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This weekend, one of the biggest UFC events of 2021 will take place. On Saturday, a stacked UFC 268 card will go down inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Most of the focus going into UFC 268 is on the two title fights at the top of the event, but this is a remarkably deep card with a number of excellent bouts on offer.
Naturally, then, there are a number of high-level fighters set to be in action who are flying under the radar coming into the event. That includes some who could even break into title contention in 2022.
Sure, it makes sense that fans would mostly be looking forward to Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington and Rose Namajunas vs. Weili Zhang. However, they should not overlook the rest of UFC 268.
With that in mind, here are five fighters who are flying under the radar going into UFC 268.
#5. Melsik Baghdasaryan – UFC featherweight
Under normal circumstances, putting on an explosive performance in a UFC debut and taking an opponent out with a violent knockout would automatically guarantee a fighter a feature spot in their next fight.
However, that hasn’t been the case for striker Melsik Baghdasaryan. The Armenian made his UFC debut back in July and looked phenomenal in his win over Collin Anglin. He picked up a $50k bonus for his second-round head kick knockout.
Most fans probably would’ve expected him to move up the card for his second octagon appearance. Due to the stacked nature of UFC 268, Baghdasaryan’s fight with newcomer Bruno Souza has only made the early prelims. While the UFC’s early prelims often feel skippable, the presence of ‘The Gun’ means that it’ll be well worth tuning into this weekend’s.
Not only does his striking style mean that fireworks are always likely to ensue in any of his fights, but his opponent, a protégé of former UFC champion Lyoto Machida, also prefers to strike.
Baghdasaryan will be favored coming into this one, but if Souza obliges him in a shootout, it could turn into a genuinely excellent fight. If ‘The Gun’ can win here, he shouldn’t remain under the radar for much longer.
#4. Phil Hawes – UFC middleweight
The UFC middleweight division has plenty of interesting prospects and rising stars, but at the top of the list might be Phil Hawes.
‘Megatron’ made his UFC debut last year after putting together a record of 8-2. He quickly put himself on the map with his violent knockout of Jacob Malkoun.
Since then, he’s also defeated Nassourdine Imavov and Kyle Daukaus, looking impressive in both of those wins. A highly decorated collegiate wrestler, Hawes has the kind of athletic talent that simply can’t be taught and the rest of his MMA game is quickly catching up to his takedowns.
UFC 268 will see Hawes face off with Chris Curtis. The newcomer has been given the opportunity to take on ‘Megatron’ after agreeing to fight him on late notice in October in a fight that was eventually scrapped. With a record of 26-8, Curtis has far more experience than his opponent this weekend, but he’s also a career welterweight who has never really faced an opponent as explosive as Hawes.
That means the 32-year-old should have an opportunity to pick up the second stoppage of his UFC career. With eyeballs almost guaranteed to be on his fight, it’s his chance to really step into the spotlight.
‘Megatron’ might be flying under the radar going into this event, but if he performs as he’s capable of doing, that shouldn’t be the case after UFC 268.
#3. Edmen Shahbazyan – UFC middleweight
Just over a year ago, it looked like Edmen Shahbazyan was destined for greatness in the UFC middleweight division. He began 2020 as an undefeated prospect and was coming off the biggest win of his career, a knockout of Brad Tavares at UFC 244.
However, ‘The Golden Boy’ suffered his first defeat when he was beaten by Derek Brunson last August. When he returned to action this May, he fell to another disappointing loss at the hands of Jack Hermansson. Those two losses seem to have shunted Shahbazyan down the ladder in the eyes of the fans and have him flying under the radar. However, to write him off entirely would be foolish.
The Armenian-American is still just 23 years old, meaning he hasn’t even reached his athletic prime yet. He’s already shown that he has the all-round skills to reach the top of the middleweight division with a little more improvement. Even in his losses, he displayed extreme toughness.
This weekend sees ‘The Golden Boy’ attempt to rebound from those losses, but it won’t be easy. His opponent Nassourdine Imavov is a very tough out for any 185lber and his only UFC loss came against Phil Hawes. Unless Shahbazyan is at his best, he could make things very difficult.
However, if ‘The Golden Boy’ has improved as most observers expect him to have, then he should be able to pick up his fifth UFC win, putting him right back on the ladder into contention.
#2. Shane Burgos – UFC featherweight
Featherweight contender Shane Burgos is in a tricky spot coming into his fight at UFC 268. He’s still ranked at No.14 in the 145-pound division, but he’s also coming off two straight losses and hasn’t won in the octagon since November 2019.
‘Hurricane’ should not be in danger of being cut by the UFC, but stranger things have happened. That means that he’s probably got his back to the wall right now, making him an extremely dangerous fighter to face off against.
Burgos’ fight with Billy Quarantillo is scheduled for this weekend’s main card, but it’s still largely flying under the radar. That's because it was only elevated into that spot when UFC 268 lost Luke Rockhold vs. Sean Strickland.
However, the clash may well prove to be a contender for the Fight of the Night award. Quarantillo is a gritty and aggressive fighter, while Burgos tends to produce wild and violent striking battles. He has already claimed four $50k bonus awards in his nine-fight UFC career.
If ‘Hurricane’ can get back to form again and win impressively this weekend, he should quickly find himself back in genuine contention, making him a fighter to keep an eye on at UFC 268.
#1. Alex Pereira – UFC middleweight
Israel Adesanya is currently the reigning UFC middleweight champion. While he failed to become a double champion when he faced Jan Blachowicz in April, he’s still ranked as the third best pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion. That’s why it’s so crazy that the UFC aren’t making a bigger deal of the octagon debut of Alex Pereira this weekend.
For those who are unaware, Pereira is not only the former GLORY middleweight and light heavyweight kickboxing champion, but he’s also the only man to ever knock Adesanya out in a fight.
To say Pereira is a highly credentialed kickboxer would be a massive understatement. ‘Poatan’ has victories over some of the world’s best strikers, including Artem Vakhitov, Simon Marcus and Jason Wilnis. Of his 33 victories, 21 came by knockout.
The Brazilian is naturally less experienced in MMA, holding a record of 3-1. However, he’s still one of the most fascinating prospects to move into the UFC in some time.
Pereira’s UFC debut will see him face off against Andreas Michailidis, a man with far more MMA experience. However, he's also a fighter who has been knocked out on four occasions. Essentially, he seems like a favorable opponent for ‘Poatan’.
Usually, such a debut would garner plenty of hype, but UFC 268 is so stacked that Pereira is largely flying under the radar. If he can pick up a KO in his octagon debut, though, that will change quickly.
