The 10 most exciting MMA prospects today

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Whether it’s extremely tough and durable fighters, fighters with a flashy exciting style, or those with massive fight-ending power, there are many names building on regional scene that should be known to fight fans around the world.

Here is a list of the most exciting prospects in today’s MMA space. Those you should always tune in to watch when they’re in action…

Featherweight, Hyder Amil (7-0)

Amil recently showed how exciting he was in the LFA 137 main event besting Chase Gibson. Amil is known for his scrappy fighting style, always marching forward and letting his hands go. He usually goes through adversity in his fights… Since his defense isn’t great, his resilience and toughness are hard to match.

Hyder has that dog in him, as some will say. He doesn’t have as much technique; but pressure, cardio, power, and toughness have got him to the undefeated record he has today. You can easily go back and watch all his fights in Bellator and LFA.

Welterweight, Kaleb Rideout (7-2)

Rideout has been putting on exciting fights over in Australia the last few years. There are not many guys you will see on the feet punching a leg and throwing hammer fist, but Rideout does it. He is a six-foot-two welterweight who has also fought at lightweight and is only 25-years-old. That would get any talent scout interested in his style…

If anything, Rideout is a guy you want to tune in to watch every time he fights. With his long frame, it’s always nice to see someone know how to use their length. Rideout has a strong long jab and throws a lot of kicks. He’s got the knockout power in his hands, and his kicks. He’s also explosive, as seen when he smells blood in the water. Rideout does a real good job at controlling the range and is tricky with what he’s going to throw, being both diverse and awkward. He recently beat a guy like Kevin Jousset, which is pretty impressive.

Featherweight, Tobias Harila (10-3)

Tobias Harila is the type of fighter you want to watch. He’s going to go out on his shield every time and win or lose, he’s going to make it rough. He did fall short in his last fight, but not many guys are outgunning him like Samuel Bark did. Harila is extremely tough and will take damage to give some.

Harila does slow as the fight progresses, but never stops fighting. He has good striking with good power and most importantly, his work rate is super impressive. Harila’s just not tough, as he has some real skill as well. He just takes too much damage. But if he doesn’t wilt, he’s gonna eventually melt you…

Flyweight, Alisson Murilo (6-1)

Murilo is one of these violent Brazilians we see often, but there are not many like him at 125 pounds. He went 10-4 as an amateur. His only loss as a pro was a scrap, and has looked even better since. Murilo is well-rounded, but an excellent striker when he puts his hands together. He’s got quick hands and is always throwing in combinations.

Alisson got the explosiveness you’d like to see at flyweight, and has the power to match. He can strike with almost anybody, but also has the ability to use wrestling and end it on the mat. Murilo has fight-ending ground-and-pound and has finished people three times with a submission. Not a lot is known of Murlio, but there needs to be more eyes on him.

Middleweight, Sharaputdin Magomedov (10-0)

Magomedov is a 28-year-old middleweight with an undefeated record of 10-0. Outside of MMA, he was a Eurasia champion in Burmese boxing, 18-2 in K1, and a Russian muay thai champion. There is no disguise to the style of Magomedov; he’s not gonna be someone to shoot takedowns, but instead will chip away from all angles on the feet. The best thing Magomedov brings to the table is diversity. He literally throws everything in the kitchen at you, and throws in different varieties. Magomedov’s hands, knees, legs, elbows; he’s always implanting into his game.

I would say seeing him fight is like using a fighter in EA games. But nothing or no one does it as smooth as Magomedov, he has excellent dexterity in his legs. He throws a ton of sidekicks, hook kicks, crescent kicks, ax kicks, and wheel kicks. Nobody fights like that guy in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, ONE, or anywhere else… Some may have a similar style, but nobody perfects it as he does. Sharaputdin is one of the most intriguing and exciting prospects out there, and shockingly is blind in one eye.

Bantamweight, Dominique Wooding (9-4)

After a 1-3 run from 2018-2020, Wooding signed with Cage Warriors and had a resurgence in his career. Since signing CW in 2021, Wooding has gone 3-0 and won their bantamweight title. He has a lot of experience fighting good fighters and spent some time in Bellator.

Wooding is a dynamic, explosive fighter that is insanely quick and athletic. He can finish the fight at any time. Exciting to watch and still only 25-years-old, the sky is truly the limit for him. Wooding is at his peak right now, and he’s been competing at a high level which is always great to see in today’s prospects…

Strawweight, Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (4-0)

Knutsson has an extensive kickboxing career. Her kickboxing record is 27-5, and she has beaten women like Mellony Geugjes and Kana Morimoto. Knutsson also has a background in amateur Muay Thai and was the 2018 IFMA World Championships gold medallist.

She fights with a lot of volume, feints, and power. She also throws combinations along with her kicks. But her striking altogether is excellent… Knutsson could very possibly be the real deal at strawweight.

Welterweight, Raheam Forest (5-0)

Forest went just 5-6 as an amateur, so the resurgence he’s had in his career has been amazing to watch. When talking about the guys with massive power in their hands, that’s Forest. Not just his hands, he kicks like a mule and is very explosive. He brings that with constant forward pressure, and a good gas tank.

Raheam is a good wrestler as well, being capable of taking this fight anywhere. He has a heavy top position and nasty ground-and-pound. Everything he does is with 100% commitment and power. There isn’t much not to like about this guy… I think he’s a stud and has a high ceiling.

Flyweight, An Ho (2-0)

An Ho’s first two pro fights show just how violent the young man from Vietnam can be. It was a spinning backfist in his debut and in his latest fight, he landed a head kick knockout elevating his opponent off of his feet. Ho is a product out of the MMA Lab that has a bright future. He’s only 2-0, but was 7-0 as an amateur.

Ho was the RUF MMA amateur champion, and defended his title multiple times. He’s well-rounded with a flashy fighting style that will excite the fans. As a pro, he hasn’t been able to show his full skill set because he’s been blitzing through guys. An has a deep toolset and brings a savage demeanor to the cage every time.

Lightweight, Ignacio Capella (7-1)

Capella is an action-packed fighter from Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. He is constantly going to push the pace and be in your face. He’s a volume guy, throwing combinations purely. He likes to get in the pocket and rip to the body and head.

Ignacio can land that kill shot at any point, having power in both hands. He throws with so much power in everything he throws, but he does slow down as the fight goes on. His takedown defense isn’t great either… Capella is a warrior though and in the fight, if he gets an inch – he’s gonna take a mile.

For an extended look into this piece get to know an additional ten exciting prospects by subscribing to my Patreon.

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