Lightweight, Daniel Donchenko
Kyiv, Ukraine
23-years-old
11-2
7 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 73-51
Donchenko is a WAKO K-1 European/World Cup winner and has a pro Kickboxing/Muay Thai record of 18-2. Donchenko trains at Tiger Muay Thai, a renowned gym in Thailand known for producing high-level strikers. He’s on a four-fight win streak winning the Naiza FC title. Donchenko is an excellent striker with legit Muay Thai. To make him even better he has an underrated ground game. His two losses are to a guy he recently beat in a rematch and to Muay Thai star Jimmy Vienot.
Featherweight, Iler Bakhtiyar
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
24-years-old
10-2
4 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 53-24
Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan Bakhtiyar moved to the US a few years ago. He trains out of Valle Flow Striking with a slew of talented fighters. He had success prior to the move to the US and as an amateur, he was a GAMMA world champion. Bakhtiyar lost his US debut but right now it’s the best he’s ever looked. Bakhtiyar is an excellent striker. He has good vision, shot-placement, and throws from various angles. He can sit on the outside and snipe with the kicks. He likes to use spinning attacks and is just unpredictable in general. He throws a good right cross and counters very well. On the inside, he has some nasty relentless Muay Thai. Bakhtiyar would be fun in the UFC.
Flyweight, Maritza Sanchez
Placerville, California, US
26-years-old
6-1
2 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponents’ record: 16-9.
Once Sanchez stops being held against her will under contract with Combate the UFC probably locks her up. Sanchez had an up-and-down amateur career before going pro. She went 5-6 and when she turned pro she lost her debut. Sanchez is now on a six-fight win streak. On the feet is no doubt where Sanchez wants to be. She throws with serious heat getting right after it. Her hands aren’t exactly sharp but she throws with speed, power, and in combinations. I feel confident about Sanchez going to the UFC in 2025.
“Maritza is one of my favorite training partners at TAM. She is hardworking, consistent, and always pushing herself and those around her to be their best. She has proven herself to be an exceptional talent in the MMA scene and her impressive record highlights her readiness for higher competition. Maritza’s aggressive fighting style, combined with her technical prowess in striking and grappling, would add excitement and diversity to the UFC’s women’s flyweight division. As the #1-ranked flyweight contender in Combate Global, her potential to become a title contender in the UFC is clear.” – Teammate, Joy Pendell
Flyweight, Sabrinna de Sousa
Bahrain
24-years-old
2-0
1 KO/TKO, 1 Submission
Combined opponents’ record: 9-3
De Sousa had a better amateur career than some women competing years as a pro. She has won three IMMAF golf medals – two world championships and one European championship. There are a lot of positives you can see with de Souza, and negatives you can’t find. She has spent the majority of her time striking. Her takedown defense has looked stellar and from what I’ve seen of her on the ground, she’s very capable. She actually has more submission victories than anything else. De Souza is a high-level bantamweight who will make a splash as soon as she enters the UFC. The UFC is very quick to sign any serving female 135er so I expect de Sousa to get fast-tracked.
Bantamweight, Mitch McKee
St. Michael, Minnesota, US
26-years-old
8-0
5 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 34-17
McKee was an All-American at the University of Minnesota. He was a four-time NCAA National Qualifier. McKee has been dominant in MMA never being anything less than a -450 favorite outside of his pro debut. You see the upside in his wrestling right away. He’s got an explosive level change and his timing and speed play a big factor in his takedowns. If he can close the distance his strength comes into play big time. Striking is a bit stiff but he has power and has been progressing well.
