Welterweight, Michael Oliveira
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
26-years-old
8-0
7 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 32-15-2
Oliveira is a legit prospect being one of the best strikers out of Brazil currently. While being an MMA fighter he’s also a paratrooper in the Brazilian Army. He’s carved out a path in LFA as his last six fights have been for them and he’s finished five of them. He’s got huge power, hand speed, heavy kicks, explosiveness, and technique. He has a nasty jab he’ll set the tone with and when he unloads he throws sharp straight punches and goes to the body as well. He has good timing and vision being a good counter striker. There’s not much to complain about Oliveira unless you are nitpicking.
Light heavyweight, Rasul Magomedov
Dagestan, Russia
29-years-old
7-0
4 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 14-9
Magomedov, in my opinion, is the best prospect in the light heavyweight division. Magomedov has never lost a fight and that goes all the way back to his decorated amateur career. He was a two-time IMMAF heavyweight world champion and is now fighting at 205 as a pro. Outside of MMA, he has a win over Kyle Snyder in a freestyle wrestling staple. Magomedov has dominant wrestling and a mauling ground game. He’s been a force so far. Although the competition isn’t great he isn’t gonna find much better outside a big promotion.
Featherweight, Radley da Silva
Vancouver, British Columbia
29-years-old
6-1
1 KO/TKO, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 29-9
Silva had a big 2024 going 3-0 winning the BFL title and defending it twice, BFL being one of Canada’s premier regional MMA promotions. He capped off the year with a beautiful wheel kick knockout. With his upbringing in capoeira, you’d know that’s not very surprising. On the feet, Silva fights loose with a flowy stance throwing a lot of kicks. If you just watched his last fight you’d be surprised he’s an excellent wrestler with a high-end gas tank. Along with that seems to be a top-notch ground game. Radley da Silva is one of the most underrated prospects there is.
Bantamweight, Cody Chovancek
Petrolia, Ontario
26-years-old
7-0
3 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents record: 17-6
Chovancek turned a lot of heads last June winning the Unified MMA 135lb title beating a solid Gage Gill. He comes from Niagara Top Team which is a highly respected gym out of Canada that has a ton of good fighters. Chovancek has a bit of everything and mixes everything together. On the feet, he’s a good counter striker but his ground game is ridiculously good. His wrestling is also top notch and could do it at a high pace. A testament to his cardio, jiu-jitsu, and skill set is shown in his last fight hitting a calf slicer in round five. Chovancek is the fighter the fans from Canada need in the UFC.
Featherweight, Milad Ahady
South Shields, England
28-years-old
8-1
1 KO/TKO, 1 Submission
Combined opponents’ record: 39-20-1
Ahady is currently Afghanistan’s best prospect. Even though his competition with that isn’t much he’s been putting on good performances for Cage Warriors. Ahady is a talented enough guy that the UFC could sign him right now. He’s a big featherweight at 5’11” who is a better striker but is well-rounded. Ahady is coming off a decision win over Contender Series alum Thomas Paull in a fight he dominated but is much better than he showed.
“Milad is a well-rounded fighter. Tidy sharp striking with very good wrestling and grappling. He is one of the top prospects in the featherweight division and has not padded his record with easy fights. He is also a very humble fighter and a great example for youths growing up, he is of Afghan heritage and a UFC contract will inspire many people from his homeland.” – Coach, Shajidul Haque
