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

Every champion in MMA history started 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, 10 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 5 are particularly exemplary.

Jamie Siraj

Record: 11-2Age: 30Height: 5'8"Weight: LightweightBirthplace: CanadaNext fight: Sept. 6 def. David Briones (4-6) via unanimous decision at BFL 81 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny:  Jamie Siraj needed an outlet away from a “rough" home life. That’s when he joined Revolution Martial Arts. Former UFC fighter Kajan Johnson, who served as one of the head coaches. Siraj had his first fight at age 15 and was immediately hooked. After a 7-2 amateur career, Siraj turned pro in 2014. Since a 3-2 start, Siraj hasn’t lost. In 2019, Siraj was on the doorstep for a UFC call, aligned for Dana White’s Contender Series. However, Siraj fell ill and doctors didn't know why. After a long, grueling period of his body failing, Siraj was diagnosed with hyper IGE Syndrome, an immunodeficiency disorder. It rendered him largely unable to function, septic, and near death. Through treatment, Siraj is now back to a largely normal life. In June 2023, for the first time in four years, Siraj fought and won for Battlefield Fight League. He was offered a spot on “The Ultimate Fighter 32,” but was one of the final cuts from the roster – a move that surprised him, considering he flew all the way out to Las Vegas. In May, he finished then-8-1 Tariel Abbasov by submission. In September, he defeated David Briones by unanimous decision.

In his own words: "I think this fight was 10 days notice or something like that. I was actually joking, but it was kind of how I felt. I was like, 'Well, I'm not doing anything else that weekend, so I might as well. I have been training.' After my last fight, I was just a little mentally burnt out from not getting a call to the Contender Series. I was just like, 'Man, am I ever going to get in the UFC? Holy f*ck this just feels like I have to physically kill someone in a ring for them want to sign me.' ... Then, I took the fight on short notice, just for the f*ck of it. Thank God it all worked out and paid off, but it wasn't my favorite performance of my career.

"... There's no 145 fights on the card. But I've been working slowly on getting back down to 135, so if that way there is a short-notice pullout, I can jump in at 135. Unfortunately, there's no fights at my division. But yeah, if that's my opportunity to jump in at 135, then that's kind of where my mindset is at being able to jump in and make weight at 135. I know there are quite a few 135ers on the card. A lot of them are kind of entry level guys, guys you'd be getting on your first fight or two in the UFC. I kind of have my eye on everyone that's at 135 from top to bottom. There's a lot of good 135 matchups. Physically, when I was at 135, I just felt so much stronger and so much faster and bigger than everyone. So if I can make that division again and make weight, yeah I feel like I'd be such a problem at 135, too."

George Mangos

Record: 5-0Age: 21Height: 5'10"Weight: FeatherweightBirthplace: AustraliaNext fight: Sept. 7 def. Jarrett Wilbraham (8-3) via submission at HEX Fight Series 32 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Internet PPV)

The skinny: Thirteen years ago, an eight-year-old George Mangos began his MMA journey. He split time between MMA and soccer for about five years, competing in jiu-jitsu competitions. At 13, Mangos went full time into MMA. When a fight opportunity came along, Mangos picked up his first win – at age 15. At 16, changed gyms to Lions Den Acadamy under coach Luke Pezzutti. COVID delayed Mangos' return, as it took three years for him to get back in the cage. Mangos made an impact upon his return, winning five more amateur fights and multiple titles before turning pro in March 2023. Over the course of five fights, Mangos, now 21, has established himself as the consensus best featherweight in the region – and unbelievable feat. After a 3-0 star, he flying triangled Justin van Heerden, one of the region's best pound-for-pound fighters to win HEX Fight Series gold. He defended it successfully Sept. 7 when he submitted Jarrett Wilbraham.

In his own words: "Because I started so young, when I'm fighting, I'm not thinking. I'm just going through the motions, since I've done it for so long. It's second nature, fighting to me. I think that helps a lot. I'm just super competitive. I hate losing at anything. ... People say they are born to fight, that's just how I am to be honest. I didn't do any different training to anyone. ... I have some friends who I met when I first started. I did everything the same as them. But I feel like everything clicks easier for me. I feel like it's just something I'm naturally good at.

"... I think I'm just going to keep fighting until I get a call, maybe something in November and defend my belt. At that point, I'll be 6-0 with six finishes. I think that's plenty to get into the UFC. If I don't get signed up early for a replacement or something for a UFC in Sydney, then I'll probably get another fight between Contender Series. I'd love to get on that UFC Sydney. ... I think I'm ready to get in there with the entry level of the UFC and make some waves and get some highlights... and then break into the top 15 within a couple years."

Luis Gurule

Record: 8-0Age: 30Height: 5'5"Weight: FlyweightBirthplace: U.S.Next fight: Sept. 22 vs. Jacob Silva (11-10) at Fury FC 96 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: After his wrestling career at Adams State University (Colo.) concluded, Luis Gurule worked as a geologist, but was still hungry for athletics. Gurule looked into jiu-jitsu and stumbled across Factory X. Before long, he was out-grappling some of the athletes in the room. Fighting was on his mind since the early days of “The Ultimate Fighter” and Gurule realized it was time to give it a shot. In mid-2021, Gurule began full-on MMA training. In September 2021, he debuted as an amateur. He went 2-0 and then turned professional in June 2022. In his first 16 months as a pro, Gurule went 7-0. He moved to 8-0 in April against gritty regional vet Alberto Trujillo. The UFC has knocked a couple of times for short-notice opportunities, but logistics didn't pan out. Gurule is already established as one of North America's best 125-pounders. If he moves to 9-0, he'll strengthen that argument even more. No longer with Factory X, Gurule is working out of UFC GYM Lone Tree alongside Brandon Royval and Alexander Hernandez for this fight.

In his own words: "If I beat Jacob Silva and go back to getting TKOs or subs, I'll take whatever I can get. Especially if I finish him, I think short-notice UFC calls are right there. Even if I don't finish him, maybe I'll get on Contender Series. ... I think I'm really going to be able to show off my nonstop pressure this fight and my willingness to always go for that finish or TKO. Whether it's on the ground or the feet, I feel like defensively, I'm going to be a really hard look for Jacob Silva to get anything off on. I think he has that huge overhand right and good leg kicks, but I feel like I'll be able to nullify that with the pressure. I'll be able to grind him down and end up getting that finish."

Luke Riley

Record: 9-0Age: 25Height: 5'9"Weight: FeatherweightBirthplace: EnglandNext fight: Sept. 21 vs. Alexandre Junior (6-2) at Cage Warriors 178 in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: For Luke Riley, the priority has always been fighting. It's been above school. It's been above a fallback career. It's been everything. Since nine years old, Riley has trained. It started with Thai boxing, then amateur boxing, then MMA. He frequented trips to Thailand to improve his skills while his classmates studied for exams. Eventually, he found Next Generation MMA, where he met a friend and mentor, Paddy Pimblett. Riley is now on a similar rise, making noise in Europe through Cage Warriors. After seven finishes in his first nine professional fights (all wins), Riley earned a spot on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024. However, visa issues forced him out of the bout.

In his own words: "Taking the good from the bad, obviously, the Contender Series, getting that back can only give me more time to get back in the gym and work on the stuff I'm not the best at, I haven't worked on, I've slacked a bit on. … Today, I could step in the octagon against anyone in the 145-pound division and win. Mate, I'm willing to fcking fight anyone. I believe I would beat anyone. I wouldn't be in this sport to be f*cking having a 9-5."

"... I'm just looking to put a statement on, mate, basically. I want to make a statement to the UFC. I feel like I'm on the radar already. But after the performance I'm going to put on, they're going to be like 'F*cking hell. Let's sign this kid. I don't know what we were thinking putting him on the Contender. This Luke, we need to sign him ASAP.' That's the type of performance I'm looking to put on."

Mitchell McKee

Record: 6-0Age: 26Height: 5'7"Weight: BantamweightBirthplace: Saint Michael, Minn.Next fight: Sept. 20 vs. Ashton Caniglia (8-6) at LFA 193 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: Born and bred in Minnesota, it's no surprise Mitchell McKee would fall in love with wrestling. The passion with the sport was emboldened following the death of his father, as wrestling kept him and his younger brother focused on the straight and narrow. Having to grow up faster than most kids, McKee excelled athletically and wrestled at University of Minnesota. After he wrestled in the Olympic Trials in 2021, McKee became closer with Logan Storley, who he knew since high school. Storley invited him to South Florida and Kill Cliff FC. McKee and his wife eventually moved to South Florida so he could train. The sacrifice has paid off, as McKee has emerged as budding young star with a perfect 6-0 record including four TKOs. With a good head on his shoulders, McKee has been obsessed with improving his striking and it continues to come along as he moves toward the UFC.

In his own words: "I definitely feel when I go out there I'm always ready to compete at the highest level, no matter what is going on. Just because of all the big wrestling matches I've been in in my life, I've learned how to go out there and compete regardless of how good or bad my camp was. ... You've still just got to go out there and compete. My dad passed away when I was in high school. I had a little brother and I felt like we had to be tough and persevere. We did a great job of that, my brother and I. That's perseverance and that heart is what I bring into the cage and no matter what happens inside that cage, I could be losing two rounds to zero and I'm going to try to go out there and try to get the finish and win."

"... I feel like the last three years have been just focusing on getting better in every area. I would say probably this last year, I'd feel like I'm finally putting everything together. It's so hard when there are these giant holes in your game like striking and jiu-jitsu. ... It's hard right away because you've got to really put time into each one of those individually. At the same time, you've got to try to put everything together as one in MMA. ... I can definitely see the UFC in my near future."

Fighters worth watching who didn’t crack the list, yet are on the verge of something big:

• Radley da Silva (6-1) – Sept. 6 def. Drake Randall (6-1) via knockout (spinning wheel kick) at BFL 81 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (UFC Fight Pass)

• Cheyanne Bowers (4-1) – Friday vs. Veronika Borisova (6-0) a LFA 193 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)

• Veronika Borisova (6-0) – Friday vs. Cheyanne Bowers (4-1) a LFA 193 in Prior Lake, Minn. (UFC Fight Pass)

• Carlos Petruzzella (12-0) – Saturday vs. Jorge Bueno (10-5) at SFT 51 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

• Rodrigo Vera (18-1-1) – Sept. 25 vs. Arivaldo Lima da Silva (19-11) at FFC 81 in Lima, Peru

• Bilal Hasan (4-0) – Sept. 27 vs. Harris Bonfiglio (7-1) at CFFC 136 in New Town, N.D. (UFC Fight Pass)

• Joao Pedro Saldanha (12-3) – Sept. 28 vs. Tiago Pereira (7-0) at Jungle Fight 130 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

• Tiago Pereira (7-0) – Sept. 28 vs. Joao Pedro Saldanha (12-3) at Jungle Fight 130 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

• Victor Costa (7-1) – Sept. 28 vs. Antonio Marco Guimares (4-3) at Jungle Fight 130 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make UFC with September wins