Talent pool of MMA improves year by year as these upcoming MMA fighters been training since there was five to ten years old. Improvement last several years is insane basically unrecognizable since 1993. Amazing fighters in Russia, England, Brazil, Eastern Europe that just need that opportunity to fight on the bigger stages.
Completely obssessed with researching the top MMA prospects, created my own list as the top prospects to watch in 2024. Hope all ten of them sign with UFC or PFL in 2024 to show everyone how amazing they are.
Salahdine Parnasse
French underground superstar Salahdine Parnasse is accomplishing amazing MMA victories under the KSW banner. KSW Champ-Champ winning the Featherweight & Lightweight belts.
Jumped on the scene in 2018 and hasn’t stopped since by becoming the pound for pound prospect in 2022 & 2023. Besides being a great prospect my opinion one of the best Featherweight/Lightweight fighters outside of the UFC.
Label Parnasse as the Featherweight version of Leon Edwards.
- Skills
- Counter striking
- Speed skills in fighting
- Real athlete
- Fast hands accurate boxing strikes
- Appreciate him throwing more than 1’s and 2’s.
- Great body kicks mixing up with jabs
- underrated takedowns
- all-around offensive arsenal
KSW definitely paying Parnasse good for him not testing free agency. However MMA wish I have is Parnasse signs with the highest bidder either UFC/PFL. Truly testing himself against the best featherweights in the world.
Love for PFL to sign him as PFL promotional goal is to promote heavier in Europe and Salahdine Parnasse 100% has the superstar quality selling out European arenas.
Islam Omarov
Texas has football, NYC has basketball, Brazil has soccer and Dagestan has fighting. Like it or not but Dagestan is the newest hotbed for MMA constantly developing incredible talent that are destined to become champions.
Hottest prospect Islam Omarov is destined to become UFC champion one day as he’s incredible combat sambo talent.
- 14-0 record
- biggest win against Alikhan Suleymanov
- defeated former PFL fighter 36-4 record
- current ACA Featherweight Champion
- Trains out of Gorets FT
Clear as day remember ACA 120 Islam Omarov vs Bibert Tumenov back in 2021, watching action packed fast paced fight mixed with grappling. I was so impressed with Islam Omarov that fight and haven’t stopped following.
Moving forward in 2023 Islam Omarov dethroned Alikhan Suleymanov for ACA Featherweight title, great accomplishment to be proud about as ACA even though is run by Chechen dictator lol is considered one of the best MMA rosters.
Amazing fighter to watch similar to PFL 2021 Featherweight Champion, Movlid Khaybulaev and Alexander Volkanovski because of the similar fighting styles such as cage wrestling, constant pressure and striking characteristics.
Islam Omarov deserves to fight for UFC or PFL but because of contractual obligations and United States Department of Treasury Sanctioned ACA because of Dictatorship ties. All of us hardcore fans badly wish for this incredible fighter to sign with Major Promotion and show his great champion skills.
Losene Keita
Belgium well known for there soccer/football compared to MMA but ready to showcase Belgium MMA on the map is no other than Losene Keita (“Black Panther”).
Caught my attention after first found finishing highly decorated European champion Ivan Buchinger, back at Oktagon 33 I was like who’s this dude?
Since than accomplished being Oktagon Featherweight Champion by defeating Jakub Tichota, overcame Broken Leg obstacle than regained back his belt. Moving forward into 2024 very curious how Losene Keita goes into his career possibly one or two title defenses? Fulfill Oktagon contract then test out free agency.
Listed as one of my prospects to watch because he’s one all-around talented fighter, hard to find at the regional level. 14 professional fights and throughout his career has tough matchups but always passes the test. Masterpiece performance against Jakub Tichota four round kickboxing domination.
Call me crazy but Losene Keita reminds me of…. Jose Aldo. Yes I said it.
- Reasons for Aldo comparison
- Explosive power
- Strong all-around kickboxing ability
- Fast twitch reactions faster fighter than opponents
- Confidence inside the ring
- Walking down opponents
- Switching stances
Amru Magomedov
Recognized as Islam Makhachev & Usman Nurmagomedov training partners, highly praised about Khabib, Islam and Javier Mendez. Next up about Khabib’s close knit group is Amru Magomedov.
Recently discovered Amru off “Anatomy of a Fighter “ as Islam was training for his second fight with Volkanovski. Amru was preparing for his own UAE Warriors Lightweight Title Fight, and I was extremely impressed with his skills.
Amru truly is Usman Nurmagomedov 2.0 as he has very similar kickboxing/taekwondo fighting style. The accurate kickboxing strikes was beautiful to watch in his title fight.
Only has six professional fights still lot of time to develop, defend his UAE Warriors Lightweight title multiple times against tough competition. Khabib and his camp will help monitor Amru’s career as he’s next in line.
Under the radar in 2023, household name in 2024. Tough title fights against Bruno Azeredo, Anas Siraj Mounir come to mind.
Paul Hughes
Belfast superstar, Main Event Cage Warriors headliner no question one of the best Featherweights in the world outside of the UFC.
Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion defeated the likes of current UFC fighter Morgan Charriere and Jordan Vucenic. Defeating two highly respected featherweight prospects in battle tested victories. Awarded UFC Fight Pass of the Year for his great Cage Warriors title fight against Morgan Charriere.
Last few years diehard MMA fans begging for UFC to sign Paul Hughes, bound to happen in 2024.
Curious what happens with Paul Hughes in 2024? Does he defend his title? Does he sit and wait for the Sean Shelby call when UFC returns to United Kingdom. Curious what happens.
All I know Paul Hughes is super talented featherweight who will quickly become UFC rising star with great finishing wins against respectable opponents.
Richie Lewis
Former Rutgers wrestler and U-23 World Champion Wrestler smartly transferred over to MMA searching for successful MMA career. Sometimes great college wrestlers don’t transition well but Richie Lewis is killing it.
Smartly selected Kill Cliff FC as his home gym training with limitless amount of Lightweight training partners. Developed strongly leading Richie Lewis to become Titan FC Lightweight Champion in his last bout. Leading to Richie Lewis becoming one of the best United States prospects.
“We said it a million times but it bears repeating. Wrestling is the greatest skill to have in MMA because wrestling dictates where the fight takes place. On top of that, amateur wrestling training is so unbelievably grueling that the guys who get through it are the guys who rise to the top are the elite of the elite when it comes to mental toughness. That is a huge part of fighting. Mental toughness and focus and the ability to work hard to achieve goals under exceedingly insurmountable circumstances.”
Joe Rogan On Why Wrestling is the Greatest Skill To Have in MMA (bjjee.com)
Titan FC 83 fight is best expression of what Richie Lewis will bring to the Octagon… constant wrestling pressure, level changing while mixing up standup striking. Five round wrestling domination shows his incredible conditioning to constantly wrestle.
- 5-0 record
- 29 years old
- Training partner with Miguel Baeza, Landon Quinones, Elvin Espinoza
- Traveled to Las Vegas to train with Conor McGregor for five weeks
2024 Richie Lewis without a doubt will put his name on the prospect map as he successfully defends his Titan FC Lightweight Title once or twice against tough competition. Dana White Contender Series returning in 2024 guarantee Riche Lewis will be receiving the call.
Makoto Shinryu
Japan MMA gradually becoming what it once was back during the Pride era. Several MMA fighters leading the next generation of great Japanese fighters, part of next generation is rising star flyweight Makoto Shinryu.
Japan rising star making himself household name last few years from becoming DEEP Flyweight Champion, CFFC Flyweight Champion and now winning fights for Rizin. Great accomplishments for 23 year old kid.
- 16-2 record
- 23 years old
- CFFC and DEEP Flyweight Champion
- Wrestling fighting style
- Skills- Faster fighter than opponents
- Beautiful use of level changing
- Karate style body kicks
- Ability to strike inside clinch with boxing and leg kicks
- Submission offense on the ground
- Beautiful use of submission offense hunting for arm triangles, body triangle control
Opportunity of lifetime facing best Japan’s GOAT Kyoji Horiguchi twice, recently fought at Rizin 45. 2nd round submission loss but held his own against an incredible talent whose eleven years older than him.
Prospect to Watch in 2024 because I’m really curious how his career plays out this year? Rizin schedules him against John Dodson, Justin Scoggins, Hiromasa Ougikubo. Does Shinryu test free agency?
True mixture of Kyoji Horiguchi, Aljamain Sterling, Chad Mendes. Watching his highlights and fights realize how talented the Japan prospect truly is. 100% needs to fix some things from being too risky inside the cage but overall, very bright future ahead of him.
Natasha Kuziutina
Rounda Rousey, Kayla Harrison are two of the most successful Judo players to transfer over to MMA.. Next in line is American Top Team Strawweight Prospect Natasha Kuziutina.
- Bronze Medalist 2016 Summer Olympics
- Silver Medalist 2019 World Championships
- 5 time European Gold Medalist
Natasha Kuziutina highly decorated Judo athlete accomplished everything in the sport of Judo since 2009. Now needs to accomplish something even greater become UFC Strawweight Champion.
Definitely late to the game at 34 years old but UFC always looking for talented new faces in the woman’s division. Perfect marketability for her from competing in Olympic Games, training at American Top Team with Kayla Harrison.
Only has four professional fights but guarantee in 2024 will see Natasha fight on 2024 season of Dana White Contender Series or directly appear on a UFC prelims card.
Last fight won LFA Strawweight Title, time for Natasha to get one more complete fight inside the Legacy Fighting Alliance ring to get more comfortable. Right after that fight on the Dana White Contender Series.
Danni Mccormack
Ireland of course jumped on the MMA scene because of Conor McGregor, showing there’s whole bunch of Irish Warriors such as rising strawweight prospect Danni McCormack.
Coming off career year in 2023 winning Invicta FC Strawweight Title against respected Valesca Machado than defending against one of the best woman’s prospects Karolina Wójcik.
Invicta FC 54 fight against Karolina Wójcik greatly shows her skills and potential for the UFC strawweight division. Danni was dealing adversity throughout the fight but like all champions do deliver under pressure. Delivered an excellent performance continuing to fight hard till the 4th round finish.
- Forward pressure
- Controlling range and distance well
- Fighting with adversity
- Boxing inside the clinch and pocket
- Clinch wrestling control towards fence
- Shooting for takedowns
- Smooth crisp jabs
Seriously impressed with Danni’s skills from the fence control, boxing inside the pocket, throwing 1,2,3 combinations, forward pressure. Gifted with strength but also has toned compact body that she can pressure and control opponents to the cage.
- 8-2 record
- 33 years old
- Trains out of SBG Ireland
- Top 50 Strawweight
- Invicta FC Strawweight Champion
- Bellator 4-1 record
- IMMAF World Champion
- One of the best woman’s prospects 2023
UFC doesn’t like signing fighters at 34 years old but Danni McCormack is an exception. Trains out of SBG Ireland, Conor McGregor strong UFC relationship definitely can help her receive UFC contract before it’s too late.
Maria Silva
Woman’s strawweight division probably deepest talent pool right now as you can watch amazing fighters like Weili Zhang fully display MMA. 10-12 strawweight outside of UFC that will be great additions to the roster. One of them is Maria Silva.
#1 Brazilian Woman’s prospect had short end of stick fighting on Dana White Contender Series win and loss were both unanimous decisions, not going to impress Dana White that way. However, third time’s the charm.
- All-Around MMA fighter
- Best Skills is Muay Thai
- Great job fighting in clinch range
- Beautiful crisp boxing mixed with body skills
- Transitioning out of dangerous grappling positions
- Nasty Muay Thai knees to the body
- Underrated grappling overall
- Takes advantage of his long reach
Maria Silva currently fighting for premier European Promotion, KSW with two straight wins against great prospect competition. Completely dominating Georgian prospect Sofiia Bagishvili with beautiful rear naked choke.
Best performance of her career so far was at ARES FC 4 against top woman’s strawweight prospect Ewelina Woźniak. Absolutely amazing fight full display of MMA from Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu defense, Submission grappling. If Maria Silva brings this level of skills and confidence to the cage she’ll be REAL problem for UFC Strawweight’s.
Listed as one of my prospects to watch because she’s all-around talented fighter just needs to become more “Aggressive” and hunt for the finish more. Next time DWCS offer comes around or short notice fight Maria Silva better take advantage of the opportunity and the rest will be history.
Missed the Cut Prospects
- Giannis Bacchar
- Abdalla Biayda
- Kody Steele
- Bekzat Almakhan
- Badmatsyren Dorzhiev
- An Tuan Ho
- Bibert Tumenov
- Rakhim Midaev
- Ramazonbek Temirov
- Christian Perez
- Jakub Wikłacz
- Luke Fernandez
Billy's MMA Blog 
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