Last week, the only pro debut I was interested in was Yannick Goitom. A fight he won dominantly, and looks as if he’s someone to watch for. This week is a big one for debuts and is definitely one worth writing about.
Welterweight, Alexis Nicolas – Ares FC 40/Friday
Alexis Nicolas is a French kickboxer making the jump to MMA without prior cage experience. He’s no stranger to combat sports, with a decorated kickboxing career that includes ISKA K-1 World Super Middleweight Champion, KGP K-1 World Champion, Savate Junior World Champion, and ONE Championship Welterweight Kickboxing Champion. In kickboxing, he’s known for clean, technical striking. At 27, he’s a young fighter with plenty of upside and one to watch as he adapts to MMA.
Middleweight, Dmitry Salamatin – MMA Raju 19/Saturday
Dmitry Salamatin enters MMA without prior experience but brings a strong combat sports background. He’s competed in Muay Thai, holding a reported 10-3 record, and has been named Estonian Athlete of the Year twice. Salamatin is also an IFMA Antalya Open gold medalist and a European champion. At 6’3” and just 26, he’s athletic, explosive, and dynamic, with strong output and proficiency in kicks, punches, elbows, and knees.
Bantamweight, Younes Bonte – Levels Fight League 22/Saturday
Bonta is finally making his pro debut after nine years as an amateur. Despite numerous fight cancellations, he managed to compete twice last year and captured the Cage Warriors Academy Bantamweight title during that span. His only loss came to PFL’s Movsar Ibragimov.
A straightforward striker, Bonta relies on clean one-twos and a lead right hook, primarily to set up his takedowns, where he truly excels. He’s an excellent wrestler along the cage, capable of changing levels and chaining attempts, with strong top control and slick jiu-jitsu. While he plays it safe, with only a 20% finish rate, his skill set suggests he could become more aggressive as a pro.
Flyweight, Sarah Moussaddak – Ares FC 40/Friday
Sarah Moussaddak is the third prospect this week, making her MMA debut from another discipline. A French-Moroccan kickboxer, she’s best known for her time in Glory Kickboxing, where she twice challenged for the Super Bantamweight title. Moussaddak is also an ISKA European Champion, WAKO-Pro K-1 World Champion, and won La Nuit des Titans last year. With a 10-4 kickboxing record, she brings high-level striking that should translate well to MMA.
Bantamweight, Juan Gutierrez – Fury FC 118/Sunday
“El Carnicero” makes his pro debut after a strong amateur career, going 6-1 against solid competition. He trains out of Metro Fight Club alongside Cam Smotherman and Adrian Yanez. Gutierrez comes out all business, with no feeling-out process, maintaining a high, tight guard and throwing in volume. He’s clean on the outside with his straights and effective boxing on the inside.
A lanky, tricky grappler, Gutierrez uses his build to complicate opponents’ defenses. He has a sneaky choke game and effectively uses his legs to control position, including body triangles. At just 21, he has the experience, team, and setup to build a promising pro career.