Every champion in MMA history started somewhere.

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey begins long before they strap on UFC, Bellator or PFL gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, few will succeed.

This month, five fighters on the verge of achieving major promotion notoriety – one for the second time – return to the cage for what could be their stepping-stone fight. There are dozens of fighters close to making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.

• An undefeated homegrown Tiger Schulmann’s product emulates his teammate Shane Burgos and hopes the UFC takes a liking.
• A relative newcomer to MMA, a Factory X flyweight hopes his improbably quick ascent toward the top takes its next step to the UFC with another impressive win.
• An experienced Brazilian fighter who struggles to find willing opponents aims to show the UFC he’s ready now that someone has finally signed on the dotted line.
• A slick submission ace packed up his life and moved to Las Vegas to get proper MMA training for the first time in his life. He wants to make his sacrifices worth it with a UFC contract.
• There has never been a Costa Rica-born fighter in the UFC, but one bantamweight up-and-comer aims to change that.