Tag: Juan Puerta

On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make UFC with September wins

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves.

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.

This month:

  • An under-the-radar New Englander thinks a major regional promotion’s title will help catch the UFC’s eye.
  • An undefeated rising star from Bosnia and Herzegovina plans to use an LFA headlining opportunity to show the UFC he’s ready.
  • One of the most highly-touted prospects in all of MMA has proven she’s more than just a grappler – but continues to improve her punching prowess awaiting a UFC call.
  • A crafty flyweight veteran who hasn’t lost since 2017 eagerly anticipates his 13th straight win, which he thinks will finally elevate him into the UFC.
  • An Ecuador-born bantamweight based in taekwondo and cultivated by Ryan Hall jiu-jitsu plans to join countryman “Chito” in the UFC sooner or later.

Dana White’s Contender Series 46: Grading the winners

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the performances of the DWCS 46 winners.

Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2021) took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders whom the UFC matchmakers can use for future events. So, with that trend in mind, I will once again be taking a look at the winning fighters regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, grading their performances in regards to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.

Titan FC champ Juan Puerta signs multi-fight deal with Combate Americas

Titan FC flyweight champion Juan Puerta has finally found a new home.

Titan FC flyweight champion [autotag]Juan Puerta[/autotag] has finally found a new home.

According to the 32-year-old Georgia-born fighter, Puerta (18-6) has inked a multi-fight deal with Combate Americas. Puerta made the announcement in an Instagram post Friday. He didn’t reveal a timeline or opponent for his promotional debut.

“Leadfeather” started off his career with an 11-6 record. Since 2017, Puerta has defeated every opponent put in front of him for a seven-fight win streak. His flying-knee knockout of hyped prospect Gustavo Balart put Puerta on the map in February 2018. The American Top Team product’s gutsy D’Arce choke submission of Kazbek Ashimov in December 2018 proved he can take it as well as he can dish it.

In his most recent outing at Titan FC 57 in October, Puerta submitted Renaldo Adolfo de los Santos by fourth-round armbar to retain his title.

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“I bring a totally different level of intensity,” Puerta told MMA Junkie in October. “I come out fired up, and I start fired up. I don’t stop until the fight’s over. I do a lot of ground stuff, because I’m also a grappler, but I’m relentless with everything I do. I’ll be in every position, and I’ll be fighting until the death.

“You won’t ever see me break. My mentality is probably the toughest mentality coming into the cage. That’s the biggest thing people should take a look at. I want to break everyone I’m in the cage with, and I’ll never be broken mentally.”

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