Global Watchlist: The Best MMA Prospect From Each Country

Brazil

 

Brazil is loaded with talent, and with this choice, I could’ve gone five different ways. Among all the choices, Tiago Pereira (9-0) stands out to me at this point. He has impressive credentials as the Jungle Fights champion, having successfully defended his title three times. Pereira trains out of the renowned Team Nogueira gym, which does nothing but help him. Pereira has consistently faced strong competition, never taking on an opponent with a losing record. Inactivity has cost him notability, but with more action, he’ll become undeniable. The 28-year-old is a legit prospect as he’s a part of our top-25 rankings.

 

Canada

 

Adam Posener (6-0) is the next big prospect from Canada that’s in line for a big opportunity. 5-0 as an amateur and was a BFL welterweight champ. He took that momentum to the pros as he’s now 6-0 and BFL’s pro champion. His game is built around his grappling and strong wrestling. He’s only 21, so no rush, but he seems prime for a UFC push in the near future. The Canadian market is always important to the UFC, and 2026 should be big for a couple of guys.

 

Chile

 

Many may have expected to feature one of the Bahamondes brothers because of the name they have. Personally, I think they are too young and raw right now. A guy like Diego Manzur (12-1) has fought better competition and is more seasoned. Manzur is a former Open Fight champion and a double champ for Samurai Fight House. He’s a dangerous submission artist, boasting seven career wins via submission. His ability to dominate transitions and catch opponents off guard makes him a serious threat. I predict we see Manzur on a bigger stage in 2026.

 

China

 

With China, there are always gonna be developing fighters. Due to the size of the country and the PI there, the talent is always coming through. With this choice, I wanted to go to someone not in the RTU finals. This is where I took the most time to decide, but I went with Regezhen (10-1). A member of Enbo Fight Club, the 24-year-old is a winner of his last three. Regezhen is a good boxer with a mix of power and shot-placement. His TDD has gotten a lot better, and his ground game is underrated. From all the options, I believe Regezhen has the higher ceiling.