7 Future Superstars UFC Has on Their Roster Right Now
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The UFC is always searching for its next wave of stars. Some fighters arrive with instant hype, others build momentum quietly, but superstardom is never accidental. It’s a mix of timing, talent, personality, and the right push at the right moment.
As The Scrap celebrates its seven-year anniversary, it felt fitting to lean into the theme of sevens. This list highlights seven fighters currently on the UFC roster who check the boxes both inside and outside the cage. Whether through dominant performances, growing fanbases, or undeniable crossover appeal, these are the names positioned to become the UFC’s next generation of superstars:
Baisangur Susurkaev
Baisangur Susurkaev had one of the most impressive weeks of 2025, winning two fights in just four days. His arrival on the scene was nothing short of legendary. Every appearance delivered excitement, and he has finished every opponent he’s faced so far.
Training alongside Khamzat Chimaev only adds to the intrigue, giving him a level of credibility few newcomers possess. With over 202,000 social media followers and a fanbase that continues to grow, Susurkaev is quickly becoming a name the UFC can build around.
Tracy Cortez
Tracy Cortez already feels like a star in waiting. She’s landing commercials, has the look, and carries a level of swag that many fighters in the division simply don’t. While her consistency inside the cage still needs to level up, that growth feels inevitable.
Once it all clicks, her rise to superstardom could happen fast. With 1.5 million followers on social media, Cortez’s appeal stretches far beyond fight night, giving her a level of crossover popularity few fighters can match.
Quillan Salkilld
At just 25 years old, Quillan Salkilld has already made three UFC appearances, and all three came on pay-per-view cards. That alone signals how highly the UFC views his potential. With 119,000 social media followers and a fanbase that continues to grow, Salkilld is gaining momentum quickly.
Australia remains one of the sport’s strongest fight hubs, and the country is always ready to rally behind its next star. If he keeps this pace, the UFC may very well strap him to a rocket.
Ignacio Bahamondes
Ignacio Bahamondes has an entire country behind him, carrying the support of Chile wherever he competes. With over 530,000 social media followers and an active online presence, his reach continues to expand. At 28 years old, he brings natural charisma and already has brand backing, including promotion with Gatorade.
Bahamondes has also crossed into mainstream media, appearing alongside WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, another Chilean star. Training with Belal Muhammad adds to his development, and his skill set is already well-rounded.
While a recent loss to Rafael Fiziev slowed the momentum, Fiziev remains one of the division’s elite. There’s still plenty of time for Bahamondes to put it all together and fully realize his superstar potential.
Bo Nickal
Bo Nickal has been an obvious UFC priority from the moment he arrived. Nearly all of his fights landed on pay-per-view cards until his matchup with Reinier de Ridder. That loss slowed his momentum, but it’s clear the UFC hoped a win there would fast-track him into title contention. Even so, Nickal is already positioned to get back in the win column and resume his climb toward gold.
With collegiate national championship credentials in wrestling and the ability to promote himself well on the mic, he brings value both inside and outside the cage. Add in 719,000 social media followers and a fanbase that continues to grow, and Nickal remains an easy inclusion on any future superstar list.
Luke Riley
The UFC signed Luke Riley outright, bypassing the Contender Series entirely, which immediately spoke volumes about how highly they view him. He entered the promotion with 81,000 social media followers and jumped to 122,000 after just one UFC appearance, a clear sign his popularity is accelerating.
Riley already has strong backing in England, but his appeal feels ready to go international. Training at Next Gen MMA alongside Paddy Pimblett brings added visibility, and he showed a well-rounded skill set in his UFC debut. A jaw-dropping TKO early in the second round made a strong first impression. Still young with plenty of time to grow, Riley looks like a future star in the making.
Islam Dulatov
Born in Russia and now training and living in Germany, Islam Dulatov brings a rare blend of fighting ability and mainstream appeal. Before stepping fully into the MMA spotlight, he modeled for global brands like Versace, Gucci, Lanvin, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hugo Boss, and was ranked among the top 10 male models in 2018.
Dulatov is also pursuing business ventures outside the UFC, pulling in fanbases far beyond the sport itself. With 559,000 social media followers, his reach already extends well past the cage. That said, he delivers where it matters, boasting multiple first-round finishes that make him must-watch every time he competes.
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