Five under-the-radar fighters to watch at UFC 309

NEW YORK — Despite featuring fighters with the most victories (Jim Miller), most title fight victories (Jon Jones), most heavyweight title victories (Stipe Miocic), most stoppage victories (Charles Oliveira), most submission victories (Oliveira), most performance of the night bonuses (Oliveira), most appearances (Miller), and longest unbeaten streak (Jones) in UFC history, it’s fair to call UFC 309 a top-heavy card.

The top is just really heavy. One of the greatest fighters of all time versus the greatest heavyweight of all time in the main event. Two of the sport’s most belligerent action fighters in the co-main. UFC’s most anticipated prospect in years setting the stage.

But there are also several intriguing down-card fighters trying to take the next steps in their careers competing on Saturday. Here are a few under-the-radar names to keep an eye on at UFC 309.

Mauricio Ruffy

Hardly a weekend has gone by in 2024 without an exciting prospect out of Fighting Nerds — an upstart, Sao Paulo-based gym that emphasizes sophisticated fight IQ and crisp technique — putting on an eye-opening performance.

Last Saturday, it was welterweight Carlos Prates, who proficiently dropped Neil Magny within a round to earn his fourth knockout and performance of the night bonus this year. In August, Caio Borralho won a unanimous decision over recent middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier — the 31-year-old’s seventh victory in as many UFC fights — to surge into his division’s Top-10. This summer, Jean Silva beat veterans Charles Jourdain and Drew Dober within the span of 15 days, moving to 3-0 since his UFC debut in January.

You won’t see many heavyweights featuring Diniz’s level of varied, technical striking. As a kickboxer, Diniz displayed a deep arsenal of boxing combinations mixed with powerful low kicks and flying knees that has translated well to MMA. Anyone that’s tested his hand speed on the feet has been promptly met with a flurry of counter hooks in response.

But Diniz still has major questions to answer on the mat where he hasn’t shown an ability to work his way to his feet from beneath a heavy opponent. Against Lane, Diniz spent over four minutes of the first round on his back, including a stressful final 10 seconds weathering heavy ground-and-pound while mounted.

Expect Tybura to test Diniz’s takedown defence early and often on Saturday. The gameplan ought to be a carbon copy of Tybura’s most recent fight against Tai Tuivasa, when Tybura earned a takedown after a series of attempts, scrambled to back position, and rained undefended shots before sinking a first-round submission.

But if Diniz can demonstrate improved takedown defence and keep the fight standing, he’ll have a marked speed advantage against the plodding Tybura. And if he can keep his unbeaten streak alive with a win over UFC’s No. 9 ranked heavyweight, he could launch himself into contender discussion in a division that ought to finally get moving following Saturday’s long-awaited main event.

Oban Elliott

After a spotty beginning to his Cage Warriors career, Oban Elliott quickly became a UK fan favourite with a series of unlikely victories against heavily favoured opponents, followed by moment-seizing turns on the mic layered with esoteric WWE and UFC references. That earned him the nickname “Welsh Gangster” as he barreled his way to an unlikely four-fight win streak and an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in early 2024.

Even there, Elliott had to overcome the odds against reigning Oktagon champion Kaik Brito, who nearly submitted him with a deep arm bar as the second-round buzzer sounded. But with a third-round rally, Elliott snatched away a majority decision from Brito’s grip and earned his UFC contract. After the fight, White said, “I don’t know anybody that wants it badder than this kid does.”

Elliott’s strung together consecutive unanimous decision victories since and enters Saturday’s bout with tenacious grappler Bassil Hafez aiming to have his hand raised for an eighth straight time and a third straight on a UFC pay-per-view.

Proficient both standing and on the ground, Elliott’s well positioned to force his way up a stagnant welterweight division in desperate need of new blood. He's already demonstrated his in-fight resilience, told his humble upbringing story, and compiled an 11-2 record dotted with underdog triumphs. Now he’s finally entering a fight as the favourite at an event where one of his passionate post-fight speeches could win him fans stateside to go along with his groundswell of UK support.