What a few weeks it’s been for standout performances across the MMA world. The matchmakers’ job has never been easier, and this month’s pool of talent may be the strongest of the year. Here are the Top 5 UFC-Ready Prospects from June:
George Staines, 25, Lightweight, 10-0-0
Featured in the previous edition of Top 5 UFC-Ready Prospects from May, George Staines has once again proven he belongs among the elite. Any past concerns about his finishing ability were put to rest in his latest outing. A former IMMAF champion and Oktagon contender, Staines brings an extensive background in high-level competition and remains undefeated since turning pro.
It’s hard to overstate his consistency- Staines continues to improve with each performance. He applies relentless pressure, rarely fighting from behind; all while posing a constant submission threat with his guillotine and damaging ground-and-pound. On the feet, the Cage Warriors lightweight is composed and defensively sound, maintaining a high guard while picking his moments to unleash sharp combinations to the body and head.
There’s only so much left to say- Cage Warriors has long been a pipeline to the UFC, and Staines may be the promotion’s next premier export. If the Hull native isn’t signed by the end of July, it’s fair to question what’s holding things up.
Alvi Dasuyev, 24, Welterweight, 9-0-0
Alvi Dasuyev continues to prove the hype is real. The 24-year-old striker debuted in Ares FC this June, stepped into an interim title opportunity, and added yet another first-round knockout to his résumé.
Dasuyev carries a true finisher’s mentality. He explodes out of the gate with flying knees, high kicks, and aggressive combinations designed to force opponents onto the back foot. Once he senses vulnerability, he commits fully, unloading with power and urgency.
Though this marked just his first fight of 2026, his rapid rise over the past year has been impossible to ignore. Backed by a strong amateur pedigree, including IMMAF experience and a five-round win over Patrick Habirora, Dasuyev is quickly outgrowing the regional scene. The UFC shouldn’t overthink this one- his style fits their interests perfectly.
Nik Bagley, 29, Featherweight, 9-1-0
Defending his featherweight title at Cage Warriors 208, Nik Bagley returned to his finishing form with a submission over Aidan Lee. After an injury-plagued 2025, the Ukrainian-English fighter has bounced back with two straight wins in 2026, reaffirming his place as one of the top prospects at 145 pounds.
Bagley’s grappling remains his calling card. His timing on level changes and ability to take the back are elite, leading to seven professional wins via submission- six of them by rear-naked choke. In his latest performance, he also showed notable improvements on the feet, hurting Lee with clean combinations before securing the finish in the third round.
Training out of Great Britain Top Team, Bagley has done everything needed to earn a step up. After taking the belt from Solomon Simon and defending it just months later, he’s positioned himself as a clear candidate for the UFC roster.
Yusuf Esembaev, 22, Welterweight, 5-0-0
Undefeated across both amateur and professional competition, Yusuf “Stormborn” Esembaev has spent just 13 minutes and 39 seconds in the cage. The 22-year-old Russian prospect, now fighting out of San Diego, California, has finished every opponent in the first round- including a dominant 24-second stoppage to claim the A1 Combat title on June 27.
Veteran regional fighter Troy Green has historically proven durable, even going the distance with PFL’s Ernesto Rodriguez. Esembaev, however, made quick work of him, continuing a trend of overwhelming dominance. His ground game stands out in particular, combining power, control, and urgency in every exchange.
With a belt now around his waist and no signs of slowing down, Esembaev may soon run out of viable regional competition. If this level of dominance continues, it won’t take long for the UFC to come calling.
Ieuan Davies, 28, Lightweight, 8-0-0
Ieuan Davies has made an emphatic return from injury, picking up back-to-back wins since March- including the biggest victory of his career at Cage Warriors 207. Facing reigning champion Omiel Brown as a slight underdog, Davies needed just over a minute to secure a rear-naked choke and capture the lightweight title.
On the feet, Davies uses feints to set up front kicks and close distance, though his striking output remains measured. His real strength lies in his ability to make fights messy, get into clinch situations, and transition to his grappling, where he excels- particularly when attacking the back.
Now fully healthy and holding gold, Davies is finally showing his full potential. His skill set would translate immediately to the UFC lightweight division, and he has all the tools to become Wales’ next breakout star.
