Five bringers of pain to watch in April
Some UFC newcomers and returning favourites step into the octagon next month
Last weekend’s event at the O2 Arena in London capped a run of three consecutive weekends with UFC action and delivered us to a two-weekend stretch where — as Ben Fowlkes and Chad Dundas would say on the Co-Main Event Podcast — “ain’t (stuff ) going on.”
Periods like this are great for reconnecting with friends you’ve ignored the last three Saturdays, tackling some of those chores you’ve put off because “the fights are starting” and being present in all other aspects of your life besides your MMA fandom.
They’re also great for looking at the month ahead and picking out a few unfamiliar names or “oh yeah, I remember that guy” types scheduled to compete.
Every card has a couple unknowns or returning talents you should take note of, fighters capable of making an instant impact once they step in the Octagon.
Here’s a look at five such fighters competing in April.
Cynthia Calvillo (vs. Pearl Gonzalez, UFC 210, April 8)
The 29-year-old Team Alpha Male representative rolled into her promotional debut at UFC 209 and tapped out Ultimate Fighter finalist Amanda Bobby Cooper in a scramble-heavy scrap that culminated in Calvillo attacking with an anaconda choke before transitioning into back mount and sinking in a rear naked choke.
It was an insane on-the-fly adjustment that made everyone watching sit up and take notice of the undefeated Calvillo, who now makes a quick turnaround to compete on consecutive pay-per-view cards against promotional newcomer Pearl Gonzalez.
If her sophomore effort is anything like her debut, a lot more people will be talking about the San Jose native following next month’s event. Now you can be the one telling all your friends to watch out for her before she steps into that cage.
Magomed Bibulatov (vs. Jenel Lausa, UFC 210)
This is one of those cases where people will see Bibulatov opening the show in Buffalo against an unsung, lower-level guy and think, “Nothing to see here.”
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Bibulatov is 13-0 and the former World Series of Fighting flyweight champion. He is, in my opinion, one of the top unranked fighters on the UFC roster and a guy who is capable of challenging Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for the flyweight title somewhere in the not-too-distant future.
Like many fighters from the North Caucasus, the 28-year-old Chechen-born Bibulatov has excellent grappling skills and should deliver an impressive showing in his maiden voyage into the Octagon.
Al Iaquinta (vs. Diego Sanchez, UFC Nashville, April 22)
Iaquinta certainly isn’t a newcomer, but by the time he steps back into the cage against Sanchez in the co-main event of April’s final event, it will have been a little over two years since the former TUF finalist competed inside the Octagon.
When he left, the combustible lightweight was in the midst of a four-fight winning streak that included back-to-back wins over Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal and he had won seven of his last eight fights. While two years away makes it difficult to know exactly where “Ragin’ Al” fits in the pecking order given how deep and competitive the lightweight division is, this pairing with the indefatigable Sanchez should be a good measuring stick.
Before his departure, Iaquinta seemed on the cusp of breaking into the upper tier and establishing himself as a contender. Now he’s back and it time to see if that remains the case.
Tom Duquesnoy (vs. Patrick Williams, UFC on FOX 24, April 15)
Smarter people than me have heralded Duquesnoy as the top prospect in the sport, which makes his arrival in the UFC and debut outing something of a must-see event for hardcore fight fans and those looking for a place on the bandwagon before it really gets rolling.
A two-division champion in BAMMA with an 11-fight winning streak heading into his bout with Williams, “Fire Kid” has all the markings of a potential superstar and only needs the opportunity to prove it. He’s been adding to his arsenal and sharpening his tools with the team at the Jackson-Winkeljohn Academy in Albuquerque, drawing rave reviews from his coaches and adding to the hype that carries him into his initial appearance.
Athletic, well-rounded and boasting 11 finishes in 14 career victories, the 23-year-old French bantamweight is definitely one to keep track of in the suddenly loaded 135-pound ranks.
Brandon Moreno (vs. Dustin Ortiz, UFC Nashville)
Moreno became a feel-good story last year.
After being cast on Season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter but getting eliminated from the competition right out of the gate, the 23-year-old got called on to replace Sergio Pettis against Louis Smolka last October in Portland. Less than halfway through the opening round, he caught the Hawaiian in a guillotine choke and completed an improbable upset.
Two months later, he moved to 2-0 in the Octagon with a split decision win over Ryan Benoit in a bout that ironically took place on the TUF 24 Finale.
Now Moreno gets a step up in competition against Ortiz, a durable, experienced veteran and Tennessee native who isn’t looking to catch an “L” on his home turf. If the excitable Mexican upstart can topple Ortiz and pick up a third straight win inside the Octagon, he’ll find himself in the championship mix in the flyweight division.
Spencer Kyte covers MMA for The Sun and The Province. Follow him on social media: @spencerkyte.