Reviewing the last 10 UFC debutants (Patreon)

Read about the last ten fighters to debut recently and their potential under the brightest lights possible…

Manuel Torres

Weightclass: Lightweight
UFC debut: May. 14th/UFC Vegas 54
Result: Manuel Torres def. Frank Camacho via TKO, Round 1, 3:27
Record improves to 13-2

Torres fought a dangerous fight with Camacho standing in banging. In the same sense, it was smart to do so as he's the younger guy against way more miles on Camacho. As it did get a bit sloppy at times Torres was firing on all cylinders touching up Camacho. He landed a beautiful slip to a counter one-two for the finish. The writing isn't yet on the wall for Torres as it's hard to tell how good he is. This fight ended so quickly and before that on the contender series, it ended due to a missed eye poke. Before that when he was fighting on the smaller shows there is no footage. Torres is a mystery but I'm excited to see him again.

Potential: Bonus fighter

Jake Hadley

Weightclass: Flyweight
UFC debut: May. 14th/UFC Vegas 54
Result: Allan Nascimento def. Jake Hadley via Decision (Unanimous)
The record dropped to 8-1

The most disappointing UFC debuts in a while. Hadley coming from Cage Warriors had a lot of hype and was someone I thought could be top 15 in a year. Not just losing he got dominated for three rounds. Nascimento bullied Hadley on the mat treating Hadley like a strawweight fighter. Hadley didn't even look like he belonged. He was easily taken down, reversed when he got on top, and his fight IQ was way off. I do think Nascimento is highly underrated for the division and still think Hadley has a bright future. A lot of guys Hadley beat outside the UFC are UFC -level talent so I think his ceiling is high.

Potential: Top 15

Carlos Candelario

Weightclass: Flyweight
UFC debut: May. 14th/UFC Vegas 54
Result: Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario by Decision (Unanimous)
The record dropped to 8-2

Candelario did look better than I thought he would. In a grapple-heavy fight which this was, I expected Candelario to be sucking wind by round three. He wasn't and had a lot of moments. He scored takedowns and had some moments while on top. All in all he fought a better grappler and had to fight through a lot of submissions. I don't think this is the same Candelario from a few years ago and 30 is pretty old at 125. I don't see Candelario ever being anything in the UFC.

Potential: Bottom of the division

Tatsuro Taira

Weightclass: Flyweight
UFC debut: May. 14th/UFC Vegas 54
Result: Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario by Decision (Unanimous)
The record improved to 11-0

Taira although was taken down a few times he won all three rounds and even a 30-26 from one judge. Taira dropped Candelario, landed a lot of ground and pound, and attempted a lot of submissions. Did all that fighting with a solid pace and defensively matched any offense Caldelario had. JMMA is pretty weak outside the UFC and I think Taira can be someone that could hold the flag high.

Potential: Top 15

Cameron VanCamp

Weightclass: Welterweight
UFC debut: May. 7th/UFC 274
Result: Andre Fialho def. Cameron VanCamp via Knockout (Left hook), Round 1, 2:35
The record drops to 15-6-1

Nobody expected VanCamp to beat Andre Fialho. Although he did get knocked out in round one like everyone thought would happen he did have some success. Early on VanCamp did stun Fialho. He got overzealous and his defense bit him in the ass getting caught on the way in. VanCamp won't go far in the UFC with his striking defense and poor chin.

Potential: Cut before he wins 

Kleydson Rodrigues

Weightclass: Flyweight
UFC debut: May. 7th/UFC 274
Result: CJ Vergara def. Kleydson Rodrigues via Decision (Split)
The record dropped to 7-2

I and many others thought Rodrigues should've won but in all honestly, he should've never allowed it to be that close. The guy we saw on the contender series we only say about 40% of that in his UFC debut. Vergara is a tough guy and I do think I and many others looked passes him due to his not-so-great UFC debut. He pressured Rodrigues to take away the space and the Brazilian was never able to get fully everything off. I still think Rodrigues has all the potential in the world. Excellent striking and solid cardio with a decent ground game.

Potential: Top 15

Fernie Garcia

Weightclass: Bantamweight
UFC debut: May. 7th/UFC 274
Result: Journey Newson def. Fernie Garcia via Decision (Unanimous)
The record drops to 10-2

Garcia won the first round but Newson made the right adjustments and won the last two rounds. I feel Newson is probably better than we all think and actually has a bright future himself. Garcia to me is a middle-of-the-pack fighter that will get a few good wins here and there. He's got good boxing and a good ground game that he should use more.

Potential: 50/50 fighter

Yohan Lainesse

Weightclass: Bantamweight
UFC debut: Apr. 30th/UFC Vegas 53
Result: Gabe Green def. Yohan Lainesse via TKO, Round 2, 4:02
The record drops to 8-1

Lainesse did almost finish the fight at a point but couldn't put Green away. Lainesse is just a meme power guy and that's all. I never thought he was UFC level and it was a shame he knocked out Justin Burlinson on the contender series. Burlinson is the much better fighter but was just caught. Lainesse does have a ton of power but lacks technique and the gas tank drains as the fight goes. He can catch about anyone in the division but skill for skill he's at the bottom of the division.

Potential: Cut within two years

Evan Elder

Weightclass: Lightweight
UFC debut: Apr. 30th/UFC Vegas 52
Result: Preston Parsons def. Evan Elder via Decision (Unanimous)  
The record drops to 7-1

Elder took this fight on short notice against a good fighter and up a weightclass. He clearly lost but held his own and looked really good. At 155 he'll look a lot better at his natural weightclass. Good wrestling, solid jiu-jitsu, strong cardio, and improving stand-up. Parsons is the best fighter he's fought and before that piss poor competition so he still has a lot to prove. He's run through them guys but how about actually UFC-level guys. I think he'll do well but will take a few years to hit his stride.

Potential: Middle of the pack

Caio Borralho

Weightclass: Middleweight
UFC debut: Apr. 16th/UFC Vegas 51
Result: Caio Borralho def. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev via Decision (Unanimous)   
Record Improves to 11-1

Borralho looked outstanding beating a very talented Gadzhi Omargadzhiev. What really impressed me was he beat Gadzhi at his own game taking him down and out grappling him. We already knew Borralho was a talented guy striking but we say another element into his wrestling-ground game. He fought the perfect fight and there was nothing at all negative to say. Everytime Borralho has fought he looked better. He already has another fight booked in July against Armen Petrosyan. Borralho should walk through Petrosyan.

Potential: Contender