This is not a comprehensive list of prospects; it’s an overview of the most promising young talent in a given division. Given the sheer number of grassroots and regional promotions worldwide, it is almost a certainty that future stars have not yet popped up on my radar. If you feel I’ve overlooked a high-caliber prospect, please feel free to let me know in the comments section or on social media.
The fighters are not ranked in any particular order and some may have been excluded due to lack of footage.
Omar Nurmagomedov
Age: 22
Record: 8-0
Years Pro: 2
A member of the famous Nurmagomedov clan, Omar’s style contrasts heavily with that of his most successful and famous family member, UFC Lightweight champion Khabib. Omar comes from a Muay Thai background and thus likes to throw a lot of kicks. He doesn’t throw them with a lot of power but they are very quick and difficult to read. Omar also has a solid ground game, as is expected of a Nurmagomedov, and has plenty of room for improvement in that area and other facets of his game.
Jack Shore
Age: 24
Record: 10-0
Years Pro: 3
Having trained in MMA for most of his life, Shore represents the next generation of fighters: well-rounded in all the historic bases of the sport (striking, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). Having gone 12-0 as an amateur, Shore has further showcased his skills by remaining unbeaten in ten bouts as a professional and winning the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. The Welshman can do it all inside the cage but prefers to grapple. On the ground, Shore has a punishing top game which often leads to his opponents giving up their back in desperate attempts to stave off further damage. This works well for Shore, who is savvy and multi-dimensional with his submissions but prefers the rear naked choke to flashier, riskier finishes. Striking wise, Shore is primarily a boxer and likes to throw in combinations.
Ilia Topuria
Age: 22
Record: 6-0
Years Pro: 4
Topuria is perhaps the fighter with the most question marks on this list. He comes from a Greco-Roman wrestling and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu background and has been training MMA since his teenage years. Now in his early 20s, Topuria has captured our attention after he submitted Brian Bouland with a slick anaconda choke in his Cage Warriors debut. Topuria is a skilled, opportunistic grappler, but he also has a good jab and understands the importance of going to the body. His seemingly well-rounded skill set portends a high level of success on the regional scene; his call-up to the major leagues seems imminent.
Movsar Evloev
Age: 24
Record: 10-0
Years Pro: 4
Despite being only 24 years old, Evloev has already faced solid completion en route to winning the M-1 bantamweight title. Evloev has an impressive wrestling game and a claustrophobic top game. Unlike many grapplers, Evloev is also comfortable on his feet; he’s not technically brilliant (just yet), but he’s highly capable of finding knockouts. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Evloev is his composure, especially considering his age and relative dearth of experience. He has also shown solid cardio, having gone to the fifth round twice in his career and finishing strong.
Patrick Mix
Age: 25
Record: 9-0
Years Pro: 3
There isn’t much recent tape on Mix but he has accumulated a very impressive record as both an amateur and as a professional. He holds notable wins over UFC bantamweight Andre Ewell and CES bantamweight champion Tony Graverly. Mix is a highly skilled grappler who doesn’t tend to spend too much time on the feet. On the ground, Mix is active, constantly looking to advance to more advantageous positions. ‘Patchy’ is good at taking the back and securing a rear-naked choke, which is how he’s won four times as a professional. At 5”11, Mix is a large bantamweight and looks to be a good athlete as well which suits his grappling-heavy style well.