Farida Abdueva
6-1, 21 years old, Strawweight, Kyrgyzstan
I turn to the Asian continent for the first time in this list to highlight Farida Abdueva, a young fighter from Kyrgyzstan. The year 2025 marked a true breakout for her, as she was brought in to face elite prospect and reigning champion Ayan Tursyn at Octagon 71. Abdueva managed to dethrone a fighter widely viewed as a future UFC signing, earning a split-decision victory in a major upset. She more recently made her first title defense, securing an easy win in the opening round.
Abdueva is a high-level striker and one of the most promising prospects on this list. I am aware that I have already included several 115-pound fighters, but each deserves their place, and the Kyrgyz prospect is no exception. I believe fans will quickly fall in love with her style, and despite her young age, her statement wins already reflect a level of maturity well beyond her years.
Layze Cerqueira
12-5, 29 years old, Bantamweight, Brazil
I went back and forth quite a bit on whether to include Layze Cerqueira in my top 20. At first glance, she does not appear particularly special. However, she has been on an impressive winning streak since 2023. She is the reigning 135-pound champion in Jungle Fight, one of the largest organizations in Brazil, and her last four wins are solid by Brazilian regional scene standards. Her 2025 campaign ended with a 2–0 record, including a successful title defense.
This is a somewhat unusual write-up for me. I am not fully sold on Cerqueira, but she competes in a weight class that is currently in demand at the UFC, she is entering her prime, has finishes on her record, and is a well-rounded fighter. Even if the UFC is not immediately convinced, she would be an excellent option as a serious test for other fighters in a potential DWCS matchup.
Farida Abdueva further UFC strawweight champion ☝🏻