Every fighter starts somewhere. Before the hype, before the Contender Series, before the UFC call — there’s the grind. Before They Blow Up is where @mmawizzard shines a light on prospects still in that phase. This time, the spotlight shifts, and I’ll be the one doing it — Cangrejo Ruiz.
In this fourth edition, I’m looking at a few rising talents with five fights or fewer that are on my radar. These aren’t fighters I expect to be making any waves anytime soon. These are fighters I have watched, and I think have a good future in this sport
Middleweight, Douglas da Lapa (5-0)
With two good KO wins in 2025, Brazilian Douglas da Lapa is quickly rising in the prospect rankings. He’s displaying impressive athleticism and remarkable finishing instincts. Currently sitting at 5-0, he should be one to watch in the LFA cage this year.
In his most recent LFA outing, Da Lapa showcased his athletic 6’3″ frame, using it to overwhelm the shorter Jonathan Elias physically. That bout took place at middleweight, and while he still looked strong, Da Lapa truly reached an elite level of athleticism at welterweight. It’s the division where he had competed in all of his previous fights, and it’s one I hope he continues to call home.
Da Lapa’s striking game focuses on pressure, as he likes to corner his opponents against the cage, where he can unleash combinations. He’s quite methodical while doing so, knowing when to go for the kill and where to attack his opponent to cause the most damage. If he develops distance management and solid sootwork, he becomes an absolute threat.
While his ground game isn’t as polished, Da Lapa has shown he possesses the tools to bring the fight to the mat. Against former boxing Olympian Michel Borges, he secured takedowns and finished the fight via ground-and-pound. The biggest question mark at this stage is his defensive grappling, which should be a long-term focus. Those issues surfaced more noticeably in his middleweight outing and would likely be less pronounced if he remains at welterweight.
Both his cardio and fight IQ are solid, and once Da Lapa addresses his key defensive gaps, he should emerge as one of the top prospects to watch—especially if he remains at welterweight.
Welterweight, Rayane Moulay (3-0)
If asked to name the best prospects most fans haven’t heard of, Rayane Moulay would be one of my first answers. The Algerian teenager has quietly been building a reputation on the Russian scene, where he’s shown significant promise.
First thing you’ll notice watching Moulay is that he has a developed frame for his age. Most teenagers have not fully grown into their bodies when they turn pro, but Moulay already has the size to compete at welterweight at any level of competition.
While striking isn’t his primary path to victory, Moulay has shown it to be quite serviceable so far. He generally prefers to dictate the action, but he’s comfortable fighting off the back foot and will shift into a countering approach when needed. He also carries some deceptive power that can catch opponents off guard.
Moulay is defensively sound and light on his feet, often opting for a measured approach before taking the fight to the ground. While his takedowns still need refinement—relying more on physicality than technique—he is highly effective once the fight hits the mat. Moulay consistently looks to advance position and has finished all of his professional bouts from his opponents’ backs.
While there are questions that need to be answered, I personally see a lot of potential in this kid, and I expect him to get a lot more notice in the next two years.
Lightweight, David Macias (4-0)
Someone who feels like he’s currently flying under the radar in the American David Macias. The fighter from Tampa has quietly amassed a 4-0 record, putting in some really solid performances. Being unbeaten both as a pro and as an ammy, 28-year-old Macias has shown solid fundamentals.
Macias fully relies on his movement while striking. Mixing polished footwork with heavy feinting, which tends to keep his opponent guessing. While this may be risky, leaving himself open also creates openings for more damaging moves or level changes. This has resulted in Macias getting rocked in the past, which may result in future chin issues.
While Macias’ takedowns aren’t the most technical, his craftiness in creating openings allows him to secure advantageous positions that lead to easier entries. Once the fight hits the mat, his grappling truly shines, with quick transitions that consistently put him into finishing positions. Every one of his professional finishes has come on the ground, underscoring his ability to close the show once the fight gets there.
One noteworthy aspect of Macias’ development is that we’ve already seen him face adversity, which speaks to his fighting spirit. He has shown a willingness to keep working even from disadvantageous positions. While he still needs a few signature wins over the next 24 months, I expect Macias to surprise people with his future performances and eventually establish himself as a legitimate signing candidate for a larger organization.