In honor of UFC Paris, we’re dropping the spotlight on some of the best young talent coming out of France. Despite such a deep pool of athletes, these five fighters have stood out as the most impressive talents in the country.
1. Aboubakar Younousov, 26, 8-0-0, Bantamweight
Currently ranked #3 on our “Top 25 Prospects Worldwide,” Aboubakar “Thorin” Younousov is a no-brainer for this list. Younousov is a grappler first who’s always bringing the fight to his opponent, consistently pressuring from the opening bell. His trips and level changes are a treat to watch, and once the fight hits the mats, Younousov’s ground-and-pound is brutal. He’s yet to see the cage in 2026, but he’s been nothing short of dominant throughout his career. It really is only a matter of time before “Thorin” is in the UFC.
2. Virgil Augen, 29, 9-0-0, Middleweight
If not the best middleweight prospect in the world, Virgil Augen is certainly up there with the elites at 185 pounds. He’s got an incredible frame that’s wide and powerful, often giving himself a major advantage when changing levels. Augen loves a good slam takedown, though once he’s on top, he’s technical about his approach, patiently waiting for the opportunity to attack the finish. Striking isn’t the Frenchman’s strong suit, but Virgil Augen has gotten better with every fight, notably using the clinch to rip off mean uppercuts and knees. With the lack of depth and young talent in the 185-pound division, it’s pretty crazy Augen hasn’t made the UFC yet. That needs to change by the end of the year.
3. Jordan Zébo, 25, 11-1-0, Welterweight
Jordan Zébo has been one of the most polarizing welterweights on the regional scene. He’s an excellent all-around fighter who can finish the fight from anywhere. It’s Zébo’s kickboxing, though, that really sets him apart from the rest. His dexterity and athleticism allow him to pull off improbable kicks both in the pocket and from range, making for a difficult striking assignment for any fighter at 170 pounds. Zébo is also very aggressive once he smells blood in the water. He rains down powerful, intentional strikes to score the ground-and-pound finish or soften his opponent up for a submission attempt. If Jordan Zébo can defend his belt once again, he’ll be in the UFC sooner rather than later. He’s been on a roll, and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon.
4. Baysangur Chamsoudinov, 25, 9-1-0, Welterweight
Otherwise known as “Baki,” Baysangur Chamsoudinov has been all the rage throughout his professional career. He’s an extremely physical and imposing fighter, always looking to make life as difficult as possible for his opponent inside the cage. Chamsoudinov never lets his opponents off the hook in the opening minutes. He truly is on the gas like an apex predator hunting down its prey. The athleticism gap between him and the average fighter is mind-boggling. The speed at which he can change levels is so twitchy, almost like his body is reacting without him even thinking. His hands possess big power, too. He’s scored five of his nine wins by KO/TKO and mixes his targets up very well, specifically using an accurate hook to the body to touch his opponent up. He’ll be back in the cage soon against Jordan Zébo, which is definitely a fight to look out for.
5. Ilian Bouafia, 29, 8-1-0, Middleweight
While somewhat disappointing in his chance on Dana White’s Contender Series, Ilian Bouafia still has plenty of talent to become a force in the middleweight division. At 6-foot-5, Bouafia has a prototype build, bigger than the likes of Israel Adesanya and matching the tallest middleweight in the UFC, Nursulton Ruziboev. The Frenchman is a gifted striker with knockout power in both hands, notably using his straight punches down the middle to do the bulk of the damage. His athleticism is next level, allowing him to shuck off his opposition’s takedown attempts, and he’s been improving on the ground offensively as well. Right now, Bouafia is nursing an unfortunate injury after a freak accident, though once he’s back to full health, expect Ilian Bouafia to get right back on track.
