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

Mansher Khera

Record: 8-0Age: 32Height: 5’10”Weight: LightweightBirthplace: New YorkNext fight: Nov. 3 def. Devon Dixon (7-2-1) by TKO – Round 2 at Fury FC 98 in Houston (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: Born on Long Island, Mansher Khera at a young age moved to India, where his parents were born. He went to boarding school, which he compares to an “army school,” which he now credits his work ethic to. Khera moved back to the States at age 13. Needing an outlet for his energy, Khera wanted to get into MMA from the start. But grappling was where he was most successful early on, so his skills ultimately funneled him down that route and eventually landed him in the training room under Marcelo Garcia. After competing in ADCC in 2017, Khera pivoted fully to his initial passion of MMA. He picked up boxing and kickboxing right before COVID. Since turning pro, Khera has torn through the competition as he’s evolved his standup. Khera has seven finishes in eight appearances, competing for Fury FC, CFFC, iKON Fighting and Anthony Pettis FC.

In his own words: “I had a meeting with Sean Shelby after my last fight and I was hoping for a shot at Contender Series at the time. I think the meeting went well, but what I took away from it is that he has a lot more applicants that he has to go through. He told me, ‘Just stay active. Stay busy. You don’t even have to take the toughest fights. Just stay busy.’ But I feel like I did extra credit here. I fought for the belt against another guy who was doing well.”

“… I’m at a point in my life where I want to finish my career in the UFC. I’m going to give it my all and I believe when it comes to grappling, I’m definitely levels ahead of 99 percent of my division. I feel pretty comfortable. The striking is where I have to make that jump and I feel like I’ll still hand with most of those guys. I feel like every fight I’m fighting I’m getting better. I’m not staying the same. … My dream is simple: I want to become UFC champ and I’m putting everything toward that.”

Jhon Tacha

Record: 12-2Age: 28Weight class: BantamweightHeight: 5’10”Birthplace: Bogata, ColombiaNext Fight: Nov. 22 vs. Vinicius Pires (9-1) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: There have only been three Colombia-born fighters in UFC history, and budding Colombian Jhon Tacha is lucky enough to have brushed shoulders with one, Fredy Serrano, who he calls his “sports father,” early on in his career. As the Colombian regional scene continues to develop, so has Tacha’s skills. He’s taken on every challenge available and has spent time training under coach Eric Albarracin and alongside the Pitbull Brothers in Brazil. In 12 pro wins, Tacha has eight finishes including seven knockouts and one submission.

In his own words: “Physically, I feel like I’ve been working my life whole life for this opportunity. Working in the mountains and building my endurance in the altitude, I’m top level. Mentally, I’m sharp. I’ve drawn great experience with my mentor formerly of the UFC, an advantage above most other Latin Americans and South Americans. I feel I can handle the move to the next level easily. That’s a major advantage for me.”

“… I’ve always wanted to be in the UFC. It’s my biggest dream. But to not only be in the UFC, I want to be in the UFC, get in the top 10, fight for a title, and represent Colombia. I’m just not happy with simply getting here. It would be a big honor and dream to represent my country in being the fourth UFC fighter from Colombia, but I don’t want to just get in. I want to win.”

This interview was conducted through a Spanish-language translator.

Mitchell McKee

Record: 7-0Age: 26Height: 5’7″Weight: BantamweightBirthplace: Saint Michael, Minn.Next fight: Nov. 22 vs. Hector Ferral (8-2) at BORROKA 1 in Las Vegas (Spectation Sports)

The skinny: Born and raisef in Minnesota, it’s no surprise Mitchell McKee fell 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 7-0 record including five 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.”

George Mangos

Record: 5-0Age: 21Height: 5’10”Weight: FeatherweightBirthplace: AustraliaNext fight: Nov. 23 vs. Shoichi Tomita (10-2) at HEX Fight Series 33 in Melbourne, Australia (Internet PPV)

The skinny: Thirteen years ago, an 8-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 15. At 16, he 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 start, 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.

“… 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.”

Keweny Lopes

Record: 11-1-1Age: 29Height: 5’7″Weight: LightweightBirthplace: Hortolandia, Sao Paulo, BrazilNext fight: Nov. 23 vs. Harry Hardwick (11-3-1) at Cage Warriors 181 in Newcastle, United Kingdom (UFC Fight Pass)

The skinny: Keweny Lopes began jiu-jitsu at a young age and before long headed down the MMA path with the intent of changing his family’s life. Nine years after his professional debut, Lopes is on the cusp of doing just that. After an 0-1-1 start, he’s won 10-straight fights with eight finishes including seven knockouts/TKOs and one submission. Lopes won the Jungle Strike Championship welterweight title in January with a fourth-round TKO of previously unbeaten Mathias Poiron. In August, he made his mainstream debut and showed off his heavy hands when he knocked Wellington Prado silly in under two minutes. Now, he’ll contender for a Cage Warriors title vs. Harry Hardwick – a high-profile regional battle.

In his own words: “(What makes me different is) the way I fight. I am a real fighter. I am aggressive, I search for the win at all times. I fight like a real fighter should. … I have the potential to fight any featherweight in the division; my numbers don’t lie. I train at the place where Jose Aldo was built. I know where I can get and that’s where I’m aiming. … My presence will certainly always be noticeable. I am sure I will be a fan favorite. … I am grateful for those who follow my work and happy to provide true MMA. And I love doing it.”

This interview was conducted through a Portuguese-language translator.

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

• Dakota Bush (14-4) – Nov. 1 def. Scottie Stockman (10-5) at Nemesis Fighting Alliance 19 in St. Louis (Internet PPV)

• Juan Diaz (13-1-1) – Nov. 1 def. Jose Roura (8-4) at Lux Fight League 47 in Mexico City, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass)

• Stefano Paterno (19-4-1) – Nov. 2 def. Jorge Bueno (10-6) via knockout – Round 2 at Cage Warriors 179 in Rome, Italy (UFC Fight Pass)

• Christian Natividad (6-0) – Nov. 8 def. Devon Jackson (3-3) via unanimous decision at LFA 196 in Phoenix (UFC Fight Pass)

• Kasey Tanner (8-1) – Nov. 8 def. Micaias Urena (9-3) via unanimous decision at LFA 196 in Phoenix (UFC Fight Pass)

• Manuel Esposito (12-2) – Nov. 8 vs. Kevin Moreyra (10-3) at Budo Sento Championship 26 in Mexico City, Mexico

• Yuri Panferov (8-1) – Nov. 9 def. Khadzhimurat Bestaev (11-7) via TKO – Round 3 at CES MMA 79 in Ledyard, Conn. (Internet PPV)

• Gary Balletto Jr. (10-3) – Nov. 9 def. Bruno Quintanilha (5-4) via TKO – Round 2 at CES MMA 79 in Ledyard, Conn. (Internet PPV)

• Kris Moutinho (14-6) – Nov. 9 def. Johnny Campbell (22-17) at Cage Titans 68 in Plymouth, Mass. (Spectation Sports)

• Antonio Cesar (10-2) – Nov. 15 def. Willians Nogueira (6-3) via split decision at R1 Fighting Series 4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Nick Maximov (10-2) – Nov. 15 def. Kevem Felipe (10-7) via unanimous decision at Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 25 in Wheatland, Calif. (UFC Fight Pass)

• Jonathan Kunneman (8-0) – Nov. 16 def. Charlie Kennedy via submission at MPX Promotions in Belcourt, N.D.

• Tom Theocharis (10-5) – Nov. 16 def. Tristyn DeHart (5-7) at MPX Promotions in Belcourt, N.D.

• Evan Cutts (18-7) – Nov. 16 def. Jeffrey Craig (5-3) via unanimous decision at Peak Fighting 40 in Alexandria, Louisiana (Internet PPV)

• Vinicius Pires (9-1) – Friday vs. Jhon Tacha (12-2) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Marcio Barbosa (15-2) – Friday vs. Felipe Oliveira (10-3) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Samuel Dias (10-2) – Friday vs. Samuel Silva (12-4-1) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Richard Martins (8-1) – Friday vs. Lucas Batista (7-1) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Marcelo Marques (10-0) – Friday vs. Luann Sardinha (8-0) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Juan Pablo Vieira (7-0) – Friday vs. Maycon Kevin (5-0) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Felipe Oliveira (10-3) – Friday vs. Marcio Barbosa (15-2) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Michael Oliveira (7-0) – Friday vs. Aldo Pereira (11-7-2) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Yasmin Guimaraes (8-1) – Friday vs. Natasha Kuziutina (6-1) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Natasha Kuziutina (6-1) – Friday vs. Yasmin Guimaraes (8-1) at LFA 197 in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil (UFC Fight Pass)

• Israel Galvan (7-3) – Friday vs. Cee Jay Hamilton (16-9) at BORROKA 1 in Las Vegas (Spectation Sports)

• Amin Ayoub (21-5) – Saturday vs. Estabili Amato (13-7) at ARES FC 27 in Marseille, France (UFC Fight Pass)

• Kennedy Freeman (5-0) – Saturday vs. Mafalda Carmona (7-2) at Cage Warriors 181 in Newcastle, United Kingdom (UFC Fight Pass)

• Harry Hardwick (11-3-1) – Saturday vs. Keweny Lopes (11-1-1) at Cage Warriors 181 in Newcastle, United Kingdom (UFC Fight Pass)

• Jorge Calvo (18-6) – Nov. 29 vs. Kike Gonzalez (12-4) at Lux Fight League 48 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass)

• Edgar Delgado (14-6) – Nov. 29 vs. Alejandro Corrales (7-2) at Lux Fight League 48 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass)

• Thomas Gantt (7-0) – Nov. 30 vs. Josh Henry at North Iowa Fights 20 in Waterloo, Iowa

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