10 Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2026

While the Heavyweight division’s future seems bleak, there is always hope. Scouting for this list was actually trickier than anticipated, but not due to the lack of prospects. If anything, it showed that the regional scene is still producing solid HW talent across the globe.

 

 

Gable Steveson

(2-0) 25 years old

The number 1 spot on this list couldn’t be more obvious. Steveson is a 2020 Olympic gold medalist and a 5x All-American, also holding two NCAA D1 national championships. Those accolades alone made him an enticing prospect before ever stepping in the cage, but when legends like Jon Jones have you in their camp, it only adds to that hype.

 

Steveson tried his hand in pro wrestling and the NFL before transitioning to MMA, both of which were unsuccessful. Despite this, his hype as a potential MMA fighter only grew until he took the step. Since his anticipated September debut, Steveson had already racked up 3 fights in as many months. A 15-second KO win in Dirty Boxing showed Steveson’s power and boxing prowess, surprising many fans. His background made him one of the best potential HW prospects, and now that he’s delivered, confidence can only be at an all-time high.

 

Anthony Wint

(5-0) 30 years old

Former NFL linebacker Anthony Wint has improved rapidly since his April 2023 debut. While already being an incredible athlete, Wint has rounded out his game in MMA as he gains fight time. His 31-second blitzing through Miles Banks in late November showed a new side of Wint.

 

With his improvement, it would only make sense if Wint got the shot he called for after that win. The UFC has shown a liking for signing athletes from the NFL in the past, and Wint may be one of the better prospects of the bunch. He’s already been on the radar of the PFL, having been booked there for his second pro fight. The UFC should act fast while Wint is in his prime to maximize his ceiling and give him the chance to prove his skill. If not, I could see him in a potential HW title fight against the next guy on this list.

 

Joel Faglier

(5-0) 24 years old

Another Fury FC Heavyweight on my list is none other than Malcolm Wellmaker’s teammate, Joel Faglier. With a 13-0 record across his pro and amateur career, Faglier’s experience in the sport at just 24 is crucial. In those 13 wins, Faglier has only one decision.

 

Faglier pairs his MMA experience with a background in wrestling and Muay Thai. His well-rounded skill set shows in his sharp fight IQ, as he knows exactly when to change looks and mix up his attacks. Since March 2024, he has fought eight times, an exceptional level of activity rarely seen in any division, especially Heavyweight. With Wellmaker’s rise to popularity, I would expect to see Faglier signed sooner rather than later.

 

Jovan Leka

(11-2) 23 years old

This may be a controversial pick, as Leka already won on DWCS and was skipped over. That fight against Nuftillaev wasn’t a good look, but it was a win. Leka is a clean striker, but managed to grapple his way to a win in that fight. Considering Leka is only 23 years old, he has loads of room for improvement and remains one of the better Heavyweights outside of a major promotion.

 

It would be no surprise to see him get another chance on DWCS or even get a short-notice shot, but I would understand the UFC’s frustration with his performance. If Leka picks up another win or two, it’d be hard to justify not giving a young HW like him another chance. He’s also managed by Iridium, who usually get those short-notice chances. With a solid level of competition compared to most other HW prospects, I’m still high on Leka.

 

Marcelo de Lima

(5-0) 22 years old

The youngest prospect on this list is none other than 22-year-old Marcelo de Lima. de Lima is still a bit under the radar, but picked up his first big win against a 6-0 opponent in under 90 seconds in July. In 2024 alone, de Lima had 8 wins in boxing, 4 in MMA, and two across kickboxing and Muay Thai. His 2-1 amateur career also started at 18, where he avenged his only loss 8 months later.

 

de Lima has not yet seen a second round as a pro, with 3 submissions and 2 TKOs. All three of those submission wins come with different methods: an americana, a kimura, and an RNC. He seems most comfortable on the ground, but can throw some explosive combinations on the feet with fast hands. While his overall level of competition is weak, I have high hopes for what he can become.

 

Moreno Kacapor

(12-3) 33 years old

Kacapor was one of the names I debated most on this list. At 33, Kacapor is the oldest fighter in my ranking. His strong résumé and championships across multiple promotions make a great case, though. The ARES FC and Lions FC Heavyweight Champion has wins over UFC fighter Louie Sutherland and DWCS fighter Arthur Lopes.

 

While Kacapor’s age likely limits his upside, his last six wins all come by TKO. The signing of ARES FC Light Heavyweight Champion Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev has worked out well for the UFC so far. Getting their Heavyweight champion on the roster next may not be a bad move. Kacapor defends his ARES HW championship against Xavier Lessou, whom he already has a win against, on January 9th.

 

Miha Frlic

(6-0-1) 25 years old

After a draw in his pro debut, Miha Frlic has been on a tear. The BRAVE CF heavyweight picked up his sixth straight TKO just a few weeks ago, likely securing a title fight. He has shown scary power in all his fights, dropping or finishing every opponent he’s faced in R1.

 

Frlic’s KO win over Shah Kamali in a hotly contested fight between two rising prospects was crucial to this ranking. Kamali had been rumored to be on DWCS with a win, and it was surprising when Frlic wasn’t featured following the fight. He’s done everything right to this point and has earned his chance at the UFC.

 

Alexander Podmarev

(23-5) 31 years old

A tricky striker with great takedown defense, Podmarev would be a sick addition to the UFC’s HW division. A nine-fight winning streak dating back to mid-2022 has seen eight first-round finishes. Despite not having the best level of competition, Podmarev uses a whole arsenal of strikes in his fights.

 

Coming up on his 10th year as a pro, it would be nice to see Podmarev get a chance in the UFC while he’s found his footing. After starting his career 8-4, Podmarev is 15-1 since then. 11 finishes in those 15 wins, combined with the fact he’s never been finished, make Podmarev an exciting UFC candidate for 2026. He faces Cleiton Silva in what should be his 10th straight win on December 13th.

 

Alexandr Drabinca

(3-0) 25 years old

Despite having a relatively young career in the sport, Drabinca has garnered some solid social media attention. Drabinca has racked up three wins in 2025, all first-round finishes, while catching some slack for his post-finish handling in his pro debut.

 

Drabinca has some solid amateur experience combined with BJJ and Muay Thai competitions. His big length and frame are used well, with strong striking at range and some nasty chokes. While he is still fairly unknown to most, I could see Drabinca making a name for himself in 2026 and finding his way into the UFC with his impressive skill set.

 

Josh Carrick

(2-0) 25 years old

The last spot on the list goes to England’s Josh Carrick, training partner of Tom Aspinall. Carrick has a decent 7-3 record as an amateur, but has the tools to work his way into the UFC. Carrick smashed through 4-0 Igor Frietas with a devastating 35 second KO in September.

 

His rugby background grants Carrick superb athletcism for HW, with speed that is rarely seen in the weight class. Carrick’s striking offense is a thing of beauty to watch, but strides must be made with his striking defense if he wants to make a run to the UFC. At just 25 years old, Carrick has the room to work on his flaws with progressing on his strengths. If Carrick can work on his defensive flaws, his ceiling is very high.

 

The last couple of spots on this list were tough to pick out, with decent competition and a couple of other guys worth mentioning. If there is anyone that was missed, let us know so we can keep our eye on them!