10 Middleweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2023

Chad “Superman” Hanekom

31 | 6’4″ | Sunninghill, South Africa | 9-2 | 7 Finishes | 3 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions | Combined Opponents’ Record: 57-42-1 | Best Win – Leon Aliu (10-2)

Hanekom has been in the sport for a while grinding against fair competition. He started fighting as a pro in 2015 and currently has won his last three. Hanekom is a pure athlete who comes from a background in rugby. He’s been fighting over in Brave CF and has clawed his way up to a UFC contract possibly.

Hanekom is well-rounded but is a better wrestler. On top, he has some slick jiu-jitsu and is a submission threat with four of his six wins by submission. Hanekom hasn’t shown much on the feet yet but is athletic and has shown power with a knockout in his career. He is coming off a brutal knockout landing a nasty elbow.

“I’m a very unique well rounded middleweight. In my nine wins, I have seven stoppages,” he told Cageside Press. “Three KOs that are in three separate ways. Four submission stoppages with four different types of submissions. I don’t only beat my opponents, I change their careers once they’ve fought me… I am a silent South African assassin. A mercenary. Can the UFC handle someone like me? Maybe not…. that’s why I’m yet to sign with them.”