Modern World Of MMA
The landscape of mixed martial arts has been altered drastically since the introduction of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. Alongside it’s role as an intriguing piece of dramatic content in the UFC‘s extensive media portfolio, the reality show now serves as the primary pathway for fighters to graduate from the regional scene into the world’s leading promotion.
The expansion of the UFC’s roster (now made up of over 700 fighters) and the need to fill fight cards on an almost-weekly basis has increased the demand for exciting talent.
Whereas once the tried and tested path toward the big show may have been to win belts in other organizations and prove yourself to be one of the best fighters in the world outside of the UFC, nowadays we see fighters making the breakthrough earlier in their careers via the likes of DWCS and The Ultimate Fighter.
Whispers have been emerging over the past couple of years that Mick Maynard and co have been placing more emphasis on prospective signings having unbeaten records and a proven track record of finishing fights. It has quickly become clear that they are looking less at breaking the bank to hoover up the best talent out there, instead aiming to get their hands on new fighters earlier in their careers.
The Yellow Gloves
This change in the UFC’s approach has had a knock-on effect on it’s feeder organisations around the world. Take Cage Warriors as an example. The UK-based organisation has a rich history of producing champions who went on to shine in the UFC. The likes of Michael Bisping, Dan Hardy, Paddy Pimblett and Conor McGregor have won Cage Warriors belts before going on to further their legacies inside the Octagon.
With well over 100 Cage Warriors fighters having moved onto the UFC (a huge amount of those having been champions within the promotion), for many years success in the famous yellow gloves was seen as the most viable way for European fighters to get the attention of Dana White and the men who matter at UFC HQ.
In this modern DWCS era however, it appears that fighters on impressive winning runs in such promotions may find opportunity knocking on their door before a title shot comes their way.
Lone’er Kavanagh is one example of a prospect who has benefitted from the UFC’s new policy. Sitting at 6-0 following his victory over Shawn Marcos da Silva at Cage Warriors 169 in March, Kavanagh looked to be next in line to take a crack at flyweight champion Shaj Haque. In an intriguing turn of events however, he appeared on DWCS in August against fellow unbeaten prospect An Tuan Ho, and a spectacular left hook knockout in the opening round rubber-stamped his name on a UFC contract.
Winning Streak
Solomon Simon may soon find himself in the same territory as Kavanagh did a few months ago. “King” improved to 5-0 (with five finishes) on Saturday evening with a submission victory over Walter Cogliandro at Cage Warriors 179 in Rome. The Irish fighter has won all four of his fights within the promotion and has his eyes firmly set on the Cage Warriors featherweight title.
“We’ll get that strap next year” Simon said last week in advance of the Cogliandro fight, “and after that we’ll see what’s up. I’ll get this fight out of the way to wrap up this year, then after that just give me the names that are going to get me to that belt”.
After an impressive TKO victory over Dorian Cliucinicov in his promotional debut in April 2023, Simon has rattled off a hat-trick of submission wins over Marko Sarasjarvi, Ieuan Mackenzie and now Cogliandro. Interestingly, all three finishes have come in the dying seconds of the third and final round.
🤯 Solomon Simon with a submission out of NOWHERE in the final seconds of the fight. That's what you call a buzzer beater 👏👏👏
What a performance and a huge win for the young featherweight 🇮🇪
📺 Watch #CW179 live on @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/tISvtxVT52
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) November 2, 2024
His Italian opponent on Saturday had more professional fights under his belt than all of Simon’s previous opponents combined and had previously competed in organisations such as Bellator, Brave CF and UAE Warriors. The step up in competition mattered little, however, as Simon dictated the flow of the fight from the opening bell and dominated Cogliandro in every exchange.
In previous years a fighter at such an early point in their professional career may have been looked upon as far too inexperienced to even think about a future inside the Octagon, but given the changes to the UFC’s recruitment process over the past few years it is becoming apparent that a fighter like Solomon Simon ticks a lot of the boxes that the UFC matchmakers have on their checklist.
Unbeaten in the professional ranks, the ability to finish any opponent that is placed in front of him and (in what seems to be a massive point of consideration for the UFC these days) early enough in his career that his services won’t cost as arm and a leg.
At 29-years-old and on an impressive upward trajectory in his career, the time is now for Solomon Simon to make his dreams come true. If he manages to continue his exceptional form over his next one or two fights, it looks very likely that he will either realise his short term ambition of competing for Cage Warriors gold or sitting at the front of the queue when season 9 of DWCS rolls around in mid-2025.
