10 fighters who UFC could sign with July wins

Record: 11-2*
Age: 24
Height: 5’6″
Weight: Flyweight
Birthplace: Brazil
Next fight: July 6 vs. Ignacio Fernandez (8-2) at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: The fighting journey began for Marcos Degli at 12 years old with muay Thai under master Cristian Nogueira, who he still trains under to this present day. Degli hopes to affix Kalindra Faria and Carlos Prates because the third UFC fighter to come back out of the team. Self-described as “versatile,” “intelligent,” and “disciplined,” Degli can be pretty self-aware, since all three traits accurately reflect him. Degli’s record speaks for itself. Currently Tapology’s No. 3-ranked Brazilian flyweight, Degli’s last six opponents had a combined record of 39-13. He’s a finisher, he’s fun, and he’s only 24. A win at LFA 187 can be nine in a row – and can align him perfectly as a final roster addition to “Dana White’s Contender Series.”

“(I would like to) show that I’m the very best in the category, and win many victories, be a considered guy who built a legacy on the planet of MMA, this fashion I’ll change my family’s life and my parents’ reality,” Degli recently told MMA Junkie through a Portuguese-language interpreter. “… I sleep and get up eager about it daily, I’m able to go in and show the strength of my dream. Because I’m a really dedicated guy, I could be ready for whoever is i front of me, in any area I raise doubts for my opponents and within the UFC it might be no different, I learned that the definition of luck is being prepared, so in the event that they called me they might be impressed with my variety of fight.”

* = Degli moved to 11-3 when he defeated Fernandez via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 4:32

Record: 20-5*
Age: 30
Height: 5’11”
Weight: Welterweight
Birthplace: Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Next fight: July 6 vs. Manuel Mena (12-3) at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Martial arts got here to Carlos Leal as a type of therapy after the lack of his father. He found comfort and peace through the muay Thai. His mother was his biggest supporter and helped guide him through the difficult times. Eventually, he found beliefs in God, Jesus Christ, and religion which he attributes to helping him find purpose. It was a protracted and winding road for Leal, who eventually got his big break in 2022. Following back-to-back wins at PFL Challenger Series, Leal stepped in to fight Ray Cooper III on short notice – and won a unanimous decision. He then fought within the 2022 PFL playoffs against Sadibou Sy and lost a unanimous decision. Leal qualified for the 2023 playoffs after two regular season wins, but Sy beat him again – this time by unanimous decision. Now (surprisingly) freed from PFL ties, Leal is probably the most talented free agents on the market. He’s 1-0 since. The UFC needs to offer this man a glance because they’re unlikely to regret it.

“The PFL was an important event for me because through it, I used to be capable of provide a greater living condition for my family,” Leal recently told MMA Junkie through a Portuguese-language interpreter. “I only have gratitude for everybody on the event. But I felt it was time for me to go away and take a look at something latest. … Today, my goal is the UFC. … I strongly imagine there’s a probability for that. That’s why I’m prepared to deliver the very best performance of my life. I definitely see myself amongst the very best in my division, and I imagine I actually have every thing it takes to change into the champion of the load class.”

* = Leal moved to 21-5 when he defeated Mena via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09

Record: 6-0
Age: 27
Height: 5’11”
Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Midland, Texas
Next fight: July 12 vs. Devon Dixon (6-1-1) at Fury FC 93 in San Antonio (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Tedrick Macklin has trucked every opponent thrown his way over the course of his short skilled profession. A taekwondo black belt, Macklin began within the discipline at age 6. He won a state title and competed internationally for the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) in continuous point-fighting. That’s his background, his foundation, his roots – and Macklin doesn’t mind the “point-fighter” tag. At the identical time, he understands the criticism. He’s not a discipline homer. He’s undefeated as an expert with five finishes in six fights. His focus has been excitement and if he continues to enhance in that department, there’s seemingly no stopping him from attending to the UFC. His biggest problem has been finding fights, but with a willing 6-1-1 opponent in Devon Dixon, this might be the one which gets him to the large show.

“On paper, that is in a way a Contender Series fight that’s not legitimately a Contender Series fight,” Macklin recently told MMA Junkie. “… I can’t see a win not either getting me considered one of these three things: a Contender Series shot, a late notice shot into the UFC, or at the very least a title shot in Fury. I’m pondering what I’m going to go on the market and do and the style during which I’m going to do it’s going to be hard to not have eyes on me that may get me to the UFC. When I’m going on the market and beat this opponent the best way I’m going to beat him, it’s not going to be me begging to get into the UFC; it’s going to be them begging for me. My goal shouldn’t be to only be a fighter within the UFC. I’m attempting to bring my unique style and really captivate the fans – and be a star. I’m going to be considered one of those names people go, ‘Oh, man, we’ve got to observe a ‘T-Money’ fight.’”

Record: 13-3
Age: 29
Height: 5’7″
Weight: Bantamweight
Birthplace: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Next fight: July 12 vs. Rafael do Nascimento (9-2) at LFA 188 in Chandler, Ariz. (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: As an obese teenager, John Sweeney didn’t take wrestling seriously. He wasn’t interested to start with, but his dad talked him into it. Sweeney lost the load through wrestling and transitioned to karate. It was his first official striking experience, though growing up with 10 blood-related aunts and uncles meant a variety of “crazy as hell” cousins and toughness built on the playground. He competed collegiately for a yr but encountered some disciplinary issues and dropped out of school. He went pro in fighting, moving up the ranks under the tutelage of Upstate Karate. In a day and age where seemingly everyone seems to be getting signed left and right, we seldom have “must-sign” prospects sitting on the shelf. Sweeney is considered one of them. But fairly than sit around and feel bad for himself, Sweeney has remained lively to prove he’s price a serious promotion’s investment. Although not a ending machine, Sweeney is way from boring – and has mic skills – and now holds an LFA title, too. Now with a brand new team and management, Sweeney hopes the ultimate tweaks were made to get a UFC call.

“It’s been some time but I’ve been honing different skills,” Sweeney recently told MMA Junkie. “I’ve been skateboarding and playing basketball – just doing every thing I like with real passion behind it. I’m in even higher shape. It’s going to be the very best performance that I’ve ever had, so I’m excited to display my skills. … I’ve made a variety of big changes. I’ve had some mad experiences been happening in my life to wake me up and shake me up in the precise direction. I ended up making some moves for myself. Perhaps not all of them were correct, but regardless I made proper and proper moves. … This ought to be the one. Do I do know completely? Nah, anything can occur. But my resume speaks for itself.”

Record: 10-4
Age: 26
Height: 5’9″
Weight: Bantamweight
Birthplace: Houston
Next fight: July 21 vs. Ryan Mondala (4-6) at Fury FC 94 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Someday, Cameron Smotherman was bored. Out of all of the times his buddy nagged him to try training, he finally took him up on it. After a 3-2 amateur stint, Smotherman turned pro. He trained under the late Saul Soliz, who laid the inspiration as Smotherman built himself as a professional. Following 4 wins in a row, Smotherman fought on Dana White’s Contender Series. He was finished in precisely one minute by Charalampos Grigoriou in 2023. Smotherman said he learned through that have that “sometimes life sucks and that sh*t happens,” but hopped back within the gym after three months of processing. He’s 2-0 since under the Fury FC banner.

“I feel like I’ve made adjustments and I’m continually attempting to recuperate daily to make certain something like that (DWCS loss) never happens again,” Smotherman recently told MMA Junkie. “… I felt like I had a harder path to everyone to get to Contender Series and I’m still attempting to work out what I can possibly do to make something occur. I actually have the exciting fights and get the crazy knockouts. The battle for me is mental. It’s not even putting within the work. It’s attempting to stay positive and make something occur. … I’ve trained with enough guys from UFC, Bellator, and ONE. I’m greater than adequate and greater than hold my very own.”

Smotherman steadily works alongside UFC contender Adrian Yanez and under UFC alum Yves Edwards. Yanez sings his praises.

Yanez recently told MMA Junkie, “Cameron is considered one of the few guys I’ve ever trained with who will fight on Sunday and get back within the gym on Monday morning. He’s that variety of fighter. He’s very harsh even within the wins he has, where he desires to recuperate. There aren’t many people who will take a win as a loss. He’s considered one of those guys. Even when he did a spectacular job at it, he’s going to take a seat back and critique every little thing that he did incorrect. There’s not many individuals built like that.”

Record: 7-0
Age: 25
Height: 5’9″
Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Italy
Next fight: July 25 vs. Mason Jones (14-2) at Cage Warriors 175 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Michael Pagani has been training since he began kickboxing at age 15. MMA began at age 20. With one yr of amateur experience, Pagani turned skilled at 21. It started off at the bottom level of the professional ranks in Italy, but Pagani’s competition level slowly increased over time. While the opponents modified, the outcomes stayed the identical. Pagani has five finishes in seven fights. He made his Cage Warriors debut in July 2023 when he defeated previously undefeated James Power, which was big – but not as big if he defeats Mason Jones, who can be “on the doorstep.” The UFC is in need of more Italian representation with Marvin Vettori and Manolo Zecchini the country’s lone representatives for the time being.

“I’m ready for this. I’m very excited for this matchup and I cannot wait. This can be a big name, but my dream and my objective is UFC. I’ve trained very hard for this. This guy was before within the UFC. For me, it’s a superb test and a probability to get into the UFC. I’m ready for this fight and I cannot wait. It’s showtime. It’s ‘Sniper’ time. … It’s possible that that is (for a UFC contract). But my focus is on this match, not the following. First, this match and I’ll give it some thought afterward. … But I feel my skillset is nice for the UFC. I train hard. My skills, at once, are ready for the UFC.”

Record: 14-2
Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Wales
Next fight: July 25 vs. Michael Pagani (7-0) at Cage Warriors 175 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Mason Jones began off in kickboxing when he was seven years old. From kickboxing, he moved into Japanese jiu-jitsu to judo to Brazilian jiu-jitsu to boxing to muay Thai to taekwondo; Jones piled up the martial arts. Fast forward to the current day, and Jones has three black belts: kickboxing, judo, and BJJ. A proud representative of Wales, Jones carried his flag into the UFC where he competed 4 times from January 2021 to July 2022. He went 1-2 with one no contest. His fights were competitive and fun. His losses aged well, as they were against Mike Davis and Ludovit Klein. Though his release surprised many, Jones didn’t put things on hold to figure it out. He jumped right back on the horse. He’s 3-0 in Cage Warriors since with three knockouts/TKOs over tough competition.

“I’m very self-critical and I have a look at those performances,” Jones told MMA Junkie in February. “The positive points don’t do anything for me. I’m an conceited person. You might have to be on this sport. I’m the best fighter at 155 kilos and I actually have to imagine that I’m. I actually have potential to be the world champion at lightweight within the UFC or whatever organization I find yourself in. I do know the caliber I’m. I train with guys at the highest of 155, the highest of 145, the highest of 170. I do know the caliber I’m at, but we’re the one percent. This game is split into one percents. What I do is have a look at what I did incorrect and improve.”

Record: 6-1
Age: 33
Height: 6’3″
Weight: Light heavyweight
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Next fight: July 26 vs. Steve MacDonald (4-1) at CFFC 133 in Tampa (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: For Phillip Latu, growing up wasn’t easy. It’s what led him to fighting. Latu remembers the precise moment he realized he’d pursue fighting: when he fought back against his father and dropped him. Right then and there, he embraced the sense of empowerment and have become hooked on overcoming obstacles. He moved to Colorado and Elevation Fight Team with Abdul Razak Alhassan, Zac Pauga, and Curtis Blaydes amongst others. Latu turned skilled in 2021 and all seven of his fights since have ended inside the space. In a division where legit prospects are sparse, the UFC ought to be throughout Latu. He’s exciting and well-spoken with backstory. He’s also a proud representative of Tonga, a nation where he might be the primary UFC representative. Oh, and he already has a callout ready. Mohammed Usman, should you’re reading this, he says he wants a fight. Riding a three-fight TKO/knockout streak, a fourth should get him into the large leagues.

“Being a UFC champion is great, but I just intend to make my stamp. I would like the entire world to know I’m going to be essentially the most dangerous man alive. That comes with territory. That’s what it’s. That’s what’s going to occur. Whoever is in front of me, I don’t care. I would like everyone within the UFC. I would like any 205er, any light heavyweight within the UFC, especially Mohammed Usman. … If the UFC calls me, I’d be ready at once. I’m comfortable being who I’m. I realize we undergo so many various characters and kinds of sorts of fighting. I’ve realized the variety of character I’m in any case this time. … Now that I do know who I’m, I’m just going to go and f*ck shit up. I just want destruction.”

Record: 7-0
Age: 25
Height: 5’11”
Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Kyzyl-Yurt, Russia
Next fight: July 27 vs. Ali Kabdulla (9-2-1) at UAE Warriors 51 in Abu Dhabi (UFC Fight Pass)

The Skinny: Khabib Nurmagomedov. Islam Makhachev. Usman Nurmagomedov. Umar Nurmagomedov. Amru Magomedov could thoroughly be joining these names soon. The following in line of an other-wordly fight team lineage, Magomedov is destined for greatness. For years, Magomedov has been molded to have all of the traits of a champion. He’s traveled the world to experience UFC, Bellator, and PFL fight weeks with a few of the world’s best fighters. Now at 7-0 himself, Magomedov is probably going one win away from notching a UFC deal of his own. He’s sped through much of his skilled profession with five first-round finishes in seven fights. He’s never fought an opponent with a losing record. UAE Warriors puts on as legit regional fights as any promotion on the market, so Magomedov (3-0 within the promotion) has proven himself against legitimate competition. Magomedov is already ready. Without delay, that is extra credit.

Record: 16-5-1
Age: 29
Height: 6’0″
Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Whitman, Mass.
Next fight: July 20 vs. Peter Barrett (16-6) at Cage Titans 66 in Plymouth, Mass. (Spectation Sports)

The Skinny: Fight fans might remember Joe Giannetti because the crafty submission specialist who was the lightweight runner-up for “The Ultimate Fighter 27.” But he’s change into far more than that since. When he competed for the UFC reality series back in 2018, he wasn’t that far faraway from being an obese kid who turned to MMA for self-defense. He even admits his one UFC showing wasn’t one. Six years later, Giannetti has grown tremendously. He’s taken risks on the regional scene and so they haven’t at all times paid off. However the fighter that exists now in 2024 would school the guy from six years ago, so it looks as if he’s made the precise decisions. He’s 7-1 in his most up-to-date eight, including back-to-back highlight reel knockouts in his most up-to-date two. Now cross-training with Tyson Chartier and the Latest England Cartel, a win over Peter Barrett, one other guy on the cusp of a UFC call back, should put a stamp on a ticket back to the promotion.

“I feel like a totally different fighter. I feel like me now would just do terrible things to 22-year-old me. Truthfully, that’s form of been my goal since getting cut. Everybody is like, ‘Two or three wins and also you’ll be back within the UFC. I’ve gotten offered different promotions’ lesser guys. Perhaps ending a few bums in two or three fights would’ve gotten me back to the UFC so fast. But I’ve been telling everybody for the reason that day I’ve got cut that I would like to enhance. I would like to beat good guys. Because once I do get back, it’s not going to only be one other Latest England guy making a two or three-fight run. I would like to fight for a title someday. I would like to be the very best on the planet. I’ve taken the years since and focused on improving. I’ve done that and I’m not near my peak.”

• Hugo Paiva (9-2) – July 5 def. Rodrigo Roldan (6-5) via TKO in Round 1 at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
• Pedro Doreto (6-0) – July 5 def. Leandro Solano (3-1) via TKO in Round 1 at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
• Lionel Abojer (11-2) – July 5 def. Apollo Gomes (9-1) via submission in Round 2 at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
• Samuel Dias (10-2) – July 5 def. Renzo Cortti (9-5) via TKO in Round 1 at LFA 187 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)
• Maike Linhares (19-3) – July 6 def. Antonio da Silva (21-10) via unanimous decision at Lajeado Fight MMA in Lajeado, Tocantins, Brazil (YouTube)
• Igeu Kabesa (18-2) – Thursday vs. Humphrey Mulenga (6-1) at EFC 115 in Sandton, South Africa
• Jose Delgado (6-1) – Friday vs. Lucas Faria (7-2) at LFA 188 in Chandler, Ariz. (UFC Fight Pass)
• Nicolas Leblond (10-4) – July 20 vs. Shajidul Haque (16-5) at Cage Warriors 174 in London (UFC Fight Pass)
• Shajidul Haque (16-5) – July 20 vs. Nicolas Leblond (10-4) at Cage Warriors 174 in London (UFC Fight Pass)
• Peter Barrett (16-6) – July 20 vs. Joe Giannetti (16-5-1) at Cage Titans 66 in Plymouth, Mass. (Spectation Sports)
• Jonathan Kunnerman (5-0) – July 20 vs. Tristyn DeHart (5-6) at Latest Line Cagefighting 26 in Catlettsburg, Ky.
• Stefano Paterno (17-4-1) – July 25 vs. Olli Santalahti (14-6) at Cage Warriors 175 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)
• Morquez Forest (5-0) – July 26 vs. Robert Watley (14-3) at CFFC 133 in Tampa, Fla. (UFC Fight Pass)
• Robert Watley (14-3) – July 26 vs. Morquez Forest (5-0) at CFFC 133 in Tampa, Fla. (UFC Fight Pass)
• Devin Goodale (5-0) – July 26 vs. Alonzo Turner (4-0) at Tuff-N-Uff 138 in Las Vegas (UFC Fight Pass)
• Christian Avalos (5-1) – July 26 vs. Samuel Alvarez (10-6) at Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 23 (UFC Fight Pass)