Ground Zero Spotlight

Top Five MMA Prospects to Watch That Will Make an Impact

Amru Magomedov

  • Record:9-0
  • Division-Lightweight
  • Style- Dagestani wrestling base + smooth patient striking
  • 26 years old
  • UAE Warriors Lightweight Champion

Part of the new wave of Dagestani/Khabib Academy fighters who aren’t just wrestlers. They can strike. They can defend they can adapt mid-fight. And they don’t burn energy.

Amru Magomedov already showing glimpses fighting like a veteran champion, no panic, no wasted movement. Fighting like a UFC PRO.

Trains with Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagedov two of the best Lightweights in the world on a daily basis as Amru is next in line just give it time. Amru building his career at UAE Warriors defeating tough talent that lead to winning UAE Warriors Lightweight Title. With Khabib’s name, Ali Abdelaziz(MMA Manager) got the blessing of a PFL contract.

What Makes Him Special?

  1. The Balance between wrestling and striking
  2. FIGHT IQ
  3. Cardio you can trust
  4. Perfect Long and lengthy body

Future Outlook: High Ceiling, Realistic Path.

Magomedov isn’t gonna be just another PFL Lightweight, truly believe Amru will become PFL Lightweight Champion as the opponents will have a tough time with his all-around skills as he continues to improve hitting his prime. . Genuinely looking forward to his PFL debut assuming will be in the Middle East. Watch out for his 2026 campaign.

Marko BojKovic

Marko Bojković is rapidly carving out a reputation as one of Eastern Europe’s most dangerous MMA prospects. Fighting out of Serbia’s Ahilej Fighting Academy, the 24-year-old boasts a professional record of 8-2-0 and is a certified finisher, making him a prime target for major international organizations like the UFC.

Finishing Rate & Style: The Knockout Power

Bojković’s biggest selling point is his relentless aggression and fight-ending power, reflected in his 87.5% win finish rate (via KO/TKO or Submission).

  • Striking Prowess: Bojković is celebrated for his power striking, both on the feet and on the mat. He has several brutal knockouts, including a highlight-reel flying knee finish and a devastating one-punch KO against Sahil Siraj. He seeks to crush his opponents from the opening bell.
  • Offensive Grappling: While he loves to strike, he is a true Mixed Martial Artist. His game is complete with strong wrestling, heavy top pressure, and a submission threat, evidenced by his wins via Rear-Naked Choke and Armbar. This well-roundedness ensures he can finish a fight no matter where it goes.

📈 Career Trajectory: Tested Early and Often

Fighting primarily under the Fight Nation Championship (FNC) banner in the Lightweight (and occasionally Catchweight/Featherweight) divisions, Bojković has not padded his record.

  • Willing to Take Steps Up: He has taken on experienced fighters with winning records early in his career, demonstrating a genuine desire for high-level competition rather than “can crushing.”
  • Recent Activity: Bojković is active, competing multiple times a year. His latest fight was a decision loss against the experienced Donovan Desmae at FNC 25 (November 29, 2025), a competitive contest that further tested him against veteran talent. Prior to that, he had a dominant five-fight finishing streak, including four stoppages.

🌟 Future Outlook: Cracking the UFC Roster

At just 24 years old, Bojković is still years away from his physical and technical peak, yet he is already operating at a high regional level.

  • UFC Ready? Analysts and fans view him as a blue-chip prospect who could be a prime candidate for a Contender Series invitation or a direct contract offer. His high finishing rate and exciting, aggressive style are exactly what the UFC is looking for in a prospect.
  • Potential: With his blend of knockout power and strong offensive grappling, he has the foundation to potentially crack the Top 20 of the Lightweight division in the coming years.

Asaf Chopurov

If you are looking for the next Bantamweight to explode onto the global scene, look no further than Asaf Chopurov. This 24-year-old dynamo from Azerbaijan isn’t just undefeated—he’s dominating, and widely regarded as one of the very best 135-pound prospects competing outside of the UFC and PFL.

The King of the Regionals

Chopurov’s resume speaks for itself. He is the current UAE Warriors Bantamweight Champion, a title he secured by defeating African MMA legend and multi-division champion Demarte Pena.

  • Professional Record: A pristine 9 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws.
  • Finishing Rate: A terrifying 88.9% (8 out of 9 wins are finishes).
  • Elite Pedigree: He is an IMMAF Junior World Champion with an astonishing 21-bout winning streak spanning his pro and amateur careers, proving his talent is deeply rooted and battle-tested.

⚙️ The Mechanics of a Menace

Dubbed “The Honey Badger” for his relentless, fearless approach, Chopurov’s fighting style is a nightmare for opponents.

  • Sambo Assassin: His base is Combat Sambo, giving him an unparalleled level of wrestling, takedowns, and ferocious top control. He doesn’t just hold positions; he uses punishing ground-and-pound to set up submissions.
    • Signature Finish: His Rear-Naked Choke has claimed multiple victims, but he also boasts finishes via TKO, including a powerful Knee and Punches stoppage against Zaydullo Zaydulloev.
  • Tested by the Best: He has already dismantled several quality veterans and top regional names, including a quick TKO of top Russian bantamweight Denis Lavrentyev and an RNC finish of Su Sung Cho Gotoh. He actively seeks out tough competition.

📈 Knocking on the UFC’s Door

Every time Asaf Chopurov steps into the cage, it is an audition for the next level. His aggressive style, perfect record, high finishing rate, and major championship status make him an irresistible target for global promoters.

At 24, he is only now entering his prime fighting years. With the depth of the UFC’s Bantamweight division, a talent with Chopurov’s pedigree and finishing instincts could inject immediate excitement and fresh matchups into the roster.

The question isn’t if he will get the call, but when he will answer it.

Vinicius Pires

Vinicius Pires is a top-tier Brazilian Bantamweight prospect who has made a significant impact on the American regional scene, particularly within the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA)—the UFC’s primary feeder league. Known for his aggressive grappling and confidence, Pires is clearly aiming for the next level.

ires is a former LFA Bantamweight World Champion, a prestigious title that has often served as a direct gateway to the UFC.

  • Professional Record: A strong 9 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws (Note: One of his losses was a long time ago, and he also has a recent loss in an LFA title defense, which adjusted his perfect streak).
  • Signature Victory: He recently submitted Lionel Abojer via Rear-Naked Choke to capture the LFA title, a win that earned him a nomination for “Submission of the Year.”

Current Status & Next Step

Pires is a fighter who has been actively calling out Dana White and pushing for a UFC contract, indicating he believes he is ready for the biggest stage.

  • Recent Title Change: While he initially captured the LFA belt in March 2025, he recently lost it to Artem Belakh in November 2025 via Unanimous Decision at LFA 222.
  • The Path Forward: The loss is a learning moment, but Pires remains one of the most exciting Brazilian prospects in the division. He will likely need one more definitive, spectacular win against a top LFA contender to prove he is ready to rebound and secure his spot in the UFC. His willingness to take tough fights and his high finish rate make him an attractive pickup.

Islam Omarov

Islam Omarov is arguably one of the most dominant and highly-rated prospects competing outside of the UFC and PFL today. Fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, the 28-year-old Featherweight has compiled an impeccable professional record and is known for his relentless, grappling-heavy style.

Omarov has established himself as a dominant force in one of the world’s toughest regional circuits, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA).

Undefeated 16-0 record ACA Featherweight Champion only 28 years old.

Fighting Style: Dagestani Grappling Pressure

Omarov’s nickname, “T-34”, references a famously rugged Russian tank, which perfectly describes his approach to MMA: overwhelming, unbreakable pressure.

  • Elite Wrestling and Grappling: Like many top fighters from Dagestan, Omarov’s foundation is his wrestling. He is a power wrestler with the physical strength and explosiveness to secure takedowns against the cage or in scrambles, often chain-wrestling until his opponent is on the mat.
  • Dominant Top Control: Once the fight hits the floor, Omarov is a nightmare. He maintains heavy top pressure, making it incredibly difficult for opponents to escape or reverse position.
  • Submission Specialist: His ground game is highly offensive, leading to numerous submission finishes, primarily via Rear-Naked Choke and Guillotine Choke. He has recently secured submission victories over Kurban Taygibov (Guillotine Choke) and Alexey Polpudnikov (Rear-Naked Choke) at ACA events in 2024.

Ready for the Global Stage

Omarov has repeatedly defeated high-level competition, including former champions and top-ranked regional fighters, proving he is more than just a prospect.

  • Champion Caliber: He has successfully defended his titles in ACA, proving his consistent performance against quality opposition like Alikhan Suleymanov and Bibert Tumenov.
  • UFC Comparisons: His style, characterized by grinding pressure that melts defensive efforts, often draws comparisons to the legendary grappling approach of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
  • The Next Step: Having cleaned out the top of the competitive ACA Featherweight division, Omarov is viewed by many analysts as a Top 25 Featherweight globally, and one of the most immediate “must-sign” talents outside of the major North American promotions.

Conclusion: Future is Already Here

When you look at these five prospects you’re not just seeing “potential” you’re seeing fighters who are already sharpening the edges of the next MMA era. Each of them bring something to the cage, elite grit, elite grappling from wrestling to jiu-jitsu, regional dominance. Five hungry lions that will make an impact in 2026!

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