UFC vice president of talent relations, Mick Maynard, has revealed that when scouting for potential prospects, he looks for fighters with an impressive record of knockouts or submissions and those who show promise in regional fights, with UFC also cultivating local talent through its Performance Institutes in China and Mexico.
UFC matchmakers, from Joe Silva to Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, are known for their silence. They’re practically barred from publicly discussing their behind-the-scenes work. But, hey, rules are meant to be broken, right?
A recent video from TKO Group Holdings (the love child of UFC and WWE) dropped a short clip. It was Mick Maynard, talking about what he looks for when scouting new talent. His job? Not just matching fights across divisions (he shares that gig with Shelby), but spotting the next big thing in the ring. He’s the guy who decides who’s worth signing to UFC, The Ultimate Fighter, and the Contender Series. No pressure, Mick.
There’s no magic formula for getting noticed. But Maynard, or should we say, UFC’s VP of talent relations, gives us a hint. He’s looking for a killer résumé, packed with knockouts or submissions. Makes sense, right?
“There’s so much Sean [Shelby] and I focus on,” Maynard admits. “You’ve got to check the record. Are they finishing fights?” He’s got a point. If they’re not finishing fights on a regional level, how can they handle the big leagues? It’s crucial.
UFC doesn’t just scout globally. They’re growing their own talent too. They’ve built Performance Institutes in China and Mexico. The UFC Performance Institute in Vegas is the gold standard for training and recovery. Now, they’re aiming to replicate that success worldwide.
“The talent level now, compared to eight years ago, is insane,” says Maynard. “We have Performance Institutes in Vegas, Shanghai, and now Mexico.” These institutes are changing the game. Maynard was recently in Mexico City, and the turnout was impressive. People are hungry for the chance to earn a scholarship from the Performance Institute.
The UFC scholarship? It’s like a college scholarship. Fighters get food, housing, and training. The goal? To earn a spot on the UFC roster. “They get a scholarship, they’re fed, they have world-class coaching and facilities,” Maynard explains. “Seeing the growth, especially in Mexico City, has been off the charts. We want the best fighters in the world.”
Sure, a fighter’s record and finishing rate matter. But Maynard admits there are times when they find a real gem. It’s rare, but when it happens, UFC jumps on it. “Every now and then, you get a Conor McGregor. A superstar. We take all of those things into account,” Maynard says. So, there you have it. A peek behind the UFC curtain.