Family Business: A Look At Sibling Prospects in MMA

UFC Vegas 35 Bryan Battle
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 28: (L-R) Bryan Battle kicks Gilbert Urbina in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

The Urbina family has had a lot of success. Hector Urbina is a former UFC athlete, fighting for the promotion from 2014 to 2016. Gilbert Urbina was a finalist on TUF 29 and is currently on the UFC roster. Elias Urbina is still on the regional scene waiting for his opportunity. The 28-year-old was actually on the Contender Series in 2017 but lost to Bevon Lewis. Since that bout, Elias has won two in a row. If he can become active he is good enough for another shot.

A brother duo I can guarantee will be in the UFC one day is Elijah Johns and Miles Johns, the latter of whom is already in the UFC. Elijah is following a similar path as Miles grinding it out in LFA for a possible Contender Series fight. His two losses were by decision and he arguably won those. It’s certain Elijah will get to the UFC with his brother if he keeps continuously winning in LFA.

Edmen Shahbazyan was on the Contender Series in 2018 getting a big win and a UFC contract. Trying to strike while the iron was hot a year later while Edmen was 3-0 in the UFC at the time, the UFC gave Leon Shahbazyan a shot on the Contender Series. It didn’t pan out like it did for his brother. Leon lost his fight and would lose his next fight as well. He did get back on the board with a win last October but his opponent was 0-0. His level of competition is terrible but he’s got the skill and just needs to show it at against competent fighters.