Saidyokub Kakharamonov
Bantamweight | 24 | Chicago, Illinois, US | 7-2 | Win Streak: 1 | 2 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Saidyokub Kakharamonov is a solid prospect who has won a US open in Judo and is a multiple-time champ in Sambo. He had a few losses that set him back some but those were to Umar Nurmagomedov and Pipe Vargas. In his last fight, he got back on track knocking out Askar Askar who was a hot prospect going into that fight. Many times guys have turned down Saidyokub and really, you can’t blame them.
Cameron Else
Bantamweight | 28 | Broadstairs, England | 10-4 | Win Streak: 6 | 6 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Else may live in the UK but he splits camp between BMF Ranch, his home gym and the famous Jackson-Wink MMA out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has some spectacular wins over Aidan James, Dylan Tuke, and Pady Pimblett — all respected fighters in the UK. He’s a very deserved fighter who the UFC needs to get before Bellator does first.
Taneisha Tennant
Bantamweight | 30 | New York, New York, US | 3-0 | Win Streak: 8 | 1 KO/TKO
Taneisha Tennant made a name for herself earlier in March when she won the Invicta FC Phoenix Series 3 one-night tournament. She’s already thirty but is drastically improving while beating pretty good competition. Tennant could very well fight longer in Invicta but winning a tournament like that could bring bigger opportunities fast.
Cooper Gibson
Lightweight | 30 | California, US | 10-2 | Win Streak: 3 | 2 KO/TKOs, 5 Submissions
Last June Cooper Gibson took out Ricky Palacios, who was on the Contender Series before and was a top prospect. Prior to that fight, Gibson was unknown and still is due to the little footage that exists of him. The competition he’s beat outside of Palacios has been pretty poor but that win alone should get him a look on the Contender Series.
Ary Farias
Bantamweight | 30 | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 9-2 | Win Streak: 4 | 1 KO/TKO, 6 Submissions
Ary Farias is a well-accomplished BJJ ace. He is a BJJ black belt; some of his many accomplishments are 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in 2011, 1st Place IBJJF European Open in 2011, and 1st Place IBJJF World Championship in 2011 and 2016. He’s fought for a top promotion before in ACB and has even fought in the United States for LFA. The UFC goes to Brazil quite often for talent and Farias should be toward the top of the list.
Anthony Romero
Lightweight | 23 | Ontario, Canada | 7-0 | Win Streak: 15 | 2 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Anthony Romero is a no-brainer for a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series as his resume speaks for its self. He’s won multiple titles as an amateur, is 16-1 as a pro and amateur combined, and in his last fight won the Ohio Combat League lightweight championship. As well as being a Taekwondo black belt and a world IBJJF bronze medalist. The only downfall would how many decision wins he has. With that said we are looking for contenders, not finishers (though the latter helps on the show).
Dricus Du Plessis
Middleweight | 26 | Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa | 14-2 | Win Streak: 2 | 5 KO/TKOs, 9 Submissions
Dricus Du Plessis is only 25-years-old. His only losses are to former UFC fighter Garreth McLellan and top prospect Roberto Soldic who he beat first, under the KSW banner. He’s a former dual champion at middleweight and welterweight for EFC and a former KSW welterweight champion.
Honorable Mentions:
Justin Wetzell
Chris Barnett
Sean Santella
Tucker Lutz
Rafael Alves
Nyle Bartling
Brett Martin
Levi Mowles
Ricky Calatayud
Johnny Munhoz Jr
Pat White
Aaron Phillips
