Tag: Michael Dufort

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 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.

  • A “TUF 29” cast member hopes his battles inside the cage lead to a UFC contract as he continues to fight a different kind of fight to make his community safer outside of it.
  • An explosive Brazilian out of Xtreme Couture sees knockouts as his way to get into the UFC – and he’s nearing closer and closer as the highlight reel expands.
  • The front-runner candidate to be the next Tristar fighter to sign with a major promotion, an exciting lightweight travels into enemy territory against perhaps his biggest name to date.
  • An Arizona-based, Sierra Leone-born bantamweight aims to be the first born in his country to grace the UFC, but he needs to pick up another win in Fury FC first.
  • A 21-year-old undefeated phenom who already has double-digit pro wins faces his toughest test to date with major promotion circling the waters.

PFL Challenger Series lightweight lineup set for March 18

The lineup is set for another PFL Challenger Series event. Lightweights will be up in March.

The lineup is set for another PFL Challenger Series event. Lightweights will be up in March.

On March 18, 155-pounders will have a shot at a PFL contract. As MMA Junkie previously reported, the eight-week series of prospects-based events all air on Fubo Sports Network from Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. The first event takes place on Feb. 18.

“We could not be more excited about the lightweight talent entering the inaugural PFL Challenger Series,” PFL president Ray Sefo stated. “When the lightweights square off with a potential PFL roster spot up for grabs on March 18, MMA fans are guaranteed action and excitement.”

In the headlining bout, Brazil’s [autotag]Bruno Miranda[/autotag] (13-3) takes on [autotag]Carson Frei[/autotag] (9-4). Miranda has a four-fight winning streak. Frei has won three of his past four fights.

[autotag]Damir Ferhatbegovic[/autotag] (5-2-1) is the Valor FC lightweight champion. His opponent, [autotag]BJ Bland[/autotag] (16-10), trains at City Kickboxing in New Zealand with fighters including UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya and UFC featherweieght titleholder Alexander Volkanovski.

[autotag]Michael Dufort[/autotag] (8-4), a training partner of the PFL’s Olivier Aubin-Mercier, has all eight of his wins by stoppage. He fights [autotag]Arut Pogosian[/autotag] (9-3), who trains at Elevation Fight Team in Colorado. Pogosian has a three-fight winning streak, including two first-round knockouts.

Israel’s [autotag]Yanal Ashmoz[/autotag] (6-0) meets [autotag]Dennis Hughes[/autotag] (7-3) in the fourth matchup. Ashmoz is unbeaten with five straight finishes, including four by knockout. Hughes has won three straight and has finishes in six of his seven wins.

The complete lineup for the March 18 lightweight card includes:

  • Carson Frei vs. Bruno Miranda
  • BJ Bland vs. Damir Ferhatbegovic
  • Michael Dufort vs. Arut Pogosian
  • Yanal Ashmoz vs. Dennis Hughes

On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make UFC or Bellator with November 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 or Bellator 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:

  • Promised another look from the UFC boss, this Dana White’s Contender Series winner aims to get his second win in front of the promotional brass – and a contract, too.
  • An undefeated Stipe Miocic training partner who also won on DWCS earlier this year hopes 6-0 will be enough experience for the UFC to bring him on board.
  • A training partner of the likes of Islam Makhachev, Daniel Cormier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and others, this American lightweight has had many ups and a few downs but thinks it’s finally his time.
  • A relative unknown from Alabama who burst onto the radar with an 11-second win earlier this year in CFFC hopes winning the promotion’s title will be the stepping stone to a UFC or Bellator opportunity.
  • A lifelong martial artist, this French-Canadian angles to keep the success of legendary Tristar gym alive and well with an eye-popping, phone call-earning performance.