UFC Manchester: Five Prospects The UFC Could Sign (Patreon)

The UFC is going back to England, this time in Manchester for UFC 304. It's a big card headlined by England's own welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. He's making his second title defense against the number one contender Belal Muhammad who is riding a nine-fight win streak. In the co-main, it's Engalds Tom Aspinall defending his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes. Also on the card is Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, and others. With still some fights to fill the card it would be a shame if we didn't see a few debuts from some of the rising stars. Here are five you could possibly see on the card.

Featherweight, Luke Riley (9-0):
It would be a real shame if Riley isn't on this card. Riley is from England and he trains with the likes of Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett who are on this card. Riley has never lost a fight between his pro and amateur career, being 13-0 combined. Riley is one of the most exciting prospects not only out of the UK but the world. He's a must-watch every time he fights as he's incapable of being in a boring fight. He'd be a fan favorite off the rip and brings a lot of eyes from the UK coming into the promotion.

Featherweight, Jordan Vucenic (12-2):
Vucenic is probably the most established England-based fighter outside of big promotion. He's a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion. Even though Vucenic lost the rematch he is the only one to have ever beaten Paul Hughes as a pro. He's won his last three fights finishing all three inside two rounds. Of everyone on this list, Vucenic is the most deserving of an opportunity.

Welterweight, Felix Klinkhammer (9-0):
Klinkhammer has some good-level experience. He has fought for promotions like Oktagon and Ares FC. he's also had some unfortunate fights fall through. Klinkhammer was supposed to fight on the contender series in 2022 but had to pull out. He was also gonna fight for the Ares FC welterweight title but his opponent missed weight and the fight was called off. Klinkhammer is a product out of the well-known London Shootfighters gym. Between his pro and amateur runs Klinkhammer hasn’t lost going 13-0 combined. Klinkhammer

Bantamweight, Liam Gittins (13-4):
Gittins has had a career turnaround over the last two years. The long-tenured Cage Warriors veteran was just another guy at one point. Between 2020-2021 Gittins went 2-4. After losing two in a row Gittins has been on a streak of winning six in a row. From fighting in the prelims to the main event winning the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. Last March he defended that title against a solid prospect in Roberto Hernandez handing him his first loss. Gittins has done his time outside the UFC taking the long road and that the best way to get into the UFC sometimes.

The fifth could be any of these listed names. The only reason I'm not choosing only one is because they are all scheduled for fights on the Contender Series;

• Lone'er Kavanagh

• Will Currie

• Louis Lee Scott