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 seasoned veteran of the United Kingdom’s MMA scene is rolling – and thinks one more win for Cage Warriors could be a pivotal one in his career.
- A Cage Warriors champion and one of the current faces of the promotion thinks a rematch against a top-tier fighter he beat years ago should do the trick in getting him a UFC call-up.
- A 21-year-old representative of Myanmar knows he’s young, but thinks he’s nearing the point where the UFC will give him a look.
- Dubbed by many as the future of MMA in the midwest, a 21-year-old super prospect looks to keep the good results rolling and continue his destiny toward international notoriety.
- After a DWCS opportunity fell through in 2020, a Titan FC champion thinks one more title fight win will get him another UFC look.
Steve Aimable
Record: 18-8
Age: 35
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: England
Next Fight: Nov. 4 vs. Harry Hardwick (8-3-1) at Cage Warriors 145 in London (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: For 14 years, MMA has “taken over” Steve Aimable’s life. In 2009, he made his MMA debut. Over the course of the next decade-plus, Aimable rose to become a United Kingdom mainstay on the professional regional scene – a place he’s remained, taking on the toughest tests Cage Warriors has to offer. A soft-spoken, humble character who wears bright camouflage shorts quite contradictory to his personality, Aimable has only been finished once in neatly 30 pro fights. He’s had ups and downs, but ultimately finds himself on one of the best stretches of his career: a four-fight winning streak over four reputable foes.
The skinny: A training partner of UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen, Aimable never stops learning despite his experience. He’s a dependable, durable, smart fighter who you could throw in the cage with practically anyone from the United Kingdom and get a pretty fun, competitive fight out of it. Though he’s on the older side and the term “prospect” seems a bit unfair, Aimable has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s gearing up. With another UFC show headed to the United Kingdom in the first or second quarter of 2023, Aimable could make for the perfect short-notice call up should he win his November fight in Cage Warriors.
In his own words: “I’ve learned to stop overthinking things. If I lose, I lose. I started taking every fight as it was, not looking past (each). The results have obviously come good. I’ve got a couple of finishes again. I think it just comes down to not overthinking it, not stressing about anything, not overtraining, and just enjoying it like I used to. I’m just taking it as a bit of fun.”
“… I just love competing. I love pushing myself. I love being in the gym with all the other guys. There’s nothing better than looking across at your friend, knowing you’re going to punch each other in the face for 15 minutes. At the end of it, you’re going to shake hands and ask what you’re doing tomorrow. MMA builds great bonds. … For me now, I just want to see how far I can go, if it comes to the UFC or if it doesn’t. I just will know I’ve done everything in my power to be the best I can be and get as far as I can be.”
“… I’m one of the most exciting fighters in Europe, I feel. I’m never in a boring fight. I’ve only ever been finished once in 27 fights. That was in my fourth pro fight because of a silly mistake by me. I’ve never been close to getting finished since. I’m very durable. I’m very cage-savvy. I can see everything coming pretty much. I’d like to think I’d do pretty well. (My coach) Jack Stone thinks I’d do pretty well, too.”
Jordan Vucenic
Record: 9-1
Age: 26
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: England
Next Fight: Nov. 4 vs. Paul Hughes (8-1) at Cage Warriors 145 in London (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Working out in a local gym, a young Jordan Vucenic saw two guys in the back room of the facility. He stopped to watch and from that moment forth he was hooked. Fascinated by MMA, he knew he had to give it a shot. It just went from there. In 2017, he turned professional, a level in which he’s gone 9-1 in since. His only loss came in his third professional fight via unanimous decision against a fighter who at the time had four times the in-cage experience. In March 2021, Vucenic won the Cage Warriors featherweight championship when he defeated French star Morgan Charriere via split decision. In March 2022, he defended that title when he slickly submitted James Hedin.
The skinny: No matter who you are, if you win a Cage Warriors championship, you’re going to have some notable names on your resume. For Vucenic, the situation is no different. Victories over Steve Aimable, the aforementioned Charriere, and Paul Hughes, who he rematches Nov. 3, are very impressive, legitimate wins. Sure, he perhaps has a few more decisions on his record than the UFC would want, but the moral of the story remains, “all regional records are created equal.” Vucenic has shown well-above-average technique and smarts through 10 professional fights. His title defense in March was electric. The fans in his home country really dig him. Beating the next potential Irish MMA star for the second time should be all he needs to get to the next level.
In his own words: I believe Paul Hughes is UFC caliber, as I am. I look forward to going out there and showing the world I can be in there with the best guys in the world – and I’ll be finishing the best guys in the world. … There was hesitation for me not to take another fight, but I thought I couldn’t just sit around and wait forever. I’ve got a young family and if you’re not out there proving you’re the best, are people going to forget about you quickly in this game? Kill or be killed.”
“… I hope the UFC signs me for its UK show. I’ll bring a really big following and I hope the UFC knows that. That’s another thing that sways them in my favor, a big finish with a big crowd and a big superstar for them, I hope. … The more time that passes, the better I get. It sucks for me that I’m sitting out and waiting, but at the same time, I just added more skills to my game. When I get to the UFC, it’s going to be the best version of me as of yet.”
“… I think this fight is going to be a finish, most likely with strikes. If the submission is there, I believe if I get on top of anybody in the world – and I mean anybody – I can finish them.”
Joshua Van
Record: 6-1
Age: 21
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’5″
Birthplace: Myanmar
Next Fight: Nov. 6 vs. Tyler Bialecki (9-9) at Fury FC 71 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Simply put: Joshua Van got in too much trouble. Fighting was a method to compartmentalize violence and channel it toward something positive. Born in Myanmar, Van moved to Malaysia at 10 years old. At age 12, he moved to the United States where he’s resided since. It wasn’t easy as a non-English-speaking child growing up in the U.S. For Van, Middle school was cruel, and what he lacked verbally, he made up for physically. That’s where MMA stemmed from. Before long, his pro fighter dream was born. Van remembers Mayweather vs. McGregor as the moment that inspired him most to pursue MMA as a career. In 2018, he went all-in. Two years later in 2020, he had his first amateur fight. His amateur career lasted six months and he went 4-0. The quick pacing has continued as a professional, as his next fight will be his eighth in 13 months. In his most recent outing, Van knocked out highly-touted Paris Moran, regarded by some as one of the best flyweight prospects in the United States.
The skinny: Flyweights are always fun, but sometimes struggle with their finishing rate. That’s not the case here. Van’s got hands. He has five knockouts in six victories. His other method of victory? A calf-slicer. Van brings an elevated level of danger to every opponent he faces. If someone slips up, he’ll make them pay for it by snatching their consciousness. He’s already passed his first high-level test with flying colors. Now he’ll build on that fighting a 12-fight veteran. One more win in 2022 and the UFC should consider adding the 21-year-old to its roster.
In his own words: “For me, if I don’t fight and I’m not in the gym, I’m doing something I’m not supposed to do. So I like to stay in the gym and fight, so I can stay out of trouble and stuff. … The difference between me and others is I know what I want. Even before going into a fight, I write down what round I’ll knock them out or how I’d finish the fight, whatever. I’ll read that every night.
“Coming from another country and having a chance to fight for my people is one of the things that pushed me harder than other people. … Back in the country, it was a lot different than here. It’s just different. … I don’t know if you know what’s going on in Myanmar right now, but there’s a lot of military killing innocent people. All the time, that shit was going around for a while. Recently, it just got worse. That’s kind of the reason why my family wanted to move here. It’s because of the military and all that stuff going on there.”
“… I told everybody, I’ve always been ready for the UFC call. I’ll be there. I told my manager Jason House before my last fight I wanted to fight one of the best guys available. I asked for that fight, so I know I’m ready for the UFC call. Now that I got that over with, I feel like I’m ready 100 percent.”
Austin Bashi
Record: 7-0
Age: 21
Weight class: Bantamweight
Height: 5’5″
Birthplace: Michigan
Next Fight: Nov. 12 vs. Joe Penafiel (9-3) at Lights Out Championship 9 in Dearborn, Mich. (Spectation Sports)
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 and 8-1 records respectively.
The skinny: Bashi is already UFC level, yet he sees large amounts of room for improvement. In a culture full of “I’m the best in the world right now,” it’s refreshing to see a 21-year-old with a very mature mindset. If his analysis is correct, that’s a scary thought. He already has better wins than some UFC signees and has very few obvious holes in his game. With more cage time will come some adversity. It’s inevitable for all fighters. But it’s nice to know he’s not afraid of taking additional challenges. Even if he loses a fight, he’ll be on track to be a terror when he enters the ranks of the UFC through his skills and experience.
In his own words: “I never want to rush myself. People are always trying to ask me, ‘Why aren’t you trying to make it to the big leagues yet?’ It’s because I’m still learning. I’m still developing. I’m just taking this fight by fight, day by day. I’m not really rushing anything. … After this fight, I honestly want another handful of fights on the regional scenes before I go into the big leagues and fight tougher competition. The more experience I get in the regional scenes, the better. That way, when I do get into the big leagues, I’ve seen all sorts of tough guys already. I have a handful of fights left on the regional scene.
“… I train every single day, anywhere from six to eight hours a day. No matter what or how I’m feeling, I’m always going to the gym, every morning, every night. I’m learning more and more. I train hard and I just give it my all. That’s what I feel like differs me from other people. I don’t party. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t do any of that. All I really do is train and that’s about it.
“… Obviously, my goal is to be the greatest MMA fighter in the world, the greatest bantamweight fighter in the world. That’s kind of what pushes me everyday. I want to become a world champion. I’m fighting for my family and fighting for myself. I’m working to make sure everyone has a good life.”
Landon Quinones
Record: 6-1
Age: 26
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Florida
Next Fight: Nov. 18 vs. Yemi Oduwole (9-3) at Titan FC 80 in Miami (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Some fighters are all-in from the get-go. Landon Quinones admits he wasn’t one of those. He dabbled in and out of martial arts, since his mother put him in karate at age 5. It was just an activity. Quinones also explored some trial boxing classes. It was fun, but nothing special and too expensive. A neighbor got him into judo, but he was inconsistent. Basketball and other sports were more his jam. A self-described “degenerate” teenager who liked smoking weed with his friends, Quinones found relatability in a UFC fighter named Nate Diaz. As he watched how “real” the Diaz Brothers were in the face of adversity, Quinones finally found the drive to commit to MMA fully. Training three days a week turned into four days a week, then five, then six. His first MMA competition came at 18. After a 3-3 amateur career, Quinones turned pro in 2017. After a 5-1-1 start, Quinones received a Dana White’s Contender Series offer. Unfortunately, Quinones tested positive for COVID-19 and his bout was canceled. Bad turned to worse when he tore his ACL shortly thereafter. After much mental and physical recovery, Quinones returned in April and won the Titan FC lightweight title.
The skinny: Quinones is a “best of both worlds” prospect. He’s battle tested, but hasn’t maxed out his potential. His fighting style is fun and he finishes fights. A shiny Titan FC belt is perfect for the mantle, but also for the resume when it comes time for major promotions to do some scouting. The UFC already locked in on Quinones in 2020. Why they have not circled back remains a mystery. Regardless, Quinones in the meantime has shown tremendous mental fortitude in the face of adversity as he came back better than ever after his injury. He trains alongside some of the best fighters in the world at Kill Cliff FC. If he successfully defends his title belt, expect Quinones to grace major promotion’s cage soon.
In his own words: “It’s all in God’s timing. I built a lot of frustration after the last one. I had a little bit of issues with management and was guaranteed and told a lot of things that didn’t happen. I feel like with the way I perform and the way I fight and the way I am as a person, I check all the boxes to be in one of these big shows and get paid. I’m ready to make the next step in my journey to be a world champion. Hopefully after this one, we’re there at 7-1. More than likely I feel I’ll get a finish in this fight. That’ll be six of my seven wins as finishes. That’ll be a five-fight winning streak as well. I think I check all the boxes.
“I’m young. I feel like I’m explosive. I have an exciting fighting style. I like to strike. I finish fights. I speak well. I feel like I check all the boxes to be in these big shows. Hopefully with a win here, I will get there. If not, I’ll be ready for whatever. I had a two-year layoff because of my ACL surgery. I’ve only fought once since then. I’m just trying to get busy. I’m trying to get moving and fight as much as possible.
“I watched a lot of guys this past season on the Contender Series and I wasn’t impressed. That is mainly what it is. I don’t know who’s got the plug to be talking to Sean Shelby or Hunter Campbell to get on there, but they need to come my way.”
Fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:
- Nicholas Hwende (4-0) – Thursday vs. Nkazimulo Zulu (13-5-1) at EFC 99 in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Darya Zheleznyakova (7-0) – Thursday vs. Melissa Dixon (4-0) at ARES FC 9 in Paris, France (UFC Fight Pass)
- Caolan Loughran (6-0) – Friday vs. Nathan Fletcher (6-1) at Cage Warriors 145 in London, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Harry Hardwick (8-3-1) – Friday vs. Steve Aimable (18-8) at Cage Warriors 145 in London, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Paul Hughes (8-1) – Friday vs. Jordan Vucenic (9-1) at Cage Warriors 145 in London, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Shane Sobnosky (6-2) – Friday vs. Aaron Highbaugh (9-6) at Freedom Fight Night 3 in Phoenix (UFC Fight Pass)
- Jean Matsumoto (11-0) – Friday vs. Inaildo Santos (9-1) at LFA 146 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
- Felipe Douglas (20-5) – Friday vs. Rangel de Sa (11-2) at LFA 146 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
- Rangel de Sa (11-2) – Friday vs. Felipe Douglas (20-5) at LFA 146 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
- Gabriel Santos (8-0) – Friday vs. Marcio Barbosa (13-1) at LFA 146 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
- Marcio Barbosa (13-1) – Friday vs. Gabriel Santos (8-0) at LFA 146 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ramon Taveras (6-1) – Saturday vs. James Dunn (4-5) at Combat Night Duval in Jacksonville, Fla.
- Jakub Kaszuba (7-0) – Saturday vs. Nico Cocuccio (5-5-1) at Combat Night Duval in Jacksonville, Fla.
- Jesse Butler (11-4) – Sunday vs. Jake Heffernan (9-3) at Fury FC 71 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
- Blake Smith (6-1) – Nov. 10 vs. Kendly St-Louis (6-4) at CFFC 114 in Tampa, Fla. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Makoto Takahashi (14-1-1) – Nov. 10 vs. Diego Paiva (9-4) at CFFC 114 in Tampa, Fla. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Guido Santos (14-3) – Nov. 11 vs. Luis Fernando (10-6) at SFT in Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Nyle Bartling (6-1) – Nov. 11 vs. Brandon Erdman (4-2) at MCF 23 in North Platte, Neb.
- Mateusz Figlak (7-1) – Nov. 12 vs. Jim Wallhead (31-11) at Cage Warriors 146 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Marian Dimitrov (10-2) – Nov. 12 vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (6-0) at Cage Warriors 146 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Christian Leroy Duncan (6-0) – Nov. 12 vs. Marian Dimitrov (10-2) at Cage Warriors 146 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Mitch Raposo (6-1) – Nov. 17 vs. Flavio Carvalho (3-4-1) at CES MMA 71 in Lincoln, R.I. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Eddy George (5-0) – Nov. 17 vs. Ali Zebian (9-2) at CES MMA 71 in Lincoln, R.I. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ali Zebian (9-2) – Nov. 17 vs. Eddy George (5-0) at CES MMA 71 in Lincoln, R.I. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Nick Aguirre (6-0) – Nov. 17 vs. Greg Guzman (14-8) at Anthony Pettis FC 3 in Franklin, Wisc. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Johnny Hopper (6-1) – Nov. 17 vs. Juan Roman (6-2) at Anthony Pettis FC 3 in Franklin, Wisc. (UFC Fight Pass)
- A.J. Cunningham (9-2) – Nov. 18 vs. Edward Massey (7-6) at CFFC 115 in Tunica, Miss. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Dylan O’Sullivan (5-0) – Nov. 18 vs. Donovan Beard (7-2) at CFFC 115 in Tunica, Miss. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Collin Lubberts (6-1) – Nov. 18 vs. Raheam Forest (5-0) at CFFC 115 in Tunica, Miss. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Raheam Forest (5-0) – Nov. 18 vs. Collin Lubberts (6-1) at CFFC 115 in Tunica, Miss. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Yemi Oduwole (9-3) – Nov. 18 vs. Landon Quinones (6-1-1) at Titan FC 80 in Miami (UFC Fight Pass)
- Justin Wetzell (7-1) – Nov. 18 vs. Rafael do Nascimento (7-1) at LFA 147 in Sloan, Iowa (UFC Fight Pass)
- Rafael do Nascimento (7-1) – Nov. 18 vs. Justin Wetzell (7-1) at LFA 147 in Sloan, Iowa (UFC Fight Pass)
- Dennis Buzukja 8-2) – Nov. 19 vs. Boimah Karmo (9-5) at Maverick MMA 21 in Stroudsburg, Penn.
- Kaan Ofli (9-2-1) – Nov. 18 vs. Ernie Braca (4-4) at Hex Fight Series 24 in Melbourne, Victoria, Canada (UFC Fight Pass)
- Randall Rayment (11-3) – Nov. 19 vs. Ben Sosoli (7-3) at Hex Fight Series 24 in Melbourne, Victoria, Canada (UFC Fight Pass)
- George Hardwick (10-1) – Nov. 20 vs. Chris Bungard (17-7) at Cage Warriors 147 in London, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Sam Creasey (16-4) – Nov. 20 vs. Shajidul Haque (14-5) at Cage Warriors 147 in London, England (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ryder Newman (5-1) – Nov. 20 vs. Adriano Capitulano (9-4) at Tuff-N-Uff 130 in Las Vegas (UFC Fight Pass)
