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, 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.
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A proud representative of Mongolia has two belts for UFC Fight Pass promotions and hopes his first CFFC title defense will propel him to the big show.
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One of the best regional flyweights in North America continues his evolution and crosses his fingers the UFC takes a liking.
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An action-forward Canadian thinks it’s just a matter of time until the UFC call comes – and this could be the one.
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Highly-touted on the Texas regional scene, an undefeated welterweight aims to show off his abilities in the international spotlight soon.
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A Kevin Holland protege, an exciting flyweight fighter promises to impress the UFC matchmakers in his first LFA main event.
Badmatsyren Dorzhiev
Record: 8-0
Age: 29
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’7″
Birthplace: Budalan, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia
Next Fight: Friday vs. Israel Galvan (6-3) at CFFC 130 in Tampa, Fla. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Born in Russia, in a small village near the borders of Mongolia and China, Badmatsyren Dorzhiev trained martial arts beginning at age 11. It began with freestyle wrestling but striking was thrown into the mix shortly thereafter. In his early 20s, Dorzhiev set his sights fully on MMA. Dorzhiev racked up win after win including a victory in Brave CF before he got his first U.S. regional title shot. Dorzhiev clinched Anthony Pettis FC gold with a first-round body shot before he added a CFFC title to his collection in July.
The skinny: It’s hard enough for fighters to claim one UFC Fight Pass-level regional title, never mind two, but that’s what Dorzhiev has done. His work ethic, likely rooted in his humble beginnings, is evident as his rate of improvement is much higher than the average prospect. A guy who went all-in on himself, showing what’s possible with hard work, Dorzhiev is a perfect example of a blue collar fighter. Should he defend his title for CFFC, he seems like a layup for Dana White’s Contender Series – or a direct ticket to the UFC.
In his own words: “My people (the Buryat-Mongolian people) were a part of Mongolia long ago. It so happens that our region ended up as a part of Russia. My ancestors are Mongolian and my people have Mongolian blood, so I feel a deeper connection to Mongolia than I do to Russia. As a result, I represent Mongolia when I fight.”
“… My fights and my results speak for themselves. They alone show that I stick out and that I excel above other fighters trying to get into the UFC. For people that haven’t seen me fight, I am very technical on the feet, am very fast, and have smooth and strong wrestling. I am a high-pace, high-pressure fighter and smother my opponents. I like to think of myself as a Max Holloway on the feet with strong Russian wrestling.”
“… I think that the UFC needs to sign me. After UFC Mexico (recently), it is clear that the flyweight division is in dire need of a new face, new style, and new competition. There are also flyweights that currently hold losing records, like 0-5 in the UFC. My level is higher than these guys. Level-wise I think I am currently in the top 15 of the UFC flyweight division. There is no doubt in my mind that I will soon be in the top 5 and contending for the belt.”
Paris Moran
Record: 9-2
Age: 28
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’8″
Birthplace: U.S.
Next Fight: Friday vs. Shameek Harvey (7-1) at Fury FC 87 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: Paris Moran is 28, but his journey in combat sports is already two decades long. At 6, his father put him taekwondo. He hated it – as he did most sports. And like other sports, taekwondo was not an athletic activity he excelled in. In 2007, along came jiu-jitsu, and eventually things changed. For the first time, the long-haired gamer found the sport that pulled him out of his shell. His parents divorced, and Paris found jiu-jitsu classes as the perfect father-son bonding opportunity – an added bonus. Two years of jiu-jitsu later, Moran joined high school wrestling. Then came striking. His striking took off. He became a seven-time national champion in sanshou karate (wushu). Next scene, Moran was competing in Russia, China, Costa Rica, Taiwan – you name it. A national champion had become Mr. Worldwide.
The skinny: Moran built up a pretty impressive resume before he was matched up with Joshua Van in 2022. In a fight that seemed like a sure-thing big-league tryout of sorts, Moran was finished by the youngster Van. Months later, Van was signed to the UFC. But Moran had to go back to the drawing board. It was a crushing loss in the days that followed, but Moran got back on the horse. He quit his job and went full-time into MMA. It’s his sole focus now. The lifestyle change led to confidence and improvements. Moran also added weekly sessions at Yves Edwards, training alongside UFC flyweight contender Matt Schnell, Adrian Yanez, Raufeon Stots and others. And look at where Van is now: In the UFC with three wins under his belt. Many think Van will be a UFC contender, so the loss has aged well. Since it, Moran is 2-0. Always in need of flyweights, Moran should be on the UFC call-up list or a shoo-in for Dana White’s Contender Series with another win.
In his own words: “If you look at my resume, it’s always tough people that I fought. The good thing about this camp is that I have nothing else in life outside of camp to really distract me. The last fight, the title fight, I just felt the odds were against me, not in the sense of technical-wise, but I was just being challenged with outside life and things going on. I’ve been able to make those changes and adjustments to make sure I have a much more smoother camp.”
“… 2024 for me, is about getting to the UFC and getting paid. That’s what it’s really about. I’m trying to have my breakthrough year and have stellar performances and get the money I’m deserved. … (Getting to the UFC) means everything to me and for my family – for my girlfriend, for my mom, for my dad. It’s a better life for everybody around me. I just need to get the money and get paid. That’s what literally drives me. It’s not going to weigh too heavily on me. I’m not going to put too much pressure on me. I know if I perform to my ability and strive for excellence that the money is going to come.”
Tom O’Connor
Kody Steele
Kevin Fernandez
