UFC Sign Noad Lahat, debuts at Fight Night 38

UFC sign Noad Lahat, Featherweight makes debut at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson II

The UFC has announced the signing of Noad Lahat. The popularity of the UFC has soared in Israel recently, with all programming broadcast on the “free to air” Sport 5, part of The Sports Channel LTD group. Now with this announcement, made on Friday, that popularity will only increase.

Noad Lahat is an undefeated mixed martial artist with a 7-0 record. He is based out of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, USA.

On the signing, Sean Shelby said:

“Israeli born, Noad Lahat is a great undefeated featherweight prospect possessing a strong ability to finish fights with an outstanding ground game.”

Lahat will make his UFC debut when Godofredo Pepey welcomes the undefeated featherweight prospect to the Octagon in Natal, Brazil at UFC Fight Night 38: Shogun vs. Henderson II on Saturday 23rd March. Both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout.

Noad Lahat said:

“I’m really excited to have signed with the UFC and can’t wait for my first fight. Getting this contract means that my years of hard work are finally paying off, but it’s also just the beginning of what I want to accomplish in the UFC and in my career. I’m an exciting fighter, I finish fights. I’m going to keep doing that and go out there and impress people.

“As the only Israeli fighter on the UFC roster I hope that my success will inspire and motivate fighters from my home country. I hope that I can connect with fans and be someone they cheer for and support. Having an Israeli fighting in the UFC will help educate people and grow the sport in the country.”

Sean Shelby, time to give Jim Alers a call

Could Jim Alers be the next Cage Warriors champion to be signed by the UFC?
by Chris Marzella @ChrisMarzella

Photo (Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors)

With the UFC European expansion planned for late 2014 an array of top fighters are set to be considered from across the continent to make the step up.

There is one man however, who is right under the nose of the UFC, or any other major North American promotion for that matter, cutting his way through the European scene.

Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Jim "The Beast" Alers (12-1), has been tearing his way through some of Europe's best featherweights and it would seem that he is now on the cusp of receiving that all important call from UFC match maker Sean Shelby.

Alers is riding an eight fight winning streak, but as of yet that has proven not to be enough to make it to the elite MMA promotion.

Alers looked spectacular on his last outing at Cage Warriors 63, Dublin, Ireland on New Year's eve. He is a renowned grappler, but against Scotland's Graham Turner he looked every bit the striker as he dominated from the opening, rocking the challenger and finishing him off with a technical, decisive north-south choke.

The question then remains, is Alers ready for a UFC call up?

Well in the past year there have been Cage Warriors featherweights who did catch the eye of Sean Shelby, Robert Whiteford and Conor McGregor. It can be argued that Alers is on par, if not more advanced, than both of those fighters.

Alers could and should be the next one plucked from the organisation as he seems a cut above anyone else not currently signed to the UFC 145lbs division.

Alers in the past has had his run ins with UFC superstar McGregor when both were under the CWFC banner. Several planned fights between the two failed to materialise before McGregor left for pastures new.
In an interview last year Alers said: "It was never about fighting Conor, it was just about fighting the person who had the title and I just wanted to fight whoever had the title.“

For the time being Alers seems very content to keep showing up as and when Cage Warriors ask him  and beating anyone they match him up with. But you get the impression that will only satisfy him for so long before the desire to fight at the elite level consumes him.

In an interview with KingdomMMA.co.uk ahead of his title defence at Cage Warriors 59 he discussed appearing in any of the major North American promotions and he said: "I am holding out for the UFC. That has been the dream since day one. Right now however I am going to be the best Cage Warriors champ ever. If UFC doesn't call you will see me defending my title plenty of times under the Cage Warriors banner."

It seems then that he is happy where he is in his life. He recently became a father, gets to travel the world defending his CWFC championship. The only thing that could make life any better for the Floridian would be a call from Shelby.

After a standout 2013 a UFC call up in 2014 can not be a million miles away.