July might’ve been the best month of the year when it comes to prospects. There were so many loaded events across the regional scene that it was absolutely brutal to leave some names off this list. Though without further ado, here are five UFC-ready prospects from July:
Asaf Chopurov, 24, 11-0-0, Bantamweight
If we’re being honest, the UFC’s negligence is starting to get ridiculous at this point. What else must Asaf Chopurov do to earn an opportunity?
Every time the 24-year-old steps into the octagon, he reassures the matchmakers that he’ll compete at the highest level. Now coming off another finish at UAE Warriors 72, Chopurov has both proven he deserves to challenge the world’s elite and solidified his spot as the #1 prospect in our “Top 25 Prospects Worldwide” rankings.
In his most recent performance, “Honey Badger” was able to showcase his striking and power against Reece McLaren. Though it’s clear Chopurov’s money is made on the mats.
His top pressure is relentless, constantly flowing to dominant positions to score on the ground. His tools are elite once he finds an opening. Chopurov supplements his strength with punishing ground-and-pound and an elite rear-naked choke.
This evaluation could go on and on, but these articles mentioning Chopurov have begun to feel like broken records- at what point can you consider the UFC’s lack of action to be malpractice? Asaf Chopurov just blew past the most credible opponent of his professional career in Reece McLaren, he’s finished ten of his eleven opponents, captured the UAE Warriors bantamweight title back in October 2025, and went 35-1 as an amateur. What else is there to do?
Pavel Andrusca, 24, 8-0-0, Bantamweight
Nobody wants to fight Pavel Andrusca, and his knockout at UAE Warriors 72 is the perfect example why. Facing quality opposition in Gexi Pengchu, there was at least some expectation that Andrusca would face resistance… but that couldn’t have been more wrong.
Currently ranked 7th in our “Top 25 Prospects Worldwide” rankings, it cannot be overstated how much of a difference-maker Pavel Andrusca is. When Andrusca lands cleanly, it genuinely feels like the 24-year-old is hitting his opponent with a block of cement. Pavel Andrusca puts his opponents out cold, and Gexi Pengchu was just the latest victim of the Moldovan’s elite offensive repertoire.
Despite relying on one-punch power against Pengchu, Andrusca is a wrestler first, possessing countless credentials on the ground. He sets up his takedowns with ease, determined to bring his opponents to the mat whenever he changes levels. Once in a dominant position, you won’t see many submission attempts. Instead, Andrusca smothers his opponents, raining down relentless ground-and-pound from top position.
If it was difficult to find someone for Pavel Andrusca to fight before his most recent bout, you can only imagine how difficult it’ll be now. The UFC has been hesitant to bring in bantamweights given this year’s edition of “The Ultimate Fighter,” though talent should trump roster needs for both Andrusca and Chopurov.
Jay Alderete, 19, 6-0-0, Bantamweight
This one comes with some controversy, but Jay “Crack” Alderete cannot be ignored right now. The 6-0-0 bantamweight is just 19 years old and is already making waves across social media. Whether positive or negative, people are talking about Jay Alderete, and the up-and-coming fighter isn’t looking back.
Donning a street fighter style, Alderete always comes to the cage to put on a show for his fans. He’s a crowd pleaser- showboating, talking trash, disrespecting his opponent, and always ready to bang in the center of the cage. On that same token, though, comes immaturity from the 19-year-old. Things got out of control against Cameron Smotherman, and his extracurricular activity during and after the fight certainly wasn’t the image of sportsmanship… but it’s also fair to think the UFC has some interest because of his “loose cannon” persona. Every division could use a “bad guy” – could Jay Alderete be the UFC’s next candidate?
All of that aside and now focusing on pure talent, Alderete does have an impressive skillset for such a young prospect. He uses a good volume of feints while hunting down his opposition, oftentimes working in quick boxing combinations inside the pocket. Alderete is a difficult fighter to trade with, possessing surprising power in his hands and continuing to throw even when hurt.
Jay Alderete checks every box for the UFC. He’s young, he finishes fights, and he has a fiery personality. Not to mention, his brabo choke over Cameron Smotherman is up there with the most impressive finishes of the year. It would be a surprise if Dana White and the brass don’t reach out to Alderete for a late notice Contender Series opportunity – he fits the bill perfectly.
Shamil Shikshabekov, 28, Welterweight, 8-0-0
There was no bigger winner this month than Shamil Shikshabekov- the 28-year-old got the opportunity to put on his best performance to date in front of UFC President Dana White. Now 8-0-0, the AKA product is on the verge of earning a chance with the biggest promotion in the world.
Shikshabekov made his mixed martial arts debut in 2016 but has dealt with stretches of inactivity throughout his career, making just ten appearances over the past decade. He had also fallen into somewhat of a decision trend entering 2026, with each of his previous three fights going to the judges’ scorecards. Any concerns about his finishing ability, however, were quickly erased when he stopped Argemiro Delmandes with a second-round TKO at Tuff-N-Uff 155.
The undefeated welterweight pushes a relentless pace, constantly forcing his opponents backward and pinning them against the fence. Shikshabekov’s wrestling is the foundation of his offense, as the Russian-American is always looking to drag the fight to the mat. He chains his takedown attempts together exceptionally well, refusing to abandon the effort despite his opponents’ resistance.
When in control, Shikshabekov consistently stays active enough to keep the referee from intervening. He’s an unconventional grappler at times, mixing in calf stomps and heavy knees along the cage to create openings and wear his opponents down. His striking has also continued to improve with every outing, something made evident by the power in his left hand against Argemiro Delmandes. When Shikshabekov puts every aspect of his game together the way he has in recent performances, he’s an incredibly difficult matchup for anyone.
If Dana White liked what he saw during International Fight Week, Shamil Shikshabekov should be firmly on the UFC’s radar. With only a handful of spots remaining on this season of Dana White’s Contender Series, he has made a compelling case as a prospect worth remembering.
Juan Pablo Vieira, 22, Lightweight, 10-0-0
You truly couldn’t ask for a better closer to an electric month of combat sports, as “Problema” scored a highlight-reel submission over Eduardo Terêncio on July 31. With Juan Pablo Vieira showing out once again for a packed crowd at LFA 238, he’s approaching Top 25 prospect status as one of the best young lightweights in the world.
While the 22-year-old Brazilian just made his first LFA appearance of 2026, we briefly saw “Problema” in June competing in a modified boxing match with MMA gloves via Palmas Fight Championship. A quick night for the prospect, as he finished his opponent within the opening minute, though the main focus remains on Vieira’s performances inside the mixed martial arts cage.
Vieira is both a threat on the feet and on the ground, but his jiu-jitsu has really stood out as of late. Standing 5-foot-11, Vieira’s dexterity tends to come in handy often, allowing him to transition on the ground in an unorthodox manner. He’s quickly establishing himself as one of the better finishing artists on the regional scene, notorious for never seeing the third round of a fight.
He’s willing to take risks and chase the finish. You’ll almost never see Juan Pablo Vieira in a boring fight. He consistently uses his explosiveness and kicking arsenal to create big moments, flashing his athleticism with at least one high kick or knee early in fights. Vieira can also be expected to throw a stabbing kick down the middle, often testing his opponents’ defense.
If Juan Pablo Vieira can leave his health concerns at the door, there’s no doubt the Brazilian will become a fan favorite under the UFC’s banner. The sky is the limit for “Problema,” and at just 22 years old he’ll quickly become a hot commodity for the biggest promotion in America.
