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 New Englander migrated to Florida and American Top Team to help make his dreams come true – and he thinks he’s close.
- Erin Blanchfield’s main training partner continues down a similar path with major UFC aspirations on her mind.
- A Vietnam-born flyweight is only 23, but making huge waves thus far on the regional scene and plans to continue them until Mick Maynard comes calling.
- Formerly of Oklahoma State University, a standout wrestler’s transition into MMA is seemingly destiny, bolstered by a recent move to Fortis MMA.
- Don’t call it a comeback, but a Welsh lightweight is obsessed with earning a second UFC opportunity – and is on his way to doing so.
Nate Ghareeb
Record: 9-2
Age: 30
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: Hot Springs, Ark.
Next Fight: Friday vs. Don Shainis (13-6) at Combat FC 6 in Wilmington, Mass. (UFC Fight Pass)*
Background: High school wrestling paved the path for Nate Ghareeb. So the obvious was next – a WWE wrestler. Ghareeb’s dream of professional wrestling was short-lived, however. He considered going to pro wrestling school, but his high school coach advised him against it and go with MMA instead. Ghareeb wasn’t really familiar, but the more he looked, the more he liked. After injuries in consecutive years during his collegiate wrestling stint at Springfield College (Mass.), he decided to pivot to a jiu-jitsu gym. The gym had a kickboxing class – and he fell in love with striking. After he transferred to West Virginia University, he dedicated himself to the art of muay Thai. Combat sports became his life. At the crossroads of pursuing a potential career as a police officer or becoming a full-time fighter in 2016, Ghareeb chose the latter. After a 6-3 amateur career, Ghareeb turned pro in July 2019. Over the span of 11 fights, his only losses were to top Bellator prospect Cody Law, and a close and controversial decision against Dan Dubuque. He bounced back nicely with three straight wins, including a rare Suloev stretch submission.
The skinny: It hasn’t been a straight shot to the top for Ghareeb, but his path has been effective in the long term. As he’s progressed through his career, Ghareeb has slowly but surely figured out a stable and successful recipe to improve as a fighter. He’s got a good personality, finishing abilities, great cardio, and a dog in him – an attribute you really can’t teach. For a while, he was a bit of a training nomad. He picks up knowledge from a number of different gyms and training partners in New England – although much of his training took place at his actual house. Eventually, Ghareeb pivoted. In order to make his dream come true, he couldn’t do it all by himself. So he packed up his bags and moved to South Florida where he trains every day with the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Movsar Evloev, and others at American Top Team. On a three-fight finishing streak, Ghareeb should get a UFC glance should he make it four-for-four.
In his own words: “I absolutely love it down here. I train with the best in the world every single day – people I look up to. These are really high-level guys who are in the UFC already. They’re where I want to be. I ended up coming down here my last two camps down here and prepared with Mike Brown, Thiago Alves, and Steve Mocco. It’s made a world of difference when you’re training with the best in the world every single day and helping guys get ready for UFC-level fights like Arman Tsarukyan and Grant Dawson, who I sparred with a lot, helping them get ready for their fights.
“I train with guys like Edson Barboza, who I’ve looked up to forever. It gives you a certain level of confidence because if you can find little bits of success within your rounds with these guys, you know these are some of the best in the world. … Being put to the test every day in a room where there are no rest rounds makes a world of difference. … If they’re telling you, ‘This is good,’ it means so much more than some guy that doesn’t have those credentials.”
“… I 100 percent believe that I am 100 percent ready. I just think I need my opportunity. I think they just need to give me one chance. I don’t think I’m one of those guys who will waste that opportunity. I’ve been waiting for this for years. Last time I was (‘On The Doorstep’), I truly felt I was on that trajectory and path. I’ve had another year and three more fights to make those adjustments and improvements. Now, compared to where I was mentally, physically, and technically, I’m just an overall way better fighter. … If they call me tomorrow, I’m ready to go.”
* Following the finalization of this story, Ghareeb withdrew from his fight vs. Don Shainis, who remains on Combat FC 6 vs. Damion Nelson on UFC Fight Pass.
Fatima Kline
Record: 5-0
Age: 23
Weight class: Strawweight
Height: 5’6″
Birthplace: Holbrook, N.Y.
Next Fight: Feb. 9 vs. Andressa Romero (6-3-1) at CFFC 129 in Philadelphia (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Living on Long Island, Fatima Kline’s mother put her in jiu-jitsu class at 10 years old for self-defense reasons. A bond with fighting was quickly formed and Kline transitioned to kickboxing, wrestling, and boxing at 14. By 16, Kline wanted to fight as a career, as she competed in the adult divisions of grappling competitions, often defeating full-grown women. The goals were laid out early. At 20, she debuted as a professional in May 2021. After four wins in Invicta FC, Kline has aligned herself for a major promotional title under the CFFC banner.
The skinny: For those who don’t know – Kline is the main training partner for UFC flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield. The two have worked together for approximately four years, training under Augie Matias at MK Muay Thai. It seems like the camp keeps a small circle – but it’s an effective one. Blanchfield’s climb up the UFC ladder toward a title has been rocket-fast and Kline shows the same signs early, particularly in the grappling departments, through just four pro fights. Kline’s grappling background and success in tournaments has shown her to be a threat as soon as the fight hits the mat. Her relentless striking and pacing was on full display in her most recent outing, a CFFC flyweight title-clinching victory over Sara Cova. Now, Kline attempts to become CFFC champ-champ. If she has two belts over her shoulders by the end of the month, the UFC would be silly not to give her a phone call.
In her own words: “It feels really good to know I’m having back-to-back fights. Just getting a chance to get another title and another championship win? I’m really excited about that. … I was super happy with my last performance and I feel like I was really able to display most of my game – my striking, my wrestling, my grappling. I plan on doing that again.”
“… I want to stay active and I jumped on this opportunity right away. I think fighting for another belt, winning another belt, getting another finish, and being 6-0 will make me almost undeniable after this fight. Hey, listen, if the UFC calls me for UFC 300 or the card the next week, as long as I’m not hurt, I’m going to jump in there and really make my dream come true. … I think 6-0 with two belts around my waist, I’d not only be a contender but I’d be world-class. I just need the opportunity to show that. This next fight will be giving me that opportunity.”
An Tuan Ho
Record: 5-0
Age: 23
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’6″
Birthplace: Tan Phong, Tay Ninh, Vietnam
Next Fight: Feb. 9 vs. Miguel Sanson (4-1) at LFA 176 in Phoenix (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Born in Vietnam, An Tuan Ho moved to the United States at 10 years old. He never liked school and never fit in. Ho marched to the beat of his own drum, and eventually, that meant giving martial arts a spin at 14. He wanted to build confidence and learn self-defense. Ho dedicated all of his time to elevating his craft and won six regional fights in less than three years after a half-dozen-or-so kickboxing smoker fights. Initially, Ho was training at Fight Ready in Scottsdale, Ariz. The lessons he learned from coach Santino Defranco he still carries with him today. But it was coach Randy Steinke that Ho grew a bond with the most. When Steinke departed for the MMA Lab, Ho followed. He turned professional in 2022 and has gone 5-0 since.
The skinny: If you don’t believe in destiny, follow the career of Ho and you might change your opinion. It’d be unfair to say he’s a natural at MMA, since almost a decade of work will be behind his first performance of 2024. But that’s the kind of vibe Ho gives off, if you didn’t know better. At 23, there’s room for so much improvement – but yet he’s already so far along. With bombs in his hands and lightning-quick speed, Ho is dangerous at all times. His skillset is only amplified by the great team he has behind him. The MMA Lab has arguably never been thriving more than it is right now. With the gym already having former and current UFC champions on the roster, the case can be made it also has a future one.
In his own words: “Once I found the confidence MMA gives you, I saw the light. I was like, ‘OK, I can help my family out now.’ I can make something out of myself now. I had never committed to anything, any other sports or anything in life, to be honest. Now, I feel like I just want to become the best version I can become and I want to become a world champion and be in the UFC. That’s my motivation.”
“… Sometimes I drive home from the gym and I won’t put on music. I just let my thoughts carry me. One of those days, you just think about your life. Man, all of the choices I’ve made have brought me to this point. Everything happens for a reason and this is what God made me to do. … I feel like my whole life I’ve been the hero of the movie. I face so much adversity just coming up and I’m still facing that adversity. I’ve never let anything stop me from what I want to do. … My personality carries through my fighting style. When times get tough in the cage, I don’t give up. I find a way to win.”
“… I feel like I’m super ready to go to the UFC. Training over at the MMA Lab has made that part very easy for me to think about. I don’t have a job so I just go train every single day. Everyone who I’ve trained with are black belts and UFC fighters and UFC champions. I’ve been training nonstop since 14, just focused on this 24/7 every single day – so I think I’m ready. This is the time.”
Jacobe Smith
Record: 7-0
Age: 28
Weight class: Welterweight
Height: 6’2″
Birthplace: Muskogee, Okla.
Next Fight: Feb. 24 vs. Jared McLoughlin (7-5) at Fury FC 86 in Dallas (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Jacobe Smith was an athlete to be from the start of his life, since his father was an NFL draftee. While Smith played football, he found his niche in wrestling instead. Born in Oklahoma, Smith spent time in Louisiana growing up. When it was time to pursue college athletics, it was a no-brainer. Oklahoma State University (OSU) was the move. Following the conclusion of his wrestling career, Smith pivoted to MMA while he healed nagging injuries. Initially, he trained at AKA, brought in by Daniel Cormier, alongside fellow prospects Kyle Crutchmer and Nick Piccininni. After a few successful outings, Smith decided to move to Fortis MMA under coach Sayif Saud – and hasn’t looked back. Happy and healthy, Smith is 5-0 with four TKO victories.
The skinny: Smith is likely already circled on Sean Shelby’s future signee list, given his credentials in wrestling and connections to multiple of the world’s top gyms. Thus far in his MMA career, Smith has made each test look like a breeze – impressive considering some of those outings he was very unhealthy during. Now with Fortis and coach Saud, Smith said the effort he’s put into recovery has reshaped him back into form. His upcoming fight will be another great gauge. With another victory, it’s quite possible Smith has overextended his stay on the regional scene. The next step up in competition would be the UFC prelims, though his story may be sought after for Dana White’s Contender Series.
In his own words: “We’re pretty much at a point in my career where whenever we get the green light (for the next step), we’ll be ready – no matter the opponent. … With talking with Coach Sayif Saud, he’s always so locked in. He had the conversation ready before I was there. The plan was to be ready by this summer, and I just didn’t want to wait. That’s why I’m taking fights and doing all this. … Being around Sayif, he’s the pinpoint personality of a coach that I need. In coaches, I need somebody who is going to push me and not just praise the good that I do. … Now that I’m living clean and actually like a professional fighter, those aches don’t happen, when I get in crazy situations, like they used to. That was my lifestyle. Pretty much, he cleaned me up.”
“… Right now, I’m f*cking good. I’m good as f*ck. … I’m at a point in my fighting career where I feel like I’m good as f*ck. I’m not worried about no one. You could throw me in there with any style of fighting and I can adapt and figure something out to get the edge or wow the judges over that much more. I understand fighting that much more. I’ve had the tools and have been having the tools since I was 17 or 18 years old. Now, they’re teaching me how to work my mind.
“… It sounds cocky, but it’s not. I’m not going and seeking to show people this. People are asking me. I’m just trying to relay (the truth) in the best way I can and I feel like I’m damn good. I can go with anybody, which I know I can. I train with the best, from the Russians (at AKA) to the strikers I’m here with now (at Fortis MMA). I’m just ready for whatever.”
Mason Jones
Record: 13-2
Age: 28
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Wales
Next Fight: Feb. 23 vs. Bryce Logan (13-7) at Cage Warriors 166 in Wilmington, Mass. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Mason Jones started off in kickboxing when he was seven years old. From kickboxing, he moved into Japanese jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu was followed by judo, which was followed by Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Then came boxing and muay Thai and taekwondo. Fast forward to the present day, and Jones has three black belts: one in kickboxing, one in judo, and a first-degree in BJJ. A proud representative of Wales, Jones carried his flag into the UFC where he competed four times from January 2021 to July 2022. Though he went 1-2 with one no contest, Jones proved to be an exciting, game fighter. Since his UFC departure, Jones has gone 2-0 for Cage Warriors, the promotion he previously held two titles for. Both wins were TKOs.
The skinny: When a fighter wins only one of their first four UFC fights, it’s not a surprise that the promotion may split from them. That said, wins and losses don’t accurately define Jones, who has consistently proven to be one of the best fighters from Western Europe. His strength of schedule in the UFC has aged well. His two losses were against Mike Davis and Ludovit Klein. He defeated David Onama, who is viewed as a hot up-and-comer. Jones is enthusiastic, emphatic, and exciting. At 28, Jones is a rare case of someone who clearly deserves a second UFC opportunity. A third straight win under the Cage Warriors banner should push him over the finish line.
In his own words: “It doesn’t matter the caliber of the fights. It doesn’t matter how close the decisions were. It doesn’t matter two or three of those (UFC appearances) should’ve been wins rather than just the one. It was just the fact I had two losses, one no contest, and one win. That’s the important part. As a fighter, that’s all I can do is stick to the facts – and those are the facts.”
“… I’m very self-critical and I look at those performances. The positive points don’t do anything for me. I’m an arrogant person. You have to be in this sport. I’m the greatest fighter at 155 pounds and I have to believe that I am. I have potential to be the world champion at lightweight in the UFC or whatever organization I end up in. I know the caliber I am. I train with guys at the top of 155, the top of 145, the top of 170. I know the caliber I’m at, but we are the one percent. This game is split into one percents. What I do is look at what I did wrong and improve. I’ve literally broken those fights down. The easiest thing in the world is say, ‘Wow, the judges were against me,’ or ‘I won the statistics.'”
“… I’m not going to specify if I want to go back to the UFC or go to the PFL. It’s about whatever is available to me. I just want to stay active and keep learning. For me, it’s a big learning experience. I can’t control things. I’ll leave that in the hand of my management team and they’ll find fights for me. All I can control is the things I need to work on.”
Fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:
- Timmy Cuamba (8-1) – Feb. 2 def. Michael Stack (7-1) via TKO (head kick and punches) at Tuff-N-Uff 135 in Las Vegas (UFC Fight Pass)
- Ernesto Rodriguez (8-1) – Feb. 2 def. Edson Marques (11-2) via TKO (punches) at Tuff-N-Uff 135 in Las Vegas (UFC Fight Pass)
- Yadier DelValle (6-0) – def. Adam Smith (11-11) via submission (armbar) at Fury Challenger Series 11 in Houston (YouTube)
- Scottie Stockman (10-2) – Feb. 8 vs. Rodrigo Sezinando (5-1) at BFL 79 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (UFC Fight Pass)
- Quillan Salkilld (5-1) – Feb. 10 vs. Dom Mar Fan (4-1) at Eternal MMA 82 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia (UFC Fight Pass)
- Shamidkhan Magomedov (7-1) – Feb. 23 vs. Devin Smyth (10-3) at LFA 177 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Devin Smyth (10-3) – Feb. 23 vs. Shamidkhan Magomedov (7-1) at LFA 177 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Taylor Mauldin (4-0) – Feb. 23 vs. Valesca Machado (12-4) at Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 18 in Leemore, Calif. (UFC Fight Pass)
- Julius Holmes (9-2) – Feb. 24 vs. Aaron Phillips (8-4) at Fury FC 86 in Dallas (UFC Fight Pass)
- Andres Luna Martinetti (14-1) – Feb. 25 vs. Jesus Ramos (11-8) at UWC in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass)
- Adrian Luna Martinetti (13-1) – Feb. 25 vs. Mahatma Garcia (13-10-1) at UWC in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass)
