Two years ago, we took a look at the top five prospects in MMA, nation by nation. This year, we’re back with another look at some of the best up-and-coming talents in the business.
For our latest edition, we head to Sweden, which has produced the likes of Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi, and Khamzat Chimaev over the years.
Our original Scouting the Globe series singled out the following five Swedish talents:
- Khamzat Chimaev who is singed to the UFC, 5-0 in the cage, and ranked #3 at welterweight.
- Herdem Alacabek who hasn’t fought since 2019.
- Andreas Gustafsson who signed with KSW, lost in his debut, and hasn’t fought since 2020.
- Karl Albrektsson who is signed with Bellator MMA and is 2-1 for them.
- Amir Albazi who is signed with the UFC, 2-0 in the cage, and ranked #11 at 125.
Straweight, Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (4-0)
Khutsson is one of my favorite female prospects. She just fought on the Road to the UFC in Singapore and won under those big lights. Knutsson has an extensive kickboxing career. Her kickboxing record is 27-5 and she has beat girls like Mellony Geugjes and Kana Morimoto.
Knutsson also has a background in amateur Muay Thai and was the 2018 IFMA World Championships gold medallist. Knutsson will always have her takedown defense tested, and so far she hasn’t been taken down at all. Instead, Knutsson has been the one to get takedowns. She fights with a lot of volume, feints, and power. She also throws combinations alone with her kicks, but her striking altogether is excellent.
Knutsson could very possibly be the real deal.
