James Nakashima
The UFC is always looking to sign the best fighters in the world, and because of that there are always prospects looking to get into the world’s premiere MMA organization. However, that doesn’t mean everyone will get there in 2019. I have compiled a list of fighters that I think will make it to the big show this year, and I truly hope that they all get there eventually.
James Nakashima may not be known to the average MMA fan, but he has certainly made a strong case for the UFC. He is an undefeated fighter at 10-0, has held the LFA Welterweight title, and made his ONE Championship debut last year. With ONE and the UFC working together and making trade deals, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nakashima get signed this year, and I think that he has more than earned it.
Nate Andrews
Nate Andrews is a fighter that has been UFC caliber for a long time, and it is a shame that he is still having to work his way into the promotion. Already 34 years old, Andrews boasts a 15-1 record, with all of his wins coming by finish. He currently holds the CES Lightweight title, and while it may be too late in his career to mix up the UFC rankings, I still think we could see him in the promotion.
Brendan Allen
While Brendan Allen has a subpar 10-3 record, he has only ever lost to UFC fighters. Another interesting fact is that the UFC has signed every single LFA champion aside from Allen, so he is undoubtedly on their radar. If he defends his title later this year, then I think we will see him go straight into a UFC fight.
Mo De’Reese
Mo De’Reese gained a bit of fame when his knockout in his PFL debut went viral, and that was just a taste of what this man can do. With a 7-0 record, De’Reese has a record that the UFC would likely be interested in. Sadly, he lost a bid to get on The Ultimate Fighterwhich might have given him better recognition. It is more like that Mo will try to win the PFL Heavyweight tournament this year, but if he manages to accomplish that, then we may just see him in the UFC right after.
Fabian Edwards
Fabian Edwards is another undefeated fighter at 5-0, but I think it is his relationship with UFC fighter and older brother Leon Edwards that might grant him entrance to the UFC. We have seen many brothers enter the promotion together, and with Edwards looking good in his career so far, I think that he might make it into the UFC eventually. Edwards makes his Bellator debut this month, and if he can remain undefeated after his contract is up, he will likely get signed up the ladder.
Miles Johns
I’m not sure if anyone can be on the UFC radar more than the 8-0 LFA Bantamweight champion. Miles Johns has looked unbeatable in his career, and competing in a weight class that the UFC desperately needs new blood in will likely help his chances in getting signed. Johns is a fighter that fans have been wanting to see in the big show for a while now, and I would love to see it finally happen.
Austin Hubbard
Much like Brendan Allen, Hubbard doesn’t have the best record at 10-2, but he is still an excellent champion. Hubbard knocked out perhaps the fastest rising star in MMA late last year with his victory over Killys Mota, and since then his stock has gone way up. Everyone is wondering just how good Hubbard could be at 27 years old, and the only way to know is to sign him to the UFC.
Josh Parisian
Josh Parisian is someone who looked like a world beater until he made his way onto The Ultimate Fighter, and lost to former Olympian and current UFC fighter Michel Batista. However, he is still on Dana White’s mind, and has a title fight lined up this month. If Parisian manages to win a title, then he will likely get another fight on Dana White’s Contender Series, and will probably get signed with a win for that promotion.
Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison is not only an impressive MMA fighter at 3-0, but she is also an Olympic gold medalist in judo, and could very well be the next Ronda Rousey. However, the PFL has created an entire tournament of women for Harrison to fight this year, and she might not ever leave the organization once she inevitably runs the tournament. An ideal situation would be for her to win the PFL tournament, sign to the UFC, and drop down to Featherweight to fight either Amanda Nunes or Cris Cyborg, but we’ll have to see!
Chris Curtis
Chris Curtis made a huge splash with a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series last year – but sadly wasn’t awarded a contract. Since then Curtis has retired, gone on several tirades against the UFC and Dana White, and has done his best to try to talk his way into a contract. While that isn’t the way to go about things, I think that the hype surrounding him is enough to get him signed.