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-calibre prospect, please feel free to let me know in the comments section or on social media.
Roman Kopylov
Age: 27
Record: 8-0
Years Pro: 3
Welcome to one of the UFC’s newest signees! Although we’ve focused on fighters outside of major MMA organizations, Kopylov has yet to fight for The Big Show and is too good to not talk about. Prior to his MMA career, Kopylov competed extensively in combat sambo, picking up numerous awards at national and international levels. Although he is only 8 fights into his professional career, Kopylov carries himself like a veteran inside the cage. Kopylov is mainly a striker and has shown solid takedown defence which allows him to keep the fight in his preferred realm. Kopylov fights out of a southpaw stance and likes throwing left kicks which can hit his opponent’s liver and immediately change the course of the fight. Kopylov is also comfortable countering with combinations. His defence is still a work in progress as he can be hit when his opponents are coming forward and throwing volume. His ground game is still largely an unknown as he does not engage his opponents in grappling exchanges.
Gamzat Khiramagomedov
Age: 25
Record: 7-0
Years Pro: 5
Despite being a decorated combat sambo practitioner, Khiramagomedov prefers to keep the fight standing. He has demonstrated many great tools in the striking department such as his boxing skill: he’s comfortable going forwards and backwards and has a natural understanding of distance. Khiramagomedov also likes to utilise low kicks and occasionally explodes with a flying knee which can catch his opponents off guard. Although he is still young, Gamzat fights very patiently and does not rush to get the finish. Fighting on the Russian regional scene, Khiramagomedov has faced a good level of competition as both a professional and amateur. The experience he has accumulated will help him transition smoothly should he sign with a major promotion in the future.
Bruno Silva
Age: 29
Record: 19-6
Years Pro: 9
A young veteran, Bruno Silva finally had his break out moment in 2018 as he earned three straight knockout wins in Russia over local favourites, including Bellator veteran Alexander Shlemenko and top prospect Artem Frolov. Silva is big for the weight class and tough enough to eat shots without worrying about being finished, allowing him to constantly impose his aggressive game plans. This combination paired with his heavy hands has seen Silva excel in brawls as well as gruelling fights. Most of Silva’s losses as a professional have come by way of submission; he has to improve in this area if he wants to reach his full potential.
Kailan Hill
Age: 24
Record: 4-0
Years Pro: 2
Having turned professional in early 2017, Kailin Hill is an extremely athletic fighter with explosive and creative striking. Hill has already accumulated a spectacular highlight reel with three straight knockouts under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner: a head kick, a flying punch and a spinning back fist. With such a high level of athleticism and power, Hill is likely to soon find himself in the UFC. Hill has shown susceptibility to being taken down which he will need to work on as most of his opponents will not want to stand with him.
Punahele Soriano
Age: 26
Record: 5-0
Years Pro: 2
Coming from a wrestling background, Soriano used to mainly really on his grappling early in his career but has since developed a very dangerous striking game. On the ground, Soriano is very active with his ground-and-pound and has also shown the ability to secure submissions if the opportunity presents itself. On the feet, Soriano excels in wild exchanges where he comes out on top due to his impressive power. Soriano is training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and enjoys a good choice of sparring partners as well as top-level coaching which should see him improve at a quick rate.