7 Up-and-Coming MMA Fighters to Keep an Eye On in 2026
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With 2026 approaching, the regional MMA scene is loaded with talent that feels ready to break through. At The Scrap, we’ve always prided ourselves on spotting momentum early, so as we mark seven years of covering the fight game, we wanted to turn our attention to what’s next.
This list highlights seven regional MMA prospects who may not be fully on the radar yet, but have the skills, trajectory, and upside to make major moves in 2026. Some are already being developed by top promotions, others are quietly stacking wins, but all seven are worth your attention as the next wave of talent begins to take shape.
These are seven regional MMA prospects to keep an eye on in 2026:
Gable Steveson
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. If Gable Steveson isn’t on every prospect list, you’re dead wrong. He is undoubtedly the biggest prospect to watch in 2026, with all eyes on when the UFC finally signs him.
History suggests Dana White will likely want Gable to take the Contender Series route, but the numbers speak for themselves. He’s 2-0 professionally, 3-0 if you include his win at DBX 4, and boasts a 100% finish rate. Add in untouchable wrestling credentials, Olympic gold, training with Jon Jones, and experience in both WWE and the NFL, and you’ve got a true generational athlete.
After his win at Dirty Boxing, I put together a video for our YouTube channel breaking down why I thought Gable had his path laid out by UFC Matchmaker Mick Maynard. Steveson isn’t just a prospect, he’s a force that will eventually have the entire UFC heavyweight division making plans around him. It’s only a matter of time.
Gigi Canuto
Gigi Canuto is only 23 years old and already holds a 6-1 professional record. But, don’t let the numbers fool you. She is nasty inside the cage. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, Canuto has six first-round submission victories on her résumé, making her ground game absolutely lethal.
The Brazilian strawweight also brings serious upside outside the cage. With over 120,000 followers on Instagram, she has the marketability to match her skill set. She’s a true LFA homegrown talent, so I fully expect the promotion to push her hard in 2026, which likely means a title shot is on the horizon.
She only fought once this year, so increased activity is the main thing to watch moving forward. That said, with the UFC strawweight division recently crowning a new champion and wide open for fresh contenders, stars can emerge out of nowhere. Gigi Canuto has all the tools to be one of them, so keep her firmly on your radar.
Issac Moreno
We’ve been following Issac Moreno’s career since his amateur days, so seeing him sit at 8-0 as a professional comes as no surprise. He’s riding a 13-fight win streak overall and managed to compete twice this year, continuing to build steady momentum.
Fury FC has done an excellent job developing Moreno, and because of that, he feels like a clear shoe-in for the Contender Series next season. His accolades and résumé speak for themselves, but what really separates Issac is his branding. Nicknamed “Primetime,” and fittingly so, he just gets it. The swag, the social media presence, and the confidence all match his performances inside the cage.
A welterweight with proven finishing ability and serious upside, Issac Moreno looks like a future star in the making.
Mitch McKee
You might remember the name Mitch McKee from his days as an NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota. Now, he’s rapidly climbing the MMA ranks, sitting at a perfect 10-0 as a professional at just 27 years old. He fought twice this year and could be looking at an LFA title shot early next year after a big finish in the main event of LFA 217.
Wrestlers traditionally do well in MMA, especially those who commit to evolving their striking. Wrestling remains the best base, and McKee has proven he understands that formula. His development has been impressive, showing improved striking, relentless pressure, and a pace that wears opponents down. A lot of that growth can be credited to his gym, Kill Cliff FC.
A future star at featherweight, Mitch McKee is absolutely one to watch. If it were up to me, he’d be signed outright. Realistically, expect to see him make his case on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Regina Tarin
Can you believe Regina Tarin is only 21 years old? The Mexican flyweight prospect is already 7-0 as a professional and has been competing for promotions like Combate Global. She fought twice this year and continues to build momentum at a rapid pace.
She’s the reigning BSC Bantamweight Champion and brings serious star power with her. With over 171,000 followers on Instagram, she has main character energy written all over her. She’s marketable, confident, and competes in a flyweight division that is desperate for new, emerging stars as it continues to be dominated by Valentina Shevchenko.
This list is all about prospects we haven’t fully seen yet but who look like they have massive potential on paper. So, I’ll be honest, I’ve mostly watched Regina through clips circulating on social media rather than full fights. Still, if you’re looking to discover a new flyweight prospect who could make major moves in 2026, Regina Tarin is absolutely one to keep an eye on.
Austin Clayton
Austin Clayton is another welterweight I’ve been keeping an eye on, though this one caught my attention more recently. I love my trash talkers, and Austin is one of the best on the regional scene today who can actually back it up.
At 5-0 and 27 years old, Clayton has been vocal about wanting bigger opportunities, including a shot at the CFFC welterweight championship. He’s another fighter who truly understands social media and branding outside of the fight game, using it as a tool to create momentum. He comes off as business-minded and absolutely reeks of potential.
Clayton owns a 100% finish rate and is riding a nine-fight win streak, with wins over fighters who have already appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series. Like many names on this list, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him there next season. That said, there’s something different about Austin Clayton, and I’ll be fully tuned in next year.
Yusuf Esembaev
If you’re a Khamzat Chimaev fan and loved watching Baisangur Susakuraev’s epic path to the UFC, then you’re going to love Yusuf Esembaev when it’s finally his time.
When we covered Khamzat’s last fight camp for his title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, we did a deep dive into everyone involved. Yusuf Esembaev was one of them, training with the best even though he is only 3-0.
The 21-year-old welterweight from Chechnya has star written all over him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he fights multiple times in the lead-up to his first Contender Series appearance on Paramount+.
He has a 100% finish rate and has been competing for Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat promotion since turning pro. Well-rounded and dangerous, Yusuf may have the least experience on this list, but he’s definitely one to watch.
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