Top 10 MMA Prospects in Australia & New Zealand

#3 Kasib Murdoch (7-0)

Bantamweight

24 Years Old – Freestyle MMA

 

Kasib Murdoch has all the hallmarks of a modern, high-ceiling prospect and continues to justify the growing attention surrounding his rise. Training out of Freestyle MMA under Joe Lopez, Murdoch remains undefeated across both his amateur and professional career, with all but one of his professional victories coming by way of finish. That finishing rate is not the product of reckless aggression, but rather a reflection of a fighter who consistently creates advantages and capitalises decisively when opponents begin to fade.

 

Before turning pro, Murdoch built one of the strongest amateur resumes in the region. He closed out a perfect 10-0 amateur career highlighted by winning both the IMMAF Oceania and World Championship in 2022 – a rare double that underlined his ability to perform against elite international opposition. Those titles were complemented by multiple amateur boxing accolades, giving him a technical striking foundation that continues to show as the competition level rises.

 

Since making his professional debut in May 2024, Murdoch has been both active and dominant. Over a relatively short period, he has compiled a resume that includes five knockouts, a submission, and, recently, a gritty decision win over the talented Kris Ustijanovski, all while capturing and then defending the HEX Bantamweight title multiple times. That ability to win in multiple ways speaks to his adaptability and growing fight IQ, which is particularly impressive given his age and the pressure that comes with the big spots he’s been in.

 

Stylistically, Murdoch is a difficult problem to solve. On the feet, he is a rangy and dynamic striker who uses long jabs, teeps, and intercepting knees to manage distance and frustrate opponents looking to close the gap. He is comfortable fighting at range but remains dangerous in transitional moments, often throwing flying knees or sharp elbows when pressured in the pocket. While his striking draws the eye, his grappling is arguably his most reliable weapon. Murdoch shows strong positional awareness, heavy ground-and-pound, and a well-developed submission game, allowing him to control fights when they hit the mat rather than simply surviving there.

 

Perhaps most importantly, Murdoch fights with a level of composure that belies his years. At just 24, he already looks physically mature, technically sound, and mentally comfortable working through whatever pace the fight presents. There is refinement ahead, particularly in managing risk during creative exchanges, but the underlying tools are firmly in place, and his last fight with Ustijanovski will, in my opinion, act as a catalyst for the beginnings of a sharp growth curve.

 

Given his trajectory, environment, and rate of development, it feels less like a question of if Kasib Murdoch reaches the UFC, and more a matter of when.