Not just to the streaming giant, either. Rousey vs. Carano got people talking. Social media interaction was high. Traffic was up on numerous websites. In that sense, Saturday was a good day for MMA.

Of course, there will always be naysayers. There are always ups and downs. MVP MMA’s Rousey vs. Carano card wasn’t a perfect event by any means, and there are lots of aspects about the show that can be criticized. However, if there’s any one takeaway, it’s that competition is good for the sport. With apologies to the PFL, MMA isn’t a “league sport.” It’s not stick-and-ball. It’s prize fighting, and the best comparisons are either boxing, or professional wrestling. 90s wrestling fans will tell you, that business was at its best when the “Monday Night Wars” between WWE and WCW were in full swing. It forced both companies to innovate.

Can MVP MMA, if it moves forward, do the same for the UFC, which has grown stale so far in 2026? Time will tell, but Rousey vs. Carano certainly suggested it’s possible.

We’ll get to that, and more, as we break down some of the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s card at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

No, the fix wasn’t in

Perhaps the downright dumbest discourse surrounding Rousey vs. Carano, in particular about the main event itself, came after the fight, with various talking heads on social media yelling “fix!” As if rigging the main event in favour of the fighter widely expected to win it, exactly in the fashion she did, would make any sense at all.

Gina Carano was a massive underdog heading into Saturday’s Netflix card. She had not fought in 17 years, and dropped 100 pounds in the year and a half leading up to the fight. In fact, her shape, her physical condition, was in part what led Ronda Rousey to propose the fight in the first place: she wanted to give Carano something to work towards.

You can argue that, because of how friendly the main event pair were ahead of the fight, they didn’t give it their all. And that would be an acceptable take. Yelling fix? Just say you’re desperate for engagement and attention.

Fixes, actual fixes, are incredibly rare in MMA. Mainly because the money isn’t generally worth it, and they’re incredibly difficult to pull off. In fact, discounting betting scandals involving Darrick Minner and Alexander Hernandez (which weren’t fixes, but rather injury information being leaked to the betting public), there’s really only been one verified instance of fight fixing in the UFC: Tae Hyun Bang’s fight against Leo Kuntz at UFC Fight Night 79 in South Korea, back in 2015. And, hilariously, though Bang was later convicted of accepting bribes to throw the fight, he never went through with it, getting cold feet after the UFC noticed a shift in betting lines and winning a split decision.

Aside from that, you’re left with Isaac Dulgarian’s fight against Yadier del Valle last November, in which Dulgarian tapped suspiciously quickly to a rear-naked choke while displaying zero defense. That bout remains under investigation, and could still amount to nothing. Or wind up being a similar situation to Minner, who was injured ahead of his November 2022 fight with Shayilan Nuerdanbieke and failed to disclose it (only for his coach, James Krause, to do a little insider trading with the knowledge).

Now, back to Rousey. If you’re new to MMA, maybe you missed her prime, where she finished opponents in 16 seconds, 14 seconds, and 34 seconds, all in title defenses in the UFC. Takedown, mount, arm-bar, rinse, repeat is basically what Rousey did for years. It made her the biggest star in the sport in her day. So ignore the likes of ex-pro wrestling manager and modern-day internet troll Jim Cornette (if Cornette ever recommended a restaurant, your best bet would be to flee in the opposite direction). There was no need to fix this fight; the outcome was a forgone conclusion from the start.

Whether MVP MMA is a promotion or not doesn’t matter

Speaking of bad takes, here’s another one: MVP MMA doesn’t matter, because it’s not a “promotion” in the traditional sense.

Here’s what actually doesn’t matter: whether or not MVP MMA is a promotion. In fact, it might be better if it isn’t.

Yes, MVP was playing with house money on Saturday. Netflix gave them a budget, had them work within it, and they put on the best show possible with the biggest names they could find. Now, that’s far different from investing in the sport, putting on multiple cards a month, and signing up a few hundred fighters to exclusive contracts. But isn’t that the problem? Exclusive contracts, and fighters not being able to make money elsewhere? At least if you’re a fighter anyway.

Netflix was a player in negotiations with the UFC for their latest broadcast deal, which ultimately saw Paramount+ become the exclusive home of the promotion in the U.S. and select other territories. Paramount Skydance arguably overpaid at $1.1 billion a year, but they’re trying to make their streaming service a real competitor. It’s a calculated risk, in other words.

Netflix is already number one, and the streaming giant wasn’t interested in Apex Slop. They wanted only the biggest UFC cards, the numbered events, which would have left UFC events split between broadcasters. Not impossible, the UFC, WWE, and other companies have done that repeatedly over the years. But Paramount came in with the sweetheart deal and snatched it all up.

MVP, should they move forward, likely will not be putting on multiple shows per month. Jake Paul has suggested maybe six or so a year. Which means no exclusive contracts, unless maybe only to a handful of top stars. And isn’t that a win, in a sense? Independent contractors should be free to fight where they please. Francis Ngannou spent years breaking free of the UFC’s shackles to get exactly this, the opportunity to take his services to the highest bidder. And MVP is going to be a very high bidder if they can keep putting on big events.

The disclosed payouts for Rousey vs. Carano, by the way, are worth looking at. California still releases disclosed fighter pay, and Rousey topped the payroll at $2.2 million U.S. Carano took home just north one $1 million, and Francis Ngannou earned $1.5 million. No one on the card made less than $40,000 in disclosed pay, far, far better than the UFC’s entry level fight purse of $12,000 to show, and another $12,000 to win.

In comparison, Rousey made $3 million for her final UFC fight, in 2016 in a loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Rousey, however, was making her much-anticipated return following the first defeat of her career. Her star power was at its peak. Nunes made a paltry $200,000 in show/win money in comparison.

Nganou? In his final UFC fight in 2022, he made just $600,000 for a win over Ciryl Gane. That was a flat fee, with no win bonus.

Tell me again why it matters if MVP MMA is a true promotion or not, if they’re offering even limited opportunities for fighters to be paid as well or better than they are in the UFC. Now, these numbers don’t reflect the PPV bonuses the UFC offers top stars (lower-tier fighters get no such luck), at least when PPV still existed, but the same is true of MVP’s numbers: they do not include any bonuses tied to viewership, promotional activities, etc.

In any case, a show that pays well, even just in one-offs here and there, is a good thing for MMA.

The post Rousey vs. Carano Aftermath: Ups, Downs, and Really Bad Takes appeared first on Cageside Press.

Muhammad Mokaev (16-0, 1NC), a former UFC flyweight and undefeated talent released by the UFC under controversial circumstances, was to have faced Adriano Moraes (21-6) at the event on May 16, 2026.

However, with Mokaev encountering visa issues, it’s Phumi Nkuta stepping in to take his place.

News of Nkuta’s involvement was first reported by MMA Junkie’s Nolan King.

Per Mokaev, his visa wasn’t rejected, he simply wasn’t given an appointment in time to secure it. He also revealed that he had warned Moraes of the possible complication weeks ago.

“Four weeks out I texted my opponent, I did my full camp, visa wasn’t refused, just couldn’t [find] appointment slots,” Mokaev stated on social media in response to the news.

Nkuta (11-0) has won titles in Cage Fury FC and Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat. He’s long been considered a prospect at flyweight, one with serious UFC potential, but has yet to been given a shot by the promotion.

Moraes is a former ONE Championship champ best known for his series with flyweight great Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. He’s the first and only fighter to stop Johnson, in the pair’s first encounter in 2021. Johnson would win the following two fights in their trilogy.

MVP MMA 1 airs on Netflix on Saturday, May 16, 2026 with Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano headlining. Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry also feature on the card.

The post Muhammad Mokaev Off Netflix MVP MMA Card, Phumi Nkuta Steps Up appeared first on Cageside Press.

Whether it’s via the Contender Series or straight to the big show, Nkuta almost certainly has a future with the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion. And to hear him tell it, his fight with Cody Davis at LFA 211 was already UFC-level anyway. Nor is he surprised at being 10-0 to start his career.

“If I’m going to do something, I’m doing it with my heart and soul into it. I didn’t come into this sport to just say I was a fighter, to just take an amateur fight or be a pro fighter,” he told Cageside Press following his win in Salamanca, New York, standing alongside teammate and UFC star Aljamain Sterling.

“I came here to be the best, and fortunately for me, I’ve gotten to be part of training camps for Merab [Dvalishvili], I’ve gotten to be [part of camps for] Henry Cejudo and Jimmie Rivera and this guy right here, Aljo, my brother. I’ve been in there with the best, why should I not be 10-0? No one else is doing what I’m doing, no one else is fighting who I’m fighting, training the way I’m training.”

“Cody Davis, shout out to him, he’s a good dude, but that fight could have been in the UFC,” added Nkuta. “That’s a UFC-level/caliber fighter right there. In a sport where a lot of people are padding their records, he didn’t do that, I didn’t do that, that was two dogs in there just scrapping with the best of them.”

Phumi Nkuta’s dreams don’t stop at the UFC, however. With the promotion now falling under parent company TKO Group alongside World Wrestling Entertainment, Nkuta is hoping to have a future in both professions.

“I got one life to live,” Nkuta exclaimed, going on to add “let’s do something nobody else has ever done before, in the history of athletics. Let’s be in the UFC, let’s be in WWE.”

Watch our full post-fight interview with LFA 211’s Phumi Nkuta above.

The post Phumi Nkuta Says LFA 211 Fight Was Already UFC-Level appeared first on Cageside Press.

Canada’s Sierra Dinwoodie and Brazilian Bia Mesquita brought identical 4-0 records to the fight, with the vacant title up for grabs. The 135lb belt had previously been held by Jacqueline Cavalcanti, who vacated the title when she signed with the UFC.

Mesquita was a decorated star in the BJJ world, having won gold at the World Championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Not to mention golds at ADCC, the Brazilian Nationals, and other tournaments.

Also appearing on Friday’s LFA 211 card, the undefeated Phumi Nkuta, long a top prospect, was looking to improve to 10-0.

Where to Watch Legacy Fighting Alliance

The Legacy Fighting Alliance hosts its latest event at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, New York on Friday, June 20, 2025. The main card goes down live on UFC Fight Pass starting at 9PM ET, 6PM PT, following online and dark prelims. Full results can be found below.

LFA 211: Mesquita vs. Dinwoodie Results

Main Card

Bia Mesquita def. Sierra Dinwoodie via R2 TKO, 3:05  – for the vacant LFA women’s bantamweight championship
Phumi Nkuta def. Cody Davis via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Giovanna Canuto def. Flor Hernandez via R1 SUB (Arm Bar), 1:49
JaCobi Jones def. Shovkhal Churchaev via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Adam Livingston def. Hugo Oyarzun via R2 TKO (Doc Stoppage), 5:00
Lucas Seibert def. Gustavo Kruger via R1 TKO, 2:44

Preliminary Card

Farman Hasanov def. Will Lewis via R2 TKO, 3:28
Jake Woodley def. David Gladfelter via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kevin Carrier def. Dey McIntosh via R3 SUB (Guillotine), 4:34
Soufiane Kabil def. Derrick Patterson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Elton Dedaj def. Zaki Mohsin via R2 SUB (Triangle), 2:16

The post LFA 211: Mesquita vs. Dinwoodie Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Having made his pro debut for Bellator MMA then captured gold in CFFC and Peak Fighting, Nkuta is no stranger to success, and has the right kind of record at 8-0. Opposite him in Saturday’s LFA 202 main event was Adrian Garcia, a fellow veteran of the regional circuit with a solid 8-2-1 record of his own.

The only problem with this flyweight showdown: it technically isn’t one, after Nkuta missed weight on Thursday. That leaves the bout at a catchweight, but he remains a fighter to watch in the weight class, and the type of talent who could some day make waves in the UFC. For Garcia, who stumbled in a step up in competition under the Combate Global banner, it was a second chance to make some waves and throw is name in the hat for a shot at the big time.

Where to Watch LFA 202

Taking place at the  Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York on Friday, February 21, 2025, LFA 202’s main card can be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass following online and dark prelims. Full results can be found below.

LFA 202: Nkuta vs. Garcia Results

Main Card

Phumi Nkuta def. Adrian Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Shuya Kamikubo def. Mateus Santos by submission (Modified Twister), Round 1, 4:37
Phillip Latu def. Joe Taylor by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sierra Dinwoodie def. Nikol Aguirre by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Ferdaws Nayimi def. Jacob Wiggins by unanimous decision  (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Cristina Brador def. Jayde Sheeley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card

Kevin Carrier vs. Kyle Pufahl – cancelled due to illness
Elias Rodriguez def. Peter Lucitt by TKO (knee and punches), Round 2, 2:22

Early Preliminary Card

Devon Coates def. Tony Viscomi by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 1, 1:29

The post LFA 202: Nkuta vs. Garcia Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

With that in mind, here are five top MMA prospects from June who are UFC ready right now.

Lightweight, Magomed “Muhammad” Magomedov (14-0):

Magomed “Muhammad” Magomedov (not to be confused with Bellator’s Magomed Magomedov) has had a strong two years. He’s been good for longer than that but has hit his stride.

The biggest knock on Magomedov not that long ago was his fighting style, and always going to the cards. However, in his last four fights this has changed, as he’s finished all of his opponents in that stretch. He’s a good wrestler, a grinder, and boasts a solid gas tank. He’s recently picked up the aggression. The KHK MMA Team product should be getting eyes from the UFC with a record like he has.

The post Five Prospects From June That Are UFC Ready appeared first on Cageside Press.

We did a little Q&A and a closer look with a fighter who will hopefully get the call from Dana White and co. soon.

Getting into MMA

“I was flipping through channels one day and saw Ken Shamrock vs Tito. I knew who Ken Shamrock was from WWE as a kid but I’d never seen him fighting in MMA before. I didn’t even know what MMA was. I was hooked ever since at the age 12” – Nkuta on his introduction into MMA.

Amateur career

Nkuta started his MMA journey at the end of 2016. Nkuta did the right thing with the amount of fights he took and the number of years spent as a amateur. He competed for nearly three years and had five fights. Of those five fights, he went 5-0 with two finishes. His last two fights he won the Triton Fights and the NYFE flyweight titles.

“Not to be cocky but just that I can hang with the top guys in the world.” – Nkuta on his biggest takeaway from his amateur career.

Pro debut

Nkuta had an incredible opportunity to kick of his pro career fight for Bellator. He fought Adrian Haly who was 1-0 as a pro and had twice the amount of amateur experience. CFFC debut

Nkuta had a breakout performance here. Yes, he fought for Bellator but the fight wasn’t televised. This fight was against Ben Coyle who was making his pro debut but had a 6-1 amateur record. Nkuta treated him as an amateur. “Turbo” used his wrestling and grappling to dominate this fight. He showcases a little striking throwing in twos, going to the body, and moving in and out. Nkuta when he got the takedown was all over Coyle. Coyle couldn’t even move because Nkuta was following him around just floating on top. After a dominant round one Nkuta won with a kimura in round two. It was a fantastic introduction into the pro ranks.

“Having my first fight for Bellator was a great intro to the feeling of being on a big show. Dealing with level of professionalism and the bright lights was cool man. Had me nervous for sure but when I made that walk I felt comfortable all over again. As far as the fight though. I prepared well but had a bad weight cut. I was a young man, and didn’t have the knowledge at time. So I was dominant, showed I’m high level, but I still didn’t put on the performance I wanted to.” – Nkuta on pro debut

CFFC title fight

After a 2-0 start in his pro career, CFFC saw enough to give him an early title fight. It was against Albert Trujillo who was an established fighter and the champ at the time. It was a big step up in competition for Nkuta.

Nkuta treated this fight as if he were the champion because he dominated this fight bell to bell. Although he did score two knockdowns it was all wrestling and control from Nkuta. Nkuta showcased top-notch wrestling. Not only the speed but Nkuta was chain wrestling, cutting the corner, running the pipe, and created a lot of knee traps to get the takedowns. When I say he was all over Trujillo it was like a glue trap. He was all over him and as Trujillo got back up he went right back down. Impressively this was the first time Nkuta went into championship rounds and fought at the same pace as he did in round one.

“First… I don’t think people realize how good Alberto is. He’s high level. Till this day he’s the highest level guy I’ve fought. Good technique, was in insane shape, mentally tough. He’s coming out of Alliance MMA so he’s part of a high level camp. I had a great camp but fighting him almost brought the best out of me. As far as what it felt like to win? Winning that fight is another reason why I’m as confident as I am. My third pro fight. I get multiple knockdowns, (one of them being a spinning elbow) endless takedowns and fought hard for 20 minutes. And then spit bars? I always have a lot to work on but after that fight, I felt like I could beat anyone in the world. Especially at Flyweight.”

5-0

To close out 2021 Nkuta had a 5-0 record defending his CFFC flyweight title twice. In his fight with Miguel Junior Diaz he frankly just beat the tar out of him. Nkuta used footwork, speed, and technical wrestling ability to get Diaz down every round. More than the wrestling it was the top pressure and the relentless ground and pound. He even busted up Diaz in the fight. He got into the crucifix position a few times and that’s where he got the TKO stoppage in round four. All the damage just added up and Nkuta scored his first TKO stoppage as a pro. In his fight with Jason Eastman, it was tougher but still a one-sided fight. Nkuta had to go through a few submissions but he was one step ahead in every spot. He showed a little more striking with some bodywork and was finding his rhythm. It was again his wrestling and dominant grappling that won him the fight.

Contender Series Rumor and Retirement

Nkuta was ready for a UFC opportunity as a reigning champion on UFC Fight Pass. In his fight with Eastman Nkuta ended up breaking his hand that required surgery. Unfortunately for him it was around the same there was rumors of a Contender Series fight. It being so bad of an injury Nkuta had no choice but to sit on the shelf for a bit. Having to wait for surgery his hand ended up healing improperly. They had to re-break it to actually fix it and Nkuta was in a cast for months. Not to mention all the rehab he had to do once he got the cast off. With the injury and the trouble getting fights Nkuta took it as a sign to walk away from the sport.

Once Nkuta got the cast off he was back in the gym helping guys like Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili, Matt Frevola and others. With encouragement from his manager and teammates, Nkuta decided to step back in the cage after over a year and a half layoff.

Comeback Fight

For coming back from a long layoff and a gruesome injury Nkuta was back to his dominant ways. His opponent, Cleveland McLean is a known veteran with a lot of experience. It was all Nkuta in this fight treating the vet like a rookie. Nkuta used his wrestling and brick-like top control to cruise to a submission victory. In this fight there were a ton of moments where he was in a dominant position. He landed a lot of GNP and went for submission but it was a good fight to shake off any ring rust he had.

At this point, Nkuta should’ve been considered for the UFC. Nkuta was 6-0 with a few good wins. He was already wanted by the UFC at a point so it was time for a straight UFC contract.

Bantamweight Debut

Nkuta took on a fight up a weight class at Bantamweight against Hunter Starner. Although not experienced Starner is a strong wrestler with a lot of talent. Nkuta was significantly smaller but that didn’t make him shy away from fighting his fight. Nkuta still used his wrestling and did get a few takedowns as well. We actually saw Starner takedown Nkuta. From there Nkuta was never complacent and did a great job scrambling back up. His striking also looked very good moving in and out, going to the body, and letting his hands fly in short bursts. It was a fight proving again he’s a UFC-level fighter.

“First I gotta give a shout out to Hunter Starner. He was tough, skilled and super strong. Like I’m talking farmer strength strong. He took on a very experienced opponent when he didn’t have to at all. Biggest takeaway for me is that I can handle the mental part of the game and that I truly am ready to fight anyone at any time at any place. A lot of people talk about it but some are actually about it. Fighting a week and a half notice fighting up a weight class… A lot of people would never. Especially with everything riding on the line like it was for me. I had everything to lose. Undefeated record, reputation in the sport. It was a risky scenario. But I’ll fight anyone, anytime at any weight. Cause that’s that the best do. I am that and I showed that. As far as what the takeaway should be for everyone else… Stop sleeping on my striking.”

Nkuta is 100% ready to make the jump to the UFC. He’s at the point where it’s hard for him to get fights and he has to move up to bantamweight to actually get fights. He’s 7-0 as a pro and 5-0 as an amateur. He’s never lost a fight and I don’t think has ever lost a round. His wrestling is high-level. Although his striking isn’t on display as much as his wrestling it’s looked good. He has the speed, shot placement, and his hands are clean. With his wrestling his jiu-jitsu is lockdown. Nkuta is relentless with his pressure, GNP, and transitions. He’s so light on top but is also glue-like giving no space. You don’t want Nkuta on the inside because he will bully you around.

When Nkuta beat Alberto Trujillo he proved he was UFC level then. Also being a champion for a promotion like CFFC that’s on UFC Fight Pass is a big deal. Not just one title defense but two. Nkuta can even take fights on short notice not in his weight class and still perform at a high level. Training with the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Matt Frevola, and Aljamain Sterling at LAW MMA makes it even more puzzling why he isn’t in the UFC. I easily see Nkuta as a top 15 flyweight. He’s 28 in his prime now and still the best is yet to come with him. Stop playing around and call him Dana.

Nkuta’s message to Dana White

“In the ring, on the mic, and even in the booth, no one can talk the talk like me. No one can walk the walk like me right now. I’m a star. I’m the best Flyweight in the world. I’m the best in the business. I’m the best for business and I’m ready. So let’s do business bossman!”

Comments from the media and teammates

“The type of talent and the type of work ethic Phumi has, it can’t help but make everyone around him want to be great as well. Iron sharpens iron and he’s as sharp as it gets.” – Teammate, Dennis Buzukja

“They don’t call him Turbo for no reason. Phumi is FAST, accurate and strong everywhere. He can compete with anyone in the UFC right now, and I’m truly surprised he hasn’t been signed yet.” – Teammate, Matt Frevola

“Absolutely, there’s probably nothing I could say about phumi people haven’t heard already; I just genuinely believe he’s the best flyweight on the planet right now. I think Phumi’s a Ferrari and the UFC wants to treat him like a Toyota Corolla; if they put him in there right now and see what he’s capable of I think they would do tremendous business with one another. He’s skilled in the cage, on the mic, and the most important part is he’s just a good dude. In my opinion, he’s simply the best flyweight walking on earth right now, and it’d be a tragedy if he didn’t get his opportunity to prove it.” – Teammate/Coach, Steve Lee

“The perfect way to describe Phumi is “Best kept secret” or “champion behind closed doors” since the ufc is slow to sign up and let the inevitable unfold which is him becoming a world champion” – Teammate, Nazim Sadykhov.

“At this very moment in time, MMA prospect Phumi Nkuta could very well compete with any UFC-ranked flyweight. Put him on the top of the list of prospects who should already be in the UFC. Training at LAW MMA with some of the UFC’s biggest stars, Nkuta’s future is certainly bright & hopefully he can kickstart his UFC journey sooner rather than later.” – Media member, Jake Noecker

“Phumi Nkuta has been one of the top talents at 125 for a long time. I know he got away from the sport for almost 1.5 years but even before that, he should’ve had a chance to fight on DWCS. In my opinion, he should be signed right away. His striking and ground game are both very solid plus he trains with former champion Aljamain Sterling and future champion Merab Dvalishvili. For me, it is a no-brainer to sign Nkuta. He is 28-years-old and will only be better in the next few years. Plus the fact that he is undefeated brings a little more hype to the whole situation in my opinion. Sign him and give him his deserved opportunity, please!!” – Media member, Marcel Dorff

“I had the pleasure of watching Phumi Nkuta fight in person back in December. Going up a weight class and accepting the fight on just one week’s notice, Phumi scored a clean decision victory. His past opponents hold a combined record of 35-16, and his cardio has proven to hold up late into fights. Phumi isn’t just the best fighter out of LAW MMA who isn’t in the UFC, he may very well be the best fighter currently unsigned. In a weight class that needs new blood, Phumi could very well be a key addition to the top 15 of 125 pounds and make a run for the title. Signing Phumi outright is a move long overdue, and making him fight on the Contender Series would be a disservice to him and the promotion. Sign him Dana!” – Media member, Patrick Danna

“Nkuta might not have the highlight-reel finishes that would catch the UFC’s eye but his performances should speak for themselves. Since returning from his injury, he’s picked up right where he left off despite stating how hard it has been to get opponents on the regional scene. He might not be the kind of guy that the Contender Series is looking for but when you look at someone who could step up to the UFC and compete at a high-level from the jump, he ticks a lot of boxes. He certainly has an aura of confidence about him and when you consider the level of training partners he shares the mats with, it’s hard to imagine that next level of competition being something he can’t adapt to.” – Media member, Kyle Dimond

The post Call Him, Dana: Phumi Nkuta appeared first on Cageside Press.

Lightweight, Abdullo Khodzhaev (5-0):
I’m pretty high on Khodzhaev. I love his kickboxing mixed in with his distance control and diversity. He can sit on the outside and dictate the pace chewing up his opponent up top and down low. He likes to use a lot of flashy stuff but he’s thought out and calculated.

Flyweight, An Tuan Ho (5-0):
Ho could benefit with more experience outside of the UFC but I don’t see them avoiding him for long. He’s so explosive, dynamic, and exciting that the UFC would love to have him. He’s one of my favorite flyweight prospects because of his style but also because of his youth and growth.

Strawweight, Rose Conceicao (7-0):
Conceicao is coming off a disappointing fight but it was still a fight she won. It was also a fight where she won the LFA title. Conceição was a Brazilian national wrestling champion. Even in a stacked division, I believe she could go a long way in the UFC.

Bantamweight, Austin Bashi (11-0):
Bashi has to be a lock for the UFC this year as he’s the best prospect in the United States. No prospect in the US has a better resume than Bashi. Bashi has beaten good regional guys like Askar Askar, Pipe Vargas, Chris San Jose, and Erion Zekthi while being the Lights Out Championship bantamweight champion. The wrestling is top-notch and he has solid cardio. Bashi is already so good now he’s going to be great in the future.

Flyweight, Badmatsyren Dorzhiev (8-0):
One of the best flyweight prospects happens to be from Mongolia in Dorzhiev. Last year was a great year for “Immortal Lotus.” He moved to the UFC and won the flyweight title for both APFC and CFFC. Dorzhiev is well-rounded and every move is thought out and measured. He has a good right hand that’s highlighted. On the feet, Dorzhiev will pick and choose his shots staying technical. He’s a solid wrestler and his ground and pound is really good along with heavy top control. He should be a UFC fighting this year.

The post 50 Prospects The UFC Could Sign in 2024 appeared first on Cageside Press.

In this edition, we turn the focus stateside to look at some of the top fighting prospects coming out of the United States. Two years ago, here’s who we had listed:

• Kyle Daukaus who is now signed with the UFC and is 2-3-1 for the promotion.
• Jose Johnson who is fighting this season on the Contender Series.
• Alex Polizzi who is now signed with Bellator and is their 10th ranked light-heavyweight.
• Matt Dixon who lost on the Contender Series in 2020 and hasn’t been seen since.
• Matt Rohskopf who did sign with the UFC and is now signed with Bellator.

Who’s in the spotlight this year? Let’s take a look.

Featherweight, Blake Bilder (6-0-1)

Bilder is the defending CFFC featherweight champion. CFFC is a staple promotion in New Jersey and one of the best shows aired on UFC Fight Pass.

Bilder was highly thought of before even coming to CFFC as his debut for them was for the title. His two fights for CFFC have been memorable performances from Bilder. Bilder, who was down in both those fights, came back and got the finish. So much toughness and resilience and dog in Bilder — it’s just fantastic to watch. Bilder is deserving in all areas inside and outside of fighting. Not a long of guys with his grit and determination.

The post Scouting the Globe 2022: The Five Best Prospects From The United States appeared first on Cageside Press.

It’s a good time for 125lb’ers, but the promotion still needs to fill out the ranks. We’ve got 10 names that could be a good fit.

Here’s a look at last year’s list, featuring current UFC roster members Denis Bondar and Jake Hadley.

Arman Ashimov
Asu Almabaev
Azamat Kerefov
Daniel Barez
Denis Bondar
Gian Souza
Jake Hadley
Jean Matsumoto
Juan Puerta
Tony Laramie

Before we get started, don’t miss the other instalments in this series:

10 Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Light Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Middleweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Welterweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Lightweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Featherweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Bantamweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022

The post 10 Flyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022 appeared first on Cageside Press.