The Top 20 South American MMA Prospects to Watch in 2025
South America has long been a hotbed for martial arts talent. Brazil’s jiu-jitsu legacy, Peru’s scrappy strikers, Colombia’s surging regional promotions, and Ecuador’s tough wrestlers have created a breeding ground for the next wave of fighters. While some names have already reached the global spotlight, this list focuses on true prospects — fighters still building their legacies in regional circuits, but who have the potential to break through in the next few years.
Below are the 20 top prospects in South America, spotlighting the fighters to watch as the continent’s MMA scene continues to grow.
Colombia: The New Frontier of South American MMA
1. Juan Pablo Gómez (Bantamweight, 5–1)
One of Colombia’s brightest prospects, Gómez has quickly become a staple in Empire MMA. His sharp boxing and improving ground game have him ranked among Latin America’s top young fighters. With discipline and composure beyond his years, Gómez looks poised to break into bigger markets soon.
2. Jhon “Tacha” Rodríguez (Featherweight)
Known for his explosive pressure and toughness, Rodríguez has built a reputation as a fan favorite in Colombia. He thrives in brawls but has shown steady improvements in fight IQ and wrestling defense.
3. Francisco Hernández (Lightweight)
A well-rounded fighter with crisp striking, Hernández is part of the wave of Colombian talent redefining the country’s MMA scene. His patience and composure inside the cage have marked him as a reliable finisher.
4. Carlos Tardio
Tardio the Bolivian has been crushing it and is ready for the big show. Tardio has the tools to become a breakout name. His aggressive Muay Thai base and gritty approach make him one of Colombia’s most intriguing wild cards.
5. Alejandro Méndez (Bantamweight)
Training out of Medellín, Méndez brings a blend of flashy striking and underrated grappling. He’s already beaten several more experienced opponents and continues to sharpen his skills.
6. Sergio Fuentes (Flyweight)
Compact, fast, and technical, Fuentes is a native of Barranquilla who thrives in scrambles. A local favorite, he’s positioned for a breakout if he continues his momentum.
Peru: A Nation of Underdogs
7. Cristian Salazar (Featherweight)
A product of Peru’s gritty regional circuit, Salazar has a reputation for being nearly impossible to finish. His conditioning and resilience make him a dangerous matchup for anyone.
8. Andres Paredes (Lightweight)
A volume striker with a granite chin, Paredes embodies the toughness of Peruvian fighters. He’s polished his wrestling defense, making him more versatile than ever.
9. Gabriel Herrera (Bantamweight)
Dynamic and flashy, Herrera represents the newer generation of Peruvian talent. With a high-output striking style, he’s one to watch for highlight-reel finishes.
Chile: Growing Fast
10. Matías Rojas (Lightweight)
Coming from Santiago, Rojas has quickly become one of Chile’s most recognizable regional stars. His rangy striking and kicking arsenal set him apart in South America’s crowded lightweight scene.
11. Luis Arancibia (Middleweight)
A pressure-heavy fighter, Arancibia relies on his wrestling and ground control. He’s developing the skills to compete with international competition in the near future.
Ecuador: Tough and Rising
12. Jorge Castillo (Featherweight)
Built on wrestling and relentless cardio, Castillo represents the Ecuadorian grit. His grinding pace makes him a nightmare matchup for strikers.
13. Daniel Velez (Lightweight)
Young and technical, Velez has shown poise against veterans of the Ecuadorian circuit. His boxing-heavy style paired with underrated jiu-jitsu make him dangerous.
Brazil: Still the Heart of South American MMA
Even though Brazil has produced countless champions, its regional circuits remain stacked with prospects.
14. Aieza Bertolso (Strawweight, 19–0)
Still undefeated, Bertolso has built her name in LFA. She’s a future star in the making, with a polished striking game and relentless forward pressure.
15. José Delano (Featherweight)
A young athlete with crisp boxing and strong grappling defense, Delano is considered one of the most complete fighters outside the UFC.
16. Lucas Almeida Jr. (Lightweight)
A dangerous finisher, Almeida Jr. thrives on aggression. He’s young but already gaining attention for his knockout power.
17. Rafael Gomes (Welterweight)
Hailing from São Paulo, Gomes is a product of Brazil’s tough regional leagues. His balanced game and willingness to fight anyone make him an exciting prospect.
18. Fernanda Silva (Flyweight)
Silva has carved a path in regional women’s MMA, combining strong judo with developing boxing. She’s considered one of Brazil’s most promising female fighters.
Honorable Mentions
19. Mario Díaz (Colombia, Lightweight) – A slick grappler with surprising hands.
20. Rodrigo Lemos (Brazil, Featherweight) – A pressure-heavy striker still sharpening his ground game.
Closing Thoughts
South America’s MMA future is no longer defined only by Brazil. Countries like Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador are surging with young talent, fueled by promotions like Empire MMA that provide fighters a platform to grow.
Fighters like Juan Pablo Gómez, Jhon Tacha, Francisco Hernández, and Carlos Tardio are not just prospects; they represent the dawn of a new South American MMA era. With the right opportunities, they—and many others on this list—could soon be the continent’s next global stars.
