Could this be the new face of UFC talent development? For years, the world’s largest MMA promotion has taken something of a catch as catch can approach to finding new fighters. Whether it’s poaching champs from other smaller organizations, targeting talent on the rise from notable camps, depending on managers to curate prospects, or holding try-out shows like the Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series, most athletes only tend to get to the UFC after proving themselves to the promotion in other arenas.
On occasion the UFC has also run talent development programs like their ‘combine’ events to identify potential fighters to watch for the future.