Bellator 178 takes place Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and is headlined by featherweight champion Daniel Straus defending his title against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. While this card doesn’t feature any of promotions high prized cast-offs from the UFC, it does serve as a glimpse into what the future holds for the California based promotion. Here are five prospects to keep an eye on at Bellator 178.

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (vs. Jessica Middleton) – Flyweight matchup

“The Ilimanator” looks to continue her rise up the women’s flyweight rankings as she takes on Kansas City native Middleton.

Macfarlane (5-0) made her Bellator debut in 2015 and has amassed a perfect 4-0 record, most recently defeating Emily Ducote by unanimous decision at Bellator 167. The San Diego native is perhaps best known for her impressive rear-naked-choke victory over a year ago against Rebecca Ruth at Bellator 167. Middleton (2-0) has won both of her professional fights in the Bellator cage, defeating Bruna Ellen and Alice Yauger in her last fight at Bellator 171.

Should Macfarline earn her sixth straight win on Saturday, the 27-year-old would be an easy candidate for a potential vacant flyweight championship match should Bellator decide to go that route.

AJ McKee Jr. (vs. Dominic Mazzotta) – Featherweight matchup

Team Bodyshop product McKee looks to keep his unblemished record intact when he battles Bellator newcomer Mazzotta.

McKee (7-0) heads into this matchup off a unanimous decision win over Brandon Phillips at Bellator 171 and has won five of his seven career fights by stoppage. The son of former UFC lightweight Antonio McKee faces his biggest test yet in Mazzotta, who has won nine-fights in a row. Mazzotta (12-1) lone loss through 13-career matchups was a 2014 setback to current UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. The 29-year-old has only gone the distance twice in his career and boasts nine-wins by submission.

Should McKee get past “The Honey Badger” on Saturday night, a title shot may be on the horizon.

Ed Ruth (vs. Aaron Goodwine) – Middleweight matchup

Three-time NCAA wrestling champion Ruth looks for third professional victory when he takes on Gracie Clearwater product Goodwine.

Ruth (2-0) made his MMA debut this past November and has earned back-to-back knockout victories over Dustin Collins-Miles and most recently Emanuele Palombi at Bellator 168. The 26-year-old competes for the first time this year and trains out of Jackson-Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Goodwine (2-0) made his professional debut in May 2015 and will be making his Bellator debut this Saturday.

Considering how shallow Bellator’s middleweight division is, a win for Ruth this Saturday could propel him up the 185-pound ladder.

Tyrell Fortune (vs. Branko Busick) – Heavyweight matchup

Former NCAA Division II champion Fortune looks to go 3-0 in his MMA career when he battles Branko Busick.

Fortune (2-0) made his professional MMA debut last November earning a first round TKO victory over Cody Miskell at Bellator 163. The 26-year-old followed that up with a second round TKO win at Bellator 171 over Will Johnson back in January. Busick (0-0) is not only be making his Bellator debut, but will also be competing in his first professional fight. With a lack of heavyweight prospects, Forture has a tremendous opportunity Saturday to continue his rise up the division.

Jordan Young (vs. Tim Caron) – Middleweight matchup

A pair of middleweight prospects put their undefeated records on the line as 22-year-old Young clashes with Burgess MMA standout Caron.

Young (6-0) has won four of his six career fights by submission and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Chris Harris in his promotional debut earlier this year at Bellator 171. The Iowa native also holds a win over Roufusport standout Cameron Olson and has only gone the distance twice in his career. Caron (7-0) has won all three of his fights under the Bellator banner by knockout and has yet to see the judges’ scorecards in his seven-fight career.  

A win for either fighter this Saturday would undoubtedly inch themselves closer to a middleweight title shot.

Here’s an updated look at the card:

Daniel Straus (c) vs. Patrico Freire – Featherweight title
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Jessica Middleton
AJ McKee Jr. vs. Dominic Mazzotta
Saad Awad vs. Ryan Quinn
Blair Tugman vs. Tom English
Billy Giovanella vs. Josh Ricci
Regivaldo Carvalho vs. Jay Perrin
John Lopez vs. Remo Cardarelli
Mike Mangan vs Don Shainis
Ed Ruth vs. Aaron Goodwine
Tyrell Fortune vs. Branko Busick
Jordan Young vs. Tim Caron