United States talent pool definitely been slacking few years as places like Dagestan, Latin America, Eastern Europe have been taking over the top prospect list but confidently can say the Americans are making a comeback. Regional champions or upcoming fighters from these great gyms have serious potential to become UFC World Champions or PFL World Champions.
1. Phumi Nkuta
Phumi Nkuta next important prospect to train out of Serra-Longo. Next CFFC Champion to have a successful career in the UFC.
- Longo Weidman MMA prospect
- CFFC Flyweight Champion
- Biggest win- Alberto Trujillo
- 7-0 record 28 years old
- Training partner with Aljamain Sterling & Merab Dvalishvili
- Fighting style- Grappler focused, Submission grappling
Jumped on my radar a few years ago after defeating Albert Trujillo back at CFFC 92. Since than always been following now Nkuta CFFC Flyweight Champion. Defeating American Top Team prospect and regional veteran Cleveland Mclean.
- Skills
- Beautiful submission control
- Perfectly timed takedowns
- Lateral quickness
- Crisp Sweet Jab
- Executes basic 1 & 2 combinations
- Comparison- Flyweight version of Aljamain Sterling
Future UFC signing as 2024 season of Dana White Contender Series is upon us and no doubt because of training with the great Bantamweight fighters like Aljamain Sterling and Merab he’ll make strong impression on Dana White.
“If you really know fighting, you can show any flyweight fight, the majority of flyweight fights, to people who have never seen the sport and they’re going to love it. I’m the most entertaining, most charismatic, the best flyweight fighter in the world today.”
https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Sherdog-Prospect-Watch-Phumi-Nkuta-192940
Expect Phumi Nkuta have very successful 2024 season predicting CFFC Flyweight Title defense than possibly DWCS opportunity. Accomplishing his dream of becoming UFC fighter.
2. Austin Bashi
Rising star in the United States prospect scene is one talented Bantamweight fighter coming out of Michigan.. Jumped on the scene a few years ago in 2022 making his Lights Out Championship Debut.
Undefeated 11-0 Bantamweight prospect with strong resume of wins defeating underrated Bantamweight prospect Askar Askar, bare knuckle fighter Joe Penafiel.
Austin Bashi current Lights Out Bantamweight Champion at 22 years old. Accomplished everything for the promotion from winning and selling out local arenas love to see Bashi sign with LFA fighting on a bigger stage.
Every fighter’s dream is to become UFC fighter small percentage make it but no doubt Austin Bashi will accomplish his dream.
Confidently believe Bashi can defeat the lower level UFC prelim Bantamweights because of his all-around skills from the wrestling background to kickboxing setups. However even tho he can, very maturely decided to cross train at Xtreme Couture testing his skills with the best Bantamweights in the world.
3. Julius Holmes
My opinion one of the most underrated MMA gyms in the world not just United States is Fortis MMA. Part of the next crop of Fortis MMA prospects is like Welterweight talent Julius Holmes.
Julius Holmes strong record of 10-2 with a great 10 fight winning streak best decision was fighting for Texas promotion Fury FC. Holmes headlining two events and facing tough competition.
- 10-2 record
- 30 years old
- Trains at Fortis MMA
- Beautiful southpaw boxing ability
- Strong offensive submissions
- Physically strong
- Counter striker
Improving with great training partners like Geoff Neal, Kyle Crutchmer, Alex Morono on daily basis will only make him a better fighter. Sharpening his tools, challenging himself during sparring sessions will only make his skills better preparing him for the UFC or PFL.
Definitely believe with Julius Holmes southpaw boxing ability, physical presence and great coaching by Sayif Saud he’ll have long UFC career.
4. Mitchell McKee
Wrestling is the key background in MMA limitless amount of great MMA Champions from Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Alexander Volkanovski, Matt Hughes and many others had wrestling backgrounds.
Upcoming Kill Cliff FC prospect Mitchell Mckee had great wrestling credentials at Minnesota University being Four Time NCAA Qualifier, NCAA All-American. Competing in the highly competitive gritty field of wrestling since he was five or six years old lead to the cage being one of the best Bantamweight prospects in 2024.
“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. ” Joe Rogan
- 5-0, 26 years old
- All-American Wrestling Skills
- Explosive Power
- Blitzing ability
- Throwing 1/2 combinations while pressing forward
- Great job throwing rights 2x-3x than shooting for takedowns
- Strong conditioning
- Physically strong
Training with great fighters down at Kill Cliff FC during training sessions and daily basis will improve his overall MMA skills dramatically, listening to advice from Usman, Chandler, Burns will add those championship level fundamentals and mental skills. Having great coaches like Henri Hooft and Logan Storley in the coaching corner will help maximize his MMA potential!!
Skies the limit for Mitch Mckee great wrestling skills, explosive power like Chandler and being a new husband/father will only drive him to become best Bantamweight possible. Genuinely looking forward to his 2024 season with LFA and hopefully with Dana White Contender Series.
5. Roberto Hernandez
One of the most underrated prospects is Cage Warriors main card fighter Roberto Hernandez. California born and raised doesn’t get the respect he deserves probably because doesn’t have credential wrestling, kickboxing champion or come from world class gym but boy he can fight.
Respect his resume defeating former UFC fighter Trevin Jones, John De Jesus and Toby Misech. All former UFC or Bellator fighters. Last fight was loss against #1 UK Bantamweight and Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion Liam Gittins. Holding his own losing in the 5th round.
UFC fighters are usually pulling out, fighters may not be available Shelby or Maynard can contact Roberto’s manager and ask for a fight. Believe right now Roberto Hernandez can defeat the lower level UFC Bantamweights or challenge.
- 30 years old 9-2 record
- Biggest win- Trevin Jones
- Skills
- Range movement- slipping inside and out striking
- Beautiful body shots from hooks to the body
- Smart striking defense IQ avoiding the heavy strikes
- Smooth jabs
- Underrated all-around Jiu-Jitsu game (top position control)
- Comparison- Juan Archuleta and Jack Shore
6. Paris Moran
Fury FC Superstar and Fury FC Flyweight Champion made a name for himself in the last few years. Defeating former Fury FC Champion and CFFC Champion Alberto Trujillo in excellent performance.
Watch the FURY FC 82 Main Event fight against Trujillo can view Moran perfectly controlling the range, pace and setups of the fight. Executing with straight accurate jabs, body kicks, slipping inside and out. Striking attack/game plan reminds me of Cory Sandhagen.
- 10-2 record 26 years old
- Fury FC Flyweight Champion
- Comparison- Cory Sandhagen, Nathaniel Wood
- Wuhsu Sanda fighting style
- Long range striking
- Accurate boxing combinations
- Smooth low body kicks
- Striking defense IQ
- Clinch defense and Jiu-Jitsu defense
- underrated top pressure and back attack submission control
On the doorstep one call away from signing UFC contract, accomplishing his dream of becoming UFC fighter. Accomplished everything down at Fury FC winning Flyweight title, being face of the promotion. Time to maximize his UFC career in his prime years.
“The UFC is really the goal,” Moran said. “I’m thankful for Eric Garcia and Richard Burmaster and the platform they’ve given me to showcase my skills but, at the end of the day, I need to get to the UFC, I need to get paid and I need to start making my mark and my legacy.”
https://www.ufc.com/news/paris-moran-becoming-fury-fcs-urijah-faber-ufc-fight-pass?language_content_entity=en
Seven Time Sanda National Champion, Wushu Sanda US member having those world class striking credentials different style of striking definitely will be winning factor in his future UFC fights. Zhang Weili, Joshua Pacio, Zabit Magomedsharipov all come from the Sanda background. Paris Moran can be the next great Sanda fighter who has a successful UFC career.
7. Luis Gurule
Rising Flyweight prospect jumping on the scene in 2023 fighting for Fury FC because of the strong win against New England Cartel member Carlos Lozoya and Gerardo Graniel. (Combate Global fighter)
- 7-0 30 years old
- Muay Thai Fighting Style
- Powerful punching power for flyweight
- Focuses fighting in tight range
- Beautiful Muay Thai style leg kicks
- Crisp smooth boxing combinations
- No wasted movement in his strikes
- Underrated takedown defense
- Comparison- Jonathan Martinez
Short stocky compact flyweight showing off his nasty Muay Thai fighting style in his Fury FC fights. Fearlessly walking down his opponents overhand rights and leg kicks. Fights against Carlos Lozoya & Johnathan Davis show his overall offense from wrestling and ground & pound. Luis Gurule gonna be serious problem
Upcoming bout is against former Fury FC and Cage Fury FC Flyweight Champion Alberto Trujillo. Win against Trujillo expect Luis to challenge Paris Moran for the Fury FC Flyweight Title great fight for regional promotion.
Luis Gurule
8. Jacobe Smith
2024 UFC Fight Pass Fighter to Watch is former All-American Wrestler out of Oklahoma State is translating his wrestling success into the ring with six first round KO’s. Undefeated 8-0 record at 28 years old promoted as UFC Fight Pass Fighter to Watch.
- 28 years old 8-0 record
- 2x Big 12 Champion Wrestler
- 2017-2018 All-American Wrestler
- Skills- Explosive power
- One punch KO Power
- Three round cardio
- Simple effective striking
- Comparison- Tyron Woodley, Rashad Evans “potentially”
Rising star because of his first round finishes would be bonafide star UFC/PFL Welterweight Division. Fits the superstar bill because of his unreal KO power, Real athlete body and marketing story coming from college wrestling powerhouse Oklahoma State University where some wrestlers like Daniel Cormier, Randy Couture, Johnny Hendricks become UFC Champions.
Jacobe Smith without doubt becomes the next successful Oklahoma State University wrestler to successfully transition into MMA and next successful Fortis MMA product to have great success following teammates Brandon Moreno, Urijah Hall, Geoff Neal, Diego Ferriera.
“I can win rounds against him with my striking pedigree and just baiting him with my wrestling. I’ll steal rounds away from him every now and then. If I’m competing with Geoff, I know I can compete with any of the top fighters.” Jacobe Smith said https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/jacobe-smith-osu-wrestling-fighting-ufc-dreams
9. Luke Fernandez
CFFC one of the best promotions in the world continues to breed great fighters like Aljamain Sterling, Sean Brady, Joe Pyfer, Merab Dvalishvili to name a few. Next up is CFFC Light Heavyweight Champion Luke Fernandez.
- 3-0 (30 years old)
- CFFC Light Heavyweight Champion
- Elizabeth Town Wrestler winning Northshore wrestler of the year
- Similar fighting style to Corey Anderson
- Room to improve fine tuning basic striking but wrestling will be a problem
Trains out of underrated gym Dante Rivera BJJ sparring partners with Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson, Karl Roberson to name a few. Traveling down to Marquez MMA training with Joe Pyfer.
Iron sharpens Iron” is true as time, daily training with one of the best fighters in the world only make you a better fighter. Hearing the words of wisdom and lessons from Corey Anderson only make you a better person and understanding the perspective of MMA career. Corey Anderson taking Luke Fernandez under his wing.
Luke Fernandez comes from the most valuable background wrestling, competing at Elizabethtown College 35-4 record in his senior year. Originating from wrestling only help in the long term climbing up the top of the MMA mountain.
Dana White Contender Series and PFL Challenger Series are mapping out their 2024 season. Luke Fernandez is one prospect both promotions will be calling as the talent pool of Light Heavyweight is thin.
10. An Tuan Ho
Vietnamese immigrant An Tuan Ho living the American Dream finding his lifelong passion and purpose in MMA. Becoming one of the fastest rising prospects in 2023/2024 and potential to become the first Vietnamese UFC success story.
- 6-0 (23 years old) Flyweight
- MMA Lab trainee
- UFC Fight Pass Fighter to Watch
- Best Skill- Taekwondo or Kickboxing (Mid Range)
- Phenomenal Striker
- Beautiful job switching stances fluidly
- Cutting angles quickly
- Constant fading making opponent calculate decisions
- Level changing for takedowns
- Sharp striking skills from 3-4 combos to sneaky body kicks
- Underrated striking defense slipping away from strikes
Next success story out of MMA Lab learning from underrated coach John Crouch, training with Benson Henderson, Sean O’Malley before he left with Tim Welch, Kyler Phillips, Mario Bautista, Marcus McGhee, and Clayton Carpenter. Training with UFC Bantamweight/Flyweight killers on daily basis only sharpen his tools and become All-Around fighter.
“I look up to all those guys and try to learn as much as I can,” Ho said. “I’m really grateful to be able to train over at The Lab. I love it. Everyone there is just so good, and it forces you to get better. ” An Tuan Ho said https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Sherdog-Prospect-Watch-An-Tuan-Ho-193428
“I feel like I’m constantly growing,” said Ho. “I still have a lot to learn, but this is all that I do, so every day it’s growing and be a better version of myself than I was yesterday.” An Tuan Ho said https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/an-tuan-ho-heads-into-lfa-158-with-ufc-dreams#google_vignette
Fought his whole career for LFA but consistently having strong finishing wins with highlight reel KO’s or getting the tested whole fight for example last fight against Miguel Sanson, tested in the grappling department. Beautiful display of his MMA art form Taekwondo slicing apart another opponent Kendrick Latchman at LFA 168.
An Tuan Ho announced on social media will make his Dana White Contender Series debut on August 13th. Main goal for Dana White is discovering stars. Found Sean O Malley and Jamahal Hill off the show and will discover first Vietnamese star An Tuan Ho.
Missed the cut
Richie Lewis, Ernesto Rodriguez, Malcom Wellmaker, Hector Saenz, Lazaro Dayron, Kody Steele, Robert Varricchio, Nick Piccininni and Bella Mir.
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