With many high-level organizations, including the UFC and the PFL, hosting more and more events, and with talents performing at the highest level, Europe is establishing itself as one of the centers of global MMA. In addition to these fighters already at the top, a new generation from the continent is emerging. Every month, I will present 5 of these European prospects to watch for.
Dmitrii Ceacusta (2-0) Light Heavyweight – Moldova
Moldova is gradually establishing itself as a nation not to be overlooked in European MMA. This small Eastern European country, one of the poorest in Europe, has shone more in wrestling in recent years. However, recently, promising fighters have emerged from the country. Dmitrii Ceacusta is one of them.
Ceacusta is a product of Moldovan wrestling. He was part of the Moldovan national team for many years and had a strong junior career. The highlight of that career was a 3rd-place finish at the 2017 European Junior Championships. This achievement shows the high potential Ceacusta had in wrestling.
However, after this successful wrestling career, he turned to MMA. In 2021, he finished 2nd at the GAMMA European Championships, marking his first major amateur success. But it was in 2024 that he truly broke out. That year, he achieved a double by winning both the European and World GAMMA Championships. In these two competitions, he already showcased his main strengths: strong wrestling, solid chain wrestling, effective ground-and-pound, and significant striking power.
Following these successes, he made his pro debut at the end of 2024. The result: 2 wins by first-round TKO. The method: takedowns followed by heavy ground-and-pound that left his opponents with no chance. In a light heavyweight division lacking depth, Ceacusta could quickly make a name for himself—especially since his wrestling could take him to the top very fast.
However, his striking still needs refinement if he wants to reach the highest level. Hopefully, he will be able to secure fights, which have proven somewhat difficult for him in recent years. Signing with a major Eastern European organization would be ideal for his development. KSW, FNC, or Oktagon could quickly take interest in him.
Fighter’s statement:
“As a fighter, my style is pressure, discipline, and constant improvement. I like to push the pace and test my opponent’s heart. I feel comfortable everywhere—striking or grappling—and I’m always ready for a war in the cage. My ambition is to reach the highest level in MMA and fight the best fighters in the world. Every day I work to become stronger, smarter, and more complete as a fighter. What I want fans to know about me is that I fight with heart and never quit. When I step into the cage, I represent my people and everyone who supports me. And remember my nickname—Alabai.”
Najib Adams Morllah (3-1) Light Heavyweight – Sweden
Sweden is an important country in European MMA. With fighters like Khamzat and Gustafsson coming from the Scandinavian nation, the country has shown it is full of talent. At light heavyweight, Arlind Berisha is clearly the standout in the eyes of observers. However, in his team, AllStar Training Center, there is another talented light heavyweight: Najib Adams Morllah.
He first made a name for himself on the amateur circuit. In Sweden, he delivered two brutal knockouts in local organizations that caught attention. At the IMMAF World Championships, he reached the semifinals, losing to Alik Domnich, who later tested positive after the tournament. After this strong amateur run, he decided to turn professional. Personally, I think he could have benefited from staying amateur for another year to continue developing.
Morllah’s style is fairly simple to describe: he is a brawler with heavy boxing power, devastating high kicks, and the ability to wrestle if needed. This style has allowed him to rack up big knockouts, but it is a double-edged sword. Indeed, Morllah often leaves himself exposed and takes many shots to land his own.
This weakness was exposed in his first professional fight. Against the experienced Leon Krajačić. Morllah opened up too much, got countered, and was knocked out. It was a major disappointment for such a promising fighter. Choosing such an experienced opponent for his debut may have been risky.
Nevertheless, it provided clear areas for improvement for Morllah and his team. His phenomenal power on the feet must be complemented by better technique if he wants to dominate opponents. He dominated in his three following fights: three brutal knockouts that showcased his full potential.
Morllah has already shown he is too strong for the Swedish scene with this streak. The next step in his career will be in Oktagon, with a first fight in April against Robin Fošum. Oktagon seems like the perfect organization for him, allowing him to develop and gradually face tougher competition. In 2026, I hope Morllah will break out on the continental stage and continue delivering highlight-reel knockouts.
Senan Safarli (3-0) Flyweight – France
Senan Safarli has been around MMA for quite some time and has long been considered a promising fighter. Back in 2017, he won the IMMAF European Championships, suggesting a bright future for the Azerbaijani fighter.
However, things did not go as planned. He disappeared for two years before returning in 2019 to make his professional debut at Ased FC. That first fight was a masterclass: he submitted his opponent in the first round and seemed back on track toward the top. But once again, he disappeared.
He returned in 2025 at AEC in France for his second professional fight. In the meantime, he had relocated and now lives in Laval, France. He does not appear to have been completely inactive during those six years, as he competed in and won several grappling competitions. These likely helped him improve his ground game, already a strong aspect of his style.
For his return, AEC gave him no easy matchup. He faced Belgian prospect Lasha Gogishvili, who was 6-0 as an amateur at the time. Safarli entered as a clear underdog against a highly regarded talent. Yet he defied expectations and won by unanimous decision. His formula: dominant wrestling, relentless takedown attempts that gave his opponent no breathing room, and solid ground-and-pound to inflict damage.
After this impressive win, one might have expected him to stay active. However, it wasn’t until 2026 that he had his third fight. His opponent: another prospect, Adam Magomadov (2-0, 14-6 amateur), considered a major French flyweight prospect.
Once again, Safarli was the underdog—and once again, he defied expectations. His wrestling and chain wrestling suffocated Magomadov, who could do little but endure. On the ground, Safarli controlled the fight and inflicted damage to win rounds.
With this victory, Safarli firmly establishes himself as a prospect to watch at 125 lbs. He now has two strong Francophone prospects on his résumé. His wrestling is a serious problem for opponents, and although there are still questions about his striking, he seems built to go far.
The remaining question is his activity level. Fighting only once a year is currently the biggest obstacle to his career. Hopefully, that will change. I’d like to see him capture the AEC title in 2026 before moving on to a bigger organization.
Ahma Omarov (4-0) Middleweight – Germany
Germany seems to be somewhat behind when it comes to MMA. Compared to its neighbors like France and Poland, the country is clearly lagging. There is no major local organization and no fighters competing at the highest level in the UFC or PFL, making it difficult for Germany to develop its MMA scene. Only Oktagon seems capable of helping the sport grow in the country.
Despite these challenges, some talents are emerging—and Omarov is one of them. In my opinion, he is the one with the brightest future.
He first made a name for himself on the German amateur circuit, compiling an impressive 9-0 record. He defeated solid opponents, including Frans Djimtche (12-2) and Sedat Demir (15-6). This record is even more impressive considering he secured five finishes, which is notable at the amateur level.
This run made him one of the top prospects to watch in Germany ahead of his professional debut—and he did not disappoint. His first three professional fights all ended in first-round submissions. His fourth victory was another finish, this time a third-round TKO.
Omarov has clearly dominated the competition at the start of his career. His strong wrestling, combined with solid grappling, makes him a serious problem for opponents. While his striking still needs improvement, his strengths could take him far on the European scene.
An injury kept him out of the cage at the end of 2025, but he is expected to return in 2026 in Oktagon. In a division stacked with European talent, Omarov will have to earn his place. Oktagon seems like the ideal organization for him to confirm his potential and gradually face tougher competition.
Now, the key will be activity. If he can stay active in 2026, he could truly break out on the international stage.
Fighter’s statement:
“If you’re looking for happiness, this isn’t the place. This is pain and hard work.”
Bobby Chikavhu (3-0) Bantamweight – England
England is one of the best countries in the world for BJJ and grappling. Many British fighters come from these disciplines and possess a very high level. Bobby Chikavhu is one of them.
He has extensive grappling experience, with over a hundred matches recorded on Smoothcomp. This experience allowed him to quickly perform in MMA. First, as an amateur, he compiled a 4-0 record, notably defeating another promising European prospect, Delffy Humer.
He made his professional debut in 2024, winning by unanimous decision. For his second professional fight, he faced Gary Rooney, perhaps the most promising Irish flyweight prospect at the time. Rooney entered the fight with a 2-0 pro record and a 13-4 amateur record, having been champion in some of the top British amateur organizations such as Shock N Wave and Cage Legacy.
After a competitive but largely controlled fight, Chikavhu won by unanimous decision, adding another major name in British MMA to his résumé. This victory marked a turning point and established him as one of the fighters to watch in England.
He confirmed this momentum by becoming Shock N Wave bantamweight champion, defeating Samuel Draper by unanimous decision.
Chikavhu’s style is built around his strong grappling. With solid offensive wrestling and an excellent ability to take his opponents’ backs, he suffocates them on the ground. However, one criticism is his lack of activity in dominant positions. He rarely pushes for submissions or damage through ground-and-pound, often settling for control. His takedown defense is also a strength—he is very difficult to bring to the ground.
In terms of striking, Chikavhu has made a smart choice by joining GB Top Team, a gym known for producing high-level strikers, including Nathaniel Wood and Lone’er Kavanagh. He has made significant improvements in this area. In his last fight, he displayed aggressive and highly effective striking, with his low kicks and body kicks doing serious damage. If he continues progressing at this rate, he could quickly become a problem on the feet as well.
Chikavhu returns on April 4 against Habib Samadi (1-0). After that fight, I hope to see him sign with Cage Warriors, where he could break out on a larger stage. If he stays active in 2026, a shot at the 2027 DWCS could be within reach.
Fighter’s statement:
“I have a very aggressive and explosive style of fighting. I’m also a smart fighter, and I’m good everywhere. I have no weaknesses.”