One of the most difficult things for a new addition to the UFC roster to do is make an instant impression and generate momentum right out of the chute.
For every Conor McGregor who carried a ton of hype into his preliminary card pairing with Marcus Brimage and had the panache to steal the show in Stockholm six years ago, there are seven, eight or nine athletes with solid resumes and impressive skill sets who begin their UFC journey in the shadows.
Sometimes it can take two, three, four fights before an unheralded talent can start to build momentum and, even then, their ability to make progress up the divisional ladder usually hinges on so much more than simply their performance in the cage.