The month of March had a number of prospects who absolutely should be on the UFC’s radar, and from historic events to back-to-back cards, this was one of the most difficult lists to cut down to just five fighters. Here are five prospects who can instantly impact their weight class and should be signed by the UFC.
Asaf Chopurov, 24, 10-0-0, Bantamweight
What else does Asaf Chopurov need to do at this point? The 24-year-old bantamweight should already be on the UFC’s roster and probably could’ve been signed as early as October 2024. Instead, here we are, campaigning for Chopurov’s name to be called next.
Currently the #1 ranked prospect on our Top 25 prospect rankings, Chopurov has all the tools to be a UFC champion. Chopurov possesses a beautiful ground game, which he often relies on. He’s taking down his opponents with ease and transitioning to dominant positions where he can find the finish. If he’s not smashing through his opponents’ guard for GnP, Chopurov is finding the back and cinching up the RNC: the bantamweight’s signature submission.
Chopurov is more than capable on the feet as well, landing a high volume of low kicks and battering the lead leg of his opponent. Notably, Chopurov has a grueling set of elbows and counterstrikes, catching his opponents off guard when feinting a level change.
After defending his title on March 28, securing a round-one submission over 14-6-0 Adriano Ramos, Chopurov should be a shoo-in for the UFC Baku card on June 27. Representing Azerbaijan, if the matchmaking committee can’t find a way to get the undefeated 24-year-old onto the roster, they’re doing something wrong. Get Asaf Chopurov to the big show NOW!!!
Roland Dunlap, 33, 7-0-0, Light Heavyweight
Roland Dunlap is an interesting prospect, given that he made his amateur debut back in 2015 and didn’t complete his second professional fight until 2021. The 33-year-old fighter, however, has been on a tear as of late.
Following a flawless performance at APFC 23, where he finished 5-3-0 Coby Bradford in just 18 seconds, Dunlap has been the topic of conversation at both 185 and 205. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native secured and defended the middleweight championship in 2025. Since then, he has been competing in the light heavyweight division. Back in 2023, Dunlap debuted professionally at 205 pounds under the PFL Challenger Series. While it was only a one-fight stay with the promotion, Dunlap was successful, scoring a unanimous decision victory over Montè Deon Ogbonna-Morrison.
Dunlap has a well-rounded skillset, though he is definitely at his best when emphatically bringing his opponents to the mat. Perhaps Dunlap’s most impressive finish came when he hit a perfect double-leg, lifting his opponent above his shoulders and slamming him unconscious, followed by some violent elbows to score the knockout. Fighting behind a wide stance with his power hand cocked back, ready to snipe the opposition with a straight left, Dunlap is no slouch on the feet, either. He has a wide arsenal in the kicking game to add to his offense. He shows the occasional spinning roundhouse kick, backed by a volume of kicks to soften his opponent’s front leg.
While most fans are aware the UFC isn’t keen on signing 33-year-old prospects, Dunlap wouldn’t require much buildup like some of the younger options. He would be able to compete right away with light-heavyweight fighters just outside of the UFC’s current top 15 and surely draw ranked opposition in a short amount of time. If Mick Maynard was paying attention in the crowd at APFC 23, this deal should already be done. If not, then Roland Dunlap is an excellent candidate to join the UFC in the near future.
Anthony Wint, 30, 6-0-0, Heavyweight
We’ve all seen the quick success of ex-49ers fullback Josh Hokit; it’s taken him just two fights in the UFC to be facing off with #5 Curtis Blaydes on April 11 at UFC 327. So, let’s hit the well again with ex-Jets linebacker Anthony Wint.
Wint has been simply crushing guys as of late, and on March 15, the Florida native became the Fury FC heavyweight champion in just 37 seconds. At 5-foot-11, the undefeated heavyweight Wint is packed to the gills with muscle and possesses a speed that’s unknown to the heavyweight division.
Wint’s striking has clearly been one of the more advantageous qualities of his career, though throughout his amateur and professional career, the ex-Jet has also found two submission wins. Before fully committing to his football career, Wint was once a credentialed high school wrestler in Florida; mixed with his knockout power, Wint shapes up as one of the most well-rounded heavyweight prospects on the regional scene.
As of right now, there are only ten confirmed bouts on the Newark, New Jersey, card, UFC 328. Could a return to the Garden State be for the former Jets linebacker? It seems like a perfect opportunity to introduce top prospect Anthony Wint on one of the biggest stages in the U.S.
For more on Anthony Wint, check out Patrick Danna’s in-depth article here.
George Staines, 25, 9-0-0, Lightweight
George Staines has built one of the more impressive résumés outside the UFC. A former IMMAF champion and Oktagon contender, Staines has lost just once in more than twenty career fights. With that lone defeat coming by decision in his final amateur appearance. Since entering the professional ranks, Staines has reeled off nine consecutive victories, including three finishes and six unanimous decisions.
Staines is relentless in scrambles, hard to keep grounded, and excellent at flipping dangerous spots into favorable ones with slick reversals. On top, he applies heavy control and uses his cardio well to keep a wrestling-based game plan working deep into fights. Staines won’t be one to chase finishes, though he still poses a massive threat with a sneaky guillotine and sharp, slicing ground strikes. He’s very selective on the feet, though when landing, Staines is a marvel to see work in and out of the pocket. Rarely ever keeping his head on the center line, Staines has some of the best striking defense outside of the UFC.
Most recently, Staines scored the biggest victory of his career, a unanimous decision win over the undefeated Marcelo Marques, handing him the first loss of his fighting career. Many believed this matchup could’ve been a Contender Series bout in itself, so there’s no denying that George Staines deserves to be in the mix for a UFC contract. Not to mention, the 25-year-old has already defeated several fighters on the UFC’s radar while on the amateur scene, including Shane Collins and Zé Machado.
This would be a homerun signing- Staines has been fighting at such a high level for his entire career, both amateur and professional. With his connection to Paddy Pimblett, this one should be a no-brainer for the UFC brass.
Summer Onley, 31, 6-0-0, Women’s Bantamweight
Summer Onley is coming off yet another knockout victory, this time taking out Myllena Messias at FCC 45 on March 7. Since turning pro in the summer of 2024, it’s been hard to find a more entertaining prospect at women’s bantamweight than the Derby, England, native.
A talented striker fighting behind a stiff jab, Onley is more than comfortable on her feet. At 5-foot-7, Onley tends to lead the dance in the majority of her bouts. She often gets ahead of her opponents by controlling the range. What’s most impressive, though, is the effortless power behind Onley’s strikes, a rarity on the regional WMMA scene, securing five knockouts over six victories. Onley mixes her targets up as well, pounding both the head and body of her opponents. Combined with a great gas tank (showcased in her only decision vs Thiciany Ferreira), Onley is a master when striking.
While largely untested on the ground, Onley has held up defensively to this point in her career. Her strength and size prove overwhelming for opponents. Within the pocket, Onley possesses a good amount of tools alongside the cage, landing a volume of knees that soften up the midsection of her opponent. Again, it would be informative to see Onley against a true threat on the ground. She has largely faced strikers up to this point, but regardless, the 31-year-old would inject a serious finishing threat into the women’s bantamweight division.
For more on Summer Onley, check out her edition of She’s Next by Cedric Dumas.