023 for Croden. If she wins, it’s a coin toss if the UFC wants to outright sign another prospect for the card. However, if an injury occurs and a female bantamweight is needed, it’s a no-brainer who should receive that short notice call.
In her own words: “Not to get far ahead but I know if I can solidify a win for LFA, then I will be getting a contract after that. That’s kind of my and my manager’s plan. The meaning behind this opportunity is more so in the challenge. The more fights you do, the more difficult it becomes and the harder opponents you start to face. This is the hardest and most pressure I’ve ever felt in a fight, so I’m excited about that.”
“… I think I’m more naturally a meathead, but I’ve happened to have found a coach who is kind of a genius in his own right, through his own adventures through mixed martial arts. He’s discovered a system that works for me. Everything we do works. It’s tough to describe. I’m trying to be different in the way that I train that I’m not going to sell myself out by going to any of those big gyms. I’m staying true to my roots as to how I was brought up as a fighter. The way I see that or the way I describe that is I try to immerse myself as a martial artist in everything I do. For example, I’ve started to learn how to hunt in the last three or four years. That, to me, is a part of the training as much as doing your sprints is. It’s just as important as that. I think that separates me a little bit. It’s not all about the grinding.”
“… One-hundred percent, I’m ready. I’ve said that before, but then I probably wasn’t and a part of me probably knew that. But right now, everything is working out in such a way that it’s hard to deny.”
Kolton Englund
Record: 12-4
Age: 29
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Texas
Next Fight: April 15 vs. Nick Compton (12-11) at Fury FC 78 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: It’s been an unusually difficult journey for Kolton Englund up to this point in time, but he’s made the best of his time competing in MMA. A young man encouraged by the late Power Rangers actor James David Frank to start competing, Englund had his first amateur fight in 2012 and turned professional in 2014. With a record of 6-2 in 2019, Englund was selected to compete on an LFA card that was being scouted for an episode of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.” Backstage at the event, Englund’s body “shut down.” He was rushed to the hospital where tests were ran. He was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite the diagnosis, Englund continued to train and fight. As the outlook improved and Englund was placed on a medical trial, his wins piled up – as did the adversity. He was selected to compete on “Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021,” shortly after the death of his mother. He was finished by Manuel Torres in Round 1. Since then, Englund is 3-0 as he feels mentally and physically better than ever.
The skinny: Englund is the ultimate “comeback kid.” At 29, he’s dealt with more adversity than most people encounter their whole lives. However, he’s learned from his losses and thinks he’s in a better headspace than ever. Up until his current streak, Englund used training to suppress his negative emotions, which manifested unhealthy results. Now in a better head space than ever, Englund is ready to once again prove he’s ready for a UFC look – and to be fair, I think he deserves it. What he lacks in certain areas, Englund makes up for in the excitement category. And his weaknesses he continues to improve on. He’s fearless and willing to take on all comers. More importantly than everything else, however, Englund is a pristine representative of MMA and radiates positivity.
In his own words: “My biggest message that I’m trying to get out there is that I know there are a lot of people out there that have suffered from cancer. Some types are worse than others. Anyone who has cancer knows this. Some are extremely horrible and some are lighter than others. Mine wasn’t supposed to be very light. I think there was a lot of thinking positive and God working through me. I just continued to be happy, push forward, and found things to live for and look forward to. That’s what helped me recover. I’m just trying to show you can do anything in your power that you want to.”
“… I believe I bring a different type of presence to the cage. I’m extremely exciting. It doesn’t matter what type of fight that I have, I’m always doing something that makes that fight exciting to watch. I’m going for it and I’m always 100 percent looking for the finish at every second of the fight. I’ll never try to cruise on anybody. But I’ll also fight extremely smart. I’ll do what needs to be done to get the job done, but I’ll also be trying to find the finish. I know people love finishes and they will always see me going for them. I call it ‘putting my nuts on the table and going for it.'”
“… 100 percent, I’m ready. I’m always sending messages to my manager Jason House. When I see lightweights weighing in, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, tell me if anybody misses weight because I’ll jump in.’ I see it a week out, two weeks out, I’ll make weight. I’ll jump in. I definitely think I could make an impact on the division. I’m constantly getting better. I just need to fight better competition. I get better when I’m around better people in the cage.”
Austin Green
Record: 5-0
Age: 29
Weight class: Heavyweight
Height: 6’3″
Birthplace: Newnan, Georgia
Next Fight: Sunday vs. Juan Adams (10-5) at Fury FC 78 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Austin Green played arena football and semi-pro football before a teammate introduced him to MMA. It was something Green previously considered but he didn’t know where to begin. His friend directed him to the local gym, which Green didn’t even know existed. Three months later, Green had his first MMA bout in 2019. After a 4-2 amateur record, Green turned pro in 2021. Since, he’s gone 5-0 with
The skinny: Watch Green fight and you’ll see he’s a compact embodiment of power and strength. Sure, there are things he can, and will have to, improve on to succeed at the next level. Those aren’t huge concerns, however. The UFC can always use younger, successful heavyweights from North America. The pickings are few and far between. If Green defeats a fairly successful heavyweight in Juan Adams, he’ll likely jump to the front of the queue for a UFC call up. The only thing standing between Green and the UFC ranks is himself. Green admits he has a lot going on right now. Not only is he a celebrity body guard, Green also has a budding professional wrestling career that already includes a match on AEW against “The Big Show.”
In his own words: “I feel like my personality really sets me aside. From what I’ve seen recently, a lot of heavyweights are kind of boring. No one really does much. They show up. They fight. They leave. They don’t really try to market themselves outside of fighting. I get it. The main part is to show up and fight. But also, you’ve got to find things that people are attracted to, that make people want to tune in and watch you fight. I feel like I have a pretty exciting style. I feel like I’ve only had one fight in my entire career that’s gone to the judges’ decision. So I’m exciting in the cage and I’m exciting outside the cage. I also do pro wrestling as well, so I know the entertainment side of the sport.”
“… There are a lot of UFC guys I’ve noticed, I wouldn’t say the top 15 right now, but definitely the undercard guys I’ve been watching. I’m like, ‘OK, I can definitely hang with those guys.’ I can definitely give those guys a run for their money and for sure I can beat a lot of those guys.”
“… I’m ready to go whenever the UFC calls. Whenever they call. I train with some of the best guys at heavyweight right now. I train with some good guys. We’ve got a good, solid team behind us. So whenever they call, I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Austin Bashi
Record: 8-0
Age: 21
Weight class: Bantamweight
Height: 5’3″
Birthplace: Michigan
Next Fight: April 29 vs. Pipe Vargas (7-3) at Lights Out Championship 11 in Wayne, Mich.
Background: Introduced to MMA by a cousin, Austin Bashi began his MMA journey at eight years old. The goal from the start was to become a UFC champion, a trajectory Bashi continues in line with. He started with jiu-jitsu and muay thai tournaments. After a high school wrestling career, Bashi officially entered MMA competition at 18. After a 2-0 amateur career, Bashi turned professional. Built as one of the faces of the then-reborn (and now dormant, again) XFC promotion, Bashi won five fights under the banner. Once outside the promotion, Bashi took a step up in competition for Shamrock FC and Lights Out Championship, as he handily defeated opponents with 6-1, 8-1, and 9-3 records respectively.
The skinny: In the next five years, Bashi will emerge as a star. It’s almost destiny at this point. Not only is he an anomaly when it comes to the crossroads of his age, skill, and experience, Bashi is mature beyond his years. He’s in no rush. In fact, Bashi hopes to stay on the regional scene for as long as it takes for him to round out his skills. Rather than find out that he has a hole in his game when he gets to the UFC, Bashi wants to fill them beforehand. A young man who routinely uncles old men, Bashi could make an impact in the UFC tomorrow – but it’ll probably be a little longer before we see him, just because of his big picture approach.
In his own words: “Honestly, the thing is that I’m only 21. I have so much time. If I can get me three or four fights a year and keep sticking with this where I’m not rushing to get into the big leagues, hopefully it works out. I’d like to keep fighting on the regional scene for a little bit more time before I make that jump. … It’s about how my performances is are. I want at least 12 fights. It’ll be mainly how I feel mentally and perform physically on fight night.”
“… In this fight, I’m going to do what I do in my other fights. I’m going to drag him out, keep that pace very high, take him into the deeper round and then get that finish then.”
Fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:
- Dylan Mantello (7-3) – April 1 def. Charlie Alexander (9-3) at CFFC 118 in Philadelphia (UFC Fight Pass)
- Charlie Radtke (6-3) – April 1 def. Raheam Forest (6-0) via submission at CFFC 118 in Philadelphia (UFC Fight Pass)
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Alex McGowan (11-4) – April 1 def. Jonathan Gary (13-12-2) at EFC 17 in Wichita, Kan.
- Luthando Biko (12-3) – April 7 def. Samir Faiddine (14-10) via unanimous decision at ARES FC 14 in Paris (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ivana Petrovic (6-0) – April 7 def. Ewelina Wozniak (7-2) via submission at ARES FC 14 in Paris (UFC Fight Pass)
- Talita Alencar (4-0) – April 14 def. Kelsey Arnesen (2-3) via unanimous decision at LFA 156 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Miguel Jacob (8-2) – April 14 def. Ryan Leininger (10-4) via unanimous decision at LFA 156 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Trey Waters (7-1) – April 14 def. Jalin Fuller (7-3) via knockout at LFA 156 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Nathan Fletcher (8-1) – April 15 def. Daan Dujis (8-1) at Cage Warriors 152 in Dublin (UFC Fight Pass)
- Richie Miranda (6-0) – Friday vs. Kegan Gennrich (5-2) at LFA 157 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Arthur Estrazulas (13-5) – Friday vs. Bobby Lee (13-7) at LFA 157 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jacqueline Cavalcanti (4-1) – Friday vs. Melissa Croden (4-1) at LFA 157 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Johnny Hopper (7-1) – Sunday vs. Josh Rohler (7-6) at Anthony Pettis FC 4 in Hammond, Ind. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ryan Shelley (6-0) – April 29 vs. Tobias Harila (11-3) at Cage Warriors 153 in Dublin (UFC Fight Pass)
- Rhys McKee (12-4-1) – April 29 vs. Jim Wallhead (33-11) at Cage Warriors 153 in Dublin (UFC Fight Pass)
