WORLD MMA NEWS TOP 25 MMA PROSPECTS UNDER 25 (International – Non-UFC / Non-PFL)
WORLD MMA NEWS
TOP 25 MMA PROSPECTS UNDER 25
(International – Non-UFC / Non-PFL)
No rankings. No hype order. Just the fighters shaping the next era.
Juan Pablo “Juanpa” Gomez – Colombia (Empire MMA)
At just 24 years old, Gomez has emerged as one of the most explosive bantamweight prospects in South America. With multiple emphatic stoppages in 2025 and a rapidly growing finish rate, Juanpa blends sharp boxing, composure, and a developing all-around MMA game. What separates him from many peers is his ability to manufacture finishes rather than chase them, showing patience well beyond his years. As Empire MMA continues to gain international visibility, Gomez looks like a legitimate breakout prospect poised for global attention.
Ibragim Ibragimov – Dagestan
Part of the next generation of Dagestani talent, Ibragimov represents an evolution of the region’s trademark wrestling-heavy style. He combines suffocating top control with increasingly aggressive ground-and-pound, actively looking to damage rather than simply dominate position. His physical maturity and tactical awareness already resemble those of a seasoned professional, and as his striking continues to sharpen, his ceiling appears exceptionally high.
Khasan Magomedsharipov – Russia
One of the most naturally gifted young strikers in global MMA, Magomedsharipov fights with creativity, timing, and fluidity that immediately stand out. He uses range well, mixes attacks unpredictably, and shows a comfort level in striking exchanges rarely seen at his age. Continued development in grappling defense and positional awareness will determine just how fast he ascends, but the raw tools are undeniable.
Paul Hughes – Ireland
Hughes already fights with the composure of a veteran despite still being under 25. His game is built around clean boxing fundamentals, intelligent shot selection, and disciplined grappling. Rather than relying on chaos or athleticism alone, Hughes systematically breaks opponents down over the course of a fight. That maturity makes him one of the most “plug-and-play” prospects on this list.
Jakub Wikłacz – Poland
A high-level grappler with a championship temperament, Wikłacz excels at controlling pace, position, and momentum. He rarely puts himself in bad spots and consistently forces opponents to fight his fight. While his grappling remains his strongest weapon, his steady improvements in striking suggest a well-rounded future that could translate smoothly to the highest levels of competition.
Baysangur Chamsoudinov – Caucasus
Physically imposing and mentally tough, Chamsoudinov thrives in grinding, physically demanding fights. His pressure-based style wears opponents down through clinch work, control, and constant engagement. As he continues to develop more offensive urgency and finishing instincts, he becomes an increasingly dangerous long-term prospect.
Saku Mäntylä – Finland
Mäntylä is a technically clean striker with excellent balance and fight IQ. He manages distance intelligently, avoids unnecessary exchanges, and stays composed even when fights get competitive. While not flashy, his efficiency and discipline make him a consistent winner and a difficult matchup for a wide range of styles.
Darragh Kelly – Ireland
An aggressive, forward-pressing fighter, Kelly brings constant pressure and genuine finishing instincts. He forces opponents to make decisions under stress and thrives in high-tempo fights. As his defensive responsibility and pacing continue to improve, Kelly’s natural aggression could become a major asset rather than a liability.
Ciaran Clarke – Ireland
Clarke is a fast-rising prospect known for his strong grappling and ability to capitalize in scrambles. He transitions well between positions and has a knack for turning small advantages into dominant control. With continued striking development, Clarke has the tools to become a well-rounded threat.
Sebastiano Piersanti – Italy
A chaos-driven finisher with notable athletic upside, Piersanti thrives in unpredictable exchanges. He fights with confidence, presses the action early, and is comfortable taking risks. Refining his patience without sacrificing aggression will be key to unlocking his full potential.
Renat Khavalov – Central Asia
Khavalov is a relentless pressure fighter who overwhelms opponents through pace, clinch work, and conditioning. He thrives in physically demanding fights and maintains a high output across all rounds. As his tactical patience improves, his effectiveness scales quickly.
Nikola Joksović – Serbia
Joksović brings physical toughness, solid fundamentals, and a growing comfort level in extended exchanges. He doesn’t shy away from adversity and shows composure in competitive fights. Exposure to higher-level competition will be the next step in his development.
Kerim Engizek – Germany
A disciplined and methodical fighter, Engizek understands how to win rounds and control fights. He prioritizes positioning, decision-making, and consistency over highlight moments. That approach gives him strong long-term viability at higher levels.
Oumar Sy – France / Africa
Sy is an explosive athlete with modern MMA dimensions—length, speed, and power. He excels in open exchanges and uses his physical tools well, particularly early in fights. Continued technical refinement will determine how quickly he rises.
Abdoul Abdouraguimov – France / Africa
A relentless grappler with strong positional control, Abdouraguimov excels at dictating where the fight takes place. His physicality and composure make him extremely difficult to deal with once he establishes control on the mat.
Kenta Takizawa – Japan
Takizawa is a high-tempo striker who thrives in fast-paced, action-heavy fights. His willingness to engage creates constant danger, and his confidence in exchanges keeps opponents under pressure. Continued grappling development remains the key area of growth.
Hiroba Minowa – Japan
Technically sharp and difficult to control, Minowa excels in scrambles and transitional moments. His adaptability allows him to adjust mid-fight, making him effective against a wide range of opponents and styles.
Adrian Lee – Singapore
Still early in his career, Lee already shows elite composure and fight awareness. His grappling instincts and calm decision-making suggest a very high ceiling if he continues to be developed patiently and strategically.
Victor Altamirano – Latin America
Altamirano is a well-rounded prospect with strong cardio and a solid understanding of fight pacing. He thrives in competitive, high-output fights and consistently improves from performance to performance.
Manuel Gaxha – Argentina
A gritty pressure fighter with solid grappling fundamentals, Gaxha represents the next wave of Argentine MMA talent. His toughness and work rate make him difficult to outwork over three rounds.
Moustapha Diakité – West Africa
An explosive athlete with a wrestling-heavy base, Diakité possesses exceptional raw physical tools. His rapid learning curve and improving technical foundation make him one of Africa’s most intriguing young prospects.
Hamza Kooheji – Bahrain
Kooheji benefits from the Middle East’s growing MMA infrastructure, showing discipline, composure, and solid fundamentals. He rarely looks overwhelmed and continues to mature with each outing.
Jan Ciepłowski – Poland
A calm, positional fighter with strong decision-making, Ciepłowski excels at controlling tempo and minimizing mistakes. His steady approach suggests long-term success as competition increases.
Sami Assuied – MENA
A fast, scrappy prospect with strong conditioning, Assuied thrives in chaotic exchanges and transitional moments. His comfort in disorder makes him dangerous late in fights.
Felipe Lima – Brazil
A modern Brazilian prospect, Lima blends traditional grappling strengths with sharper, more efficient striking than past generations. His adaptability and finishing instincts stand out as he continues to climb.
FINAL SCOUT TAKE
This group reflects where MMA is heading: younger, more technically complete, and far more adaptable. Fighters like Juan Pablo Gomez, Paul Hughes, Jakub Wikłacz, Ibragim Ibragimov, and Adrian Lee are no longer distant projects—they’re approaching the threshold of global relevance.
The gap between prospect and contender has never been smaller, and over the next 12 to 24 months, several names on this list are likely to emerge as legitimate international forces.
