5 under the radar names to look out for at UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont

In what is now the established norm for non-pay-per-view events, the UFC returns to the Apex yet again this weekend. The Vegas facility will now play host to UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont. This event will mark the UFC's 40th Fight Night in the arena.

The headlining fight was initially intended to see women's featherweights Holly Holm and Norma Dumont face off. However, after Holm dropped out on short notice, Aspen Ladd has stepped in, moving up in weight in what she hopes will be the start of a run to the 145-pound title.

The card's co-main event sees former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski face off against heavy-hitting Carlos Felipe. UFC veteran Jim Miller also features on the main card.

Whilst there may not be a plethora of ranked fighters on this card, there are some rising prospects who certainly have the potential to challenge for gold one day. For that reason, this card is well worth keeping an eye on.

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In the following list we breakdown five fighters competing at UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont that fans should look out for. Honorable mentions go to Andrew Sanchez, Julian Marquez and Ariane Carnelossi.

#5. Danny 'Hot Chocolate' Roberts - UFC welterweight

The only Brit on the card is UFC welterweight Danny Roberts, who takes on Russian wrestler Ramazan Emeev. Both men are coming off wins and will no doubt be hoping to put on a performance that places them within touching distance of the top 15.

Roberts currently holds a 17-5 record, with six wins in the UFC. Amongst those six victories are stoppages against of Zelim Imadaev, Oliver Enkamp and Bobby Nash.

Roberts has an elite striking game that can certainly cause Emeev problems. He has struggled with wrestlers in the past, but if 'Hot Chocolate' truly wishes to make a run into the 170-pound rankings, a statement victory against Emeev would do wonders for his career moving forward.

#4. Lupita 'Loopy' Godinez - UFC women's flyweight

Having competed only a week ago at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez, Lupita Godinez returns to the Apex to face off against Luana Carolina. Godinez defeated Silvana Gomez Juarez via first-round submission last weekend. She stated in her post-fight interview that she was ready to step back in the octagon at any time.

Godinez proved that it was not just talk when Sijara Eubanks was forced out of her fight with Carolina due to COVID-19 protocol. If Godinez is able to put together two wins in two weeks, she will immediately fast track herself to a top-15 position and will undoubtedly become an instant fan favorite.

#3. Danaa 'Storm' Batgerel - UFC bantamweight

Mongolia's Danaa Batgerel is currently riding a two-fight winning streak inside the UFC, having knocked out both Kevin Natividad and Guido Cannetti. He will take on MMA veteran Brandon Davis on Saturday. Davis has fought his way back into the UFC after being cut from the organization in 2019.

This will very much be a classic prospect vs. veteran matchup, despite the ages of the two men being very similar. For Batgerel, another KO victory here may well be enough to see him paired up with a ranked fighter next, or at very least a bantamweight on the precipice of the 135-pound top 15.

Davis' experience and high-level ground game certainly have the potential to give Batgerel a lot of trouble. However, 'Storm' is riding high on confidence right now, and has proven he is equipped with the power to end the fight at any given moment.

#2. Ludovit 'Mr. Highlight' Klein - UFC featherweight

When Ludovit Klein made his UFC debut against Shane Young at UFC 253, fans were instantly drawn to his exciting fighting style, a product of years spent on the kickboxing circuits.

As a result, he went into his second UFC fight against Mike Trizano as a heavy favorite. However, Trizano defied the odds by utilizing the full skillset afforded to a mixed martial artist, picking up a unanimous decision victory.

However, fans should not be put off Klein based on that result alone. He is still very much a rising prospect. At UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont, Klein takes on the always-entertaining Nate Landwehr.

Landwehr has a reputation for putting on incredibly exciting matchups. However, his fighting style often results in him being hit hard and regularly, something that Klein will be looking to take full advantage of.

#1. Manon 'The Beast' Fiorot - UFC women's flyweight

French MMA seems to be on the rise as of late. UFC women's flyweight Manon Fiorot is yet another fighter who looks like she may well have the potential to be a future contender.

She is riding a seven-fight win streak with wins at EFC, UAE Warriors and two stoppages in the UFC. Both Tabatha Ricci and Victoria Leonardo crumbled against the power of 'The Beast'.

However, when she faces off against Mayra Bueno Silva this weekend, Fiorot will be competing against her most skilled opponent to date. This will be Fiorot's chance to truly announce that she is a rising problem for the rest of the 125-pound division.

Considering Valentina Shevchenko's dominance at flyweight, a fighter with the combination of Fiorot's skillset and physicality could rapidly gain hype as a potential contender who could offer 'Bullet' a new challenge.