After UFC Berlin watching the UK fighters on the card go 0-3, I was wondering what was happening with UK MMA. There are a few UK guys on the roster, but I can't really see many of them hanging it out even in the top 15, minus Pickett and maybe one or two others. But then I actually had a think of the UK fighters on the local/european circuit that UFC haven't signed that I thought would make great additions... Danny Roberts (11-1 welterweight) recently knocked out UK veteran Jimmy Wallhead in round 1, the first time he'd been properly knocked out in 34 fights. Plus he has finished 9 of his 11 wins. Scott Askham (11-0 middleweight) who has finished 8 of his 11 opponents. No UFC caliber opponents but I dont really see what some of these fighters have to do on the local circuit anymore Arnoal Allen (7-0 featherweight) finished 6 of his 7 opponents, he's only 20 but looks like a top prospect. Mike Wootten (7-0 bantamweight) finished 6 of his 7 opponents. He was on season 18 of TUF, admittedly didn't have the best showing but lost to winner Chris Holdworth. We saw Chris Beal get a chance after the show but not Wootten. Tom Breese (6-0 welterweight) finished all 6 of his opponents and looks like another top prospect. I see UFC bringing in some questionable fighters at times. I can't help but think the UK scene would expand more so with fighters like these on the roster. I think there are too many gyms in the UK, the talent could properly be really refined otherwise.
i feel they will raid cage warriors soon. Chi Lewis Parry is one of uk top prospects and was offered a ufc contract, but he went with One Fc instead. I think uk's best talent is at 170 and lower. Mw has 1 or 2, lhw is pretty much done. Hw is pretty dead(You guy's will shit yourself when you see who some sited have as their number 1 HW) Cage warriors better be locking their top guys in contracts here pretty soon
How about they sign the best fighters regardless of where they grew up, not any random fighter just because they're from the UK. You sound like an ethnocentric pig.
I agree with you but I'm just elaborating on the lack of UK fighters. Whether there are too many gyms, if the competition on the local circuit doesn't compare. Of course I am happy to see the best fighters from around the world compete under the UFC, but I dont think it makes me ethnocentric for discussing this topic.
As said, they'll sack Cage Warriors again (Kampmann, Mousasi, Hardy, Bisping, Seery, Bigfoot Silva, McGregor, Pendred, Sexton were all champs there) the org always develops good fighters and is based on Unified Rules in an octagonal cage, so no much of a difference if compared to the american standards ... and they don't use stricted contracts, they lost most of the champs and right now with 13 divisions they've only the WW champ Nicolas Dalby, all the others went to UFC, M-1 Global, ... about UK fighters, there's also the fact that a lot of talents developed in Cage Warriors aren't of brit nationality ... also, there r other good promos like BAMMA and UCMMA that have good fighters too
Until MMA becomes more mainstream and isn't frowned upon as much here, then we won't get good athletes switching sports from Judo etc and we'll be stuck with the guys picking it up in their 20s. I am optimistic though as I know at least two of the National team are fans of MMA.
They sound like good prospects, but the UFC can afford to wait for all of those fighters to prove themselves in other organizations. Or, when the UFC see's a decent buildup of talent in the UK, they'll schedule another season of TUF over there.
It wouldn't suprise me if they did a UK/Ireland TUF at some point. Especially with the recent rise of Irish mma in the UFC.
Exactly. Phil Harris was woeful in the UFC, he was ditched then signed back up for the Dublin card. Why not bring a newcomer in like Menga who is 11-0.
Funny thing is, Bellator have three of the UK's best fighters Rob Sinclair , Liam McGeary and Michael Page.
Danny Roberts to me is the most interesting fighter on the list. He's at this weird point in his career where he still has some major holes but he's at that point where there's not much left for him to prove on the regional circuit.
I was expecting him to get the call up after knocking out Jimmy Wallhead. Next Gen seem to have some decent guys on the come up.
