![Sean O'Malley [Image courtesy @sugaseanmma on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/10/383c4-16350022342941-1920.jpg)
![Sean O'Malley [Image courtesy @sugaseanmma on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Over the past decade, the UFC has established a reputation as an organization that only pits the very best against the very best. It stands out from other combat sports in that regard, with boxing known for building its fighters resumes by matching the future stars of the sport against low-level opposition.
A notable recent example of this would be Tommy Fury, who is currently 7-0. This looks by all accounts to be an impressive record, that is until you take a closer look at his opponents. According to BoxRec, Fury's seven opponents have a combined record of only 14-150.
The UFC often embraces the opportunity to break this trend, matching up promotional debutants with experienced veterans and fellow rising prospects. In 2020, former Cage Warriors champion Jai Herbert was signed to the UFC. His first opponent was Francisco Trinaldo, who held a 25-7 record, was riding a two-fight win streak and had defeated the likes of Paul Felder and Bobby Green.
However, there are certain examples of the UFC giving their rising prospects somewhat favorable matchups rather than putting them in with the elite of the division.
In the following list, we take a look at five unranked prospects that the UFC wants to build up before giving them high-profile fights.
#5. Jack Shore - UFC bantamweight
The United Kingdom has produced a host of talented prospects as of late, chief among them being Jack 'Tank' Shore. The undefeated Welshman has looked unstoppable since transitioning from Cage Warriors to the UFC in 2019.
So far, the UFC has matched him up with Nohelin Hernandez, Aaron Phillips, Hunter Azure and Liudvik Sholinian. These four athletes are all respectable fighters in their own regard, especially Azure, who is somewhat of a prospect himself.
However, there hasn't been any significant step-up in competition for Shore so far. He entered the promotion in a similar manner to the afore-mentioned Jai Herbert, but his level of opposition has been undeniably less experienced than the opponents Herbert has faced.
Admittedly, Shore was scheduled to face off against Said Nurmagomedov in September, who would have served as Shore's highest profile fight to date. Unfortunately the Dagestani bantamweight withdrew from the fight, leading to Sholinian stepping in on short notice.
What this does indicate, however, is that the UFC are now willing to give Shore a step-up in opposition. He may well be looking at a ranked opponent next.
#4. Alex Pereira - UFC middleweight
Alex Pereira is one of the UFC's most hyped signings of 2021. The former kickboxing world champion is known for having knocked out current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a kickboxing bout several years ago.
Pereira is set to make his UFC debut at UFC 268. He will face off against Andreas Michailidis, who whilst being a competent fighter, does seem somewhat hand-picked for Pereira.
Pereira is still only four fights into his MMA career. Whilst his striking is unsurprisingly incredibly high level, his ground game still needs to catch up. His sole loss came by way of a rear-naked choke.
Thankfully for Pereira, Michailidis is almost entirely reliant on his striking. The result should be an exciting matchup, but one that favors Pereira's extensive kickboxing background.
Considering Pereira is still very early into his MMA career, do not be surprised if we see him matched up with more favorable opponents for his next few fights. However, it does seem inevitable that he will face off with Israel Adesanya at some point in his career.
#3. Ian Garry - UFC welterweight
Another new signing for the UFC in 2021, Ian Garry is also set to compete at UFC 268. The former Cage Warriors welterweight champion holds a perfect 7-0 record. His ability on the mic is already drawing comparisons to that of his fellow countryman Conor McGregor.
He will make his debut against Jordan Williams, who currently holds a record of 9-5. Williams is also yet to have a win inside the UFC, having been submitted by Micky Gall and outpointed by Nassourdine Imavov.
While Williams does have a good win over Gregory Rodrigues on the Contender Series, it is clear he is meant to be a lay-up up for 'The Future'. If Garry puts on a statement performance against Williams, it seems likely that his next few opponents will be of a similar caliber to further build the Irishman's highlight reel.
#2. Paddy Pimblett - UFC lightweight
At UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Brunson, American MMA fans were introduced to Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett. The lightweight debutant, hailing from Liverpool, England, made short work of Luigi Vendramini, picking up a first-round KO victory. He then went on to deliver an iconic post-fight interview with Michael Bisping.
Both Pimblett's KO and his interview went viral, turning him into an instant star. The UFC will undoubtedly take their time to build Pimblett up now, having seen how much traction 'The Baddy' can generate on social media off the back of just one fight.
Should the UFC return to the UK in 2022, Pimblett will likely feature on the main card slot. It would also likely be against an opponent primed for another highlight-reel stoppage from the Liverpudlian.
#1. Sean O'Malley - UFC bantamweight
The top example by far of the UFC holding back a fighter from competing against high-level opposition is, of course, 'Suga' Sean O'Malley. The bantamweight prospect is arguably one of the biggest names in the entire UFC. Despite that, he has nearly solely fought people outside the top 15.
His last fight was arguably the biggest of his career. It took place on the main card of UFC 264 and was against UFC debutant Kris Moutinho.
His other opponents inside the UFC include Thomas Almeida, Jose Quinonez, Andre Soukhamthath and Eddie Wineland, all of whom have since been cut from the promotion.
He does have an upcoming fight with Raulian Paiva, who is certainly a step-up in competition. However, Paiva recently fell out of the rankings and his last fight with Kyler Phillips was a close-run affair in which Paiva came incredibly close to being finished.
Should O'Malley be victorious, he may finally be paired with big names such as Dominic Cruz or Marlon Moraes. However, fans should not hold their breath.
