Mochamed Machaev
26 years old – Austria – Oktagon – 16-2 (1 NC)
When Losene Keita signed with the UFC, we needed someone to fill the void of the consensus best prospect of the European promotions. Although there are other good fighters like Nik Bagley, Max Holzer, and Solomon Simon worth mentioning, it’s Machaev who I think most fits the bill.
Machaev already has a veteran record at the age of 26. Although he does have a couple of losses on his record, they were both up at 155, where he’s too small for his gameplan to be effective. At his natural weight, his approach is highly effective—using a steady kicking game on the feet before changing levels, ragdolling opponents on the ground, and hunting submissions or ground-and-pound. He showcased this perfectly in his recent mauling of the very physical Wanderley Junior, finishing him in the second round.
Machaev takes on another European prospect in Niko Samsonidse at the end of January. He should certainly be on the UFC’s radar if he continues on his current trajectory, depending on what his contractual status with Oktagon is.