In honor of a quality fight night in Oklahoma City, it feels like the perfect opportunity to take a look at the best young talent coming out of the home continent of Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman. Without further ado, here is a list of the Top 5 Best Prospects from Africa:
Ken Sekeletu, 24, 8-1-0, Featherweight, Zambia
A former IMMAF competitor back in 2022, Ken “The Takeover” Sekeletu has garnered a solid amount of buzz early in his professional career. Now up to 8-1-0, the Zambia native has impressed across multiple promotions since leaving the South African regional scene.
After suffering his first professional loss to Billy Oosthuizen at EFC 128, Sekeletu has bounced back well in his last two appearances. “The Takeover” has collected back-to-back victories, including a title win over Lucas Codutti for the Fight 2 One featherweight championship.
On the feet, Sekeletu is a treat to watch- the 24-year-old has six knockouts in eight wins. He packs real power, notably excelling at countering opponents in the pocket. Sekeletu often takes a measured approach offensively, patiently using his array of kicks to work the lead leg and body before landing the finishing blow. His ground game is solid as well- holding top position with strength while unloading heavy ground-and-pound.
“The Takeover” has stayed active and returned to his winning ways in 2026. There’s currently no word on where he’ll fight next, but the 24-year-old is clearly inching closer to a shot with a major promotion.
Ananias Mulumba, 27, 10-3-0, Featherweight, Democratic Republic of Congo
If you’re a fan of the Contender Series and don’t remember Ananias “Metal” Mulumba, go back and watch his fight with Marwan Rahiki from last season. Despite the loss, the fight was pure chaos- nonstop action between two fighters willing to leave it all in the cage.
You could’ve made the case to sign Mulumba anyway, but regardless, here we are. Since then, “Metal” returned to UAE Warriors for his second appearance with the promotion, picking up a first-round knockout over veteran Ahmed Faress (23-9-0).
Mulumba is an all-action fighter, with every win coming by finish- five by KO/TKO and five by submission. He compensates for a smaller frame with sharp angles and heavy hands, consistently finding ways to hurt opponents. His low center of gravity also plays well in grappling exchanges, allowing him to work inside and change levels effectively. Once on the ground, Mulumba is constantly hunting the finish. He takes risks, which can leave him vulnerable at times, but if “Metal” gets to the back, it’s usually a wrap with a rear-naked choke.
Now confirmed for Week 1 of DWCS against Tom Pagliarulo, Mulumba gets another shot in front of the UFC brass. If it’s anything like his first appearance, he’ll set the tone for the entire season.
Antero dos Santos, 28, 7-0-0, Bantamweight, Angola
Hailing from Angola, Antero “Machine” dos Santos is one of the first premier prospects following in the footsteps of UFC star Manel Kape. Just seven fights into his career, dos Santos has already earned respect from decision-makers across the global MMA scene.
Last summer, dos Santos was scheduled for the inaugural PFL Africa card before withdrawing for undisclosed reasons. Since then, he’s returned to the regional circuit, maintaining his undefeated record, most recently earning a unanimous decision victory at Ares FC 42.
The 28-year-old brings a fan-friendly style, pushing a high output that can overwhelm opponents. He thrives in explosive moments, using athleticism to make up for some technical gaps. His gas tank holds up well, allowing him to mix in level changes and maintain pressure over three rounds.
If dos Santos picks up another win in the back half of 2026, there will be little doubt he’s ready for the next step. “Machine” is one to watch as his stock continues to rise.
Ayissi Bessala, 25, 3-0-0, Middleweight, Cameroon
At just 25 years old, Ayissi Bessala might be the most intriguing name on this list. The Cameroon native has burst onto the scene, quickly demanding attention on a global scale.
Bessala debuted less than 200 days ago, opening his career with a first-round knockout of former GAMMA competitor Ulugbek Rakhomonov. In May, he continued his domination with his third straight finish at UAE Warriors 71, stopping Siykau Dumiso with a clean left hook to the liver.
Bessala operates behind quick hands and a composed, upright stance that allows him to manage pressure well. He uses a stiff jab to control range, but he’s at his best when letting his power go. The Cameroonian’s left hand already looks like a serious weapon, starching multiple opponents early in his career.
Through just three fights, Bessala has already flashed real potential. His last scheduled bout was cancelled, but he’s a name worth circling as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the sport.
Adama Diop, 29, 6-1-0, Heavyweight, Senegal
After capturing both the Hexagone and EFC Heavyweight titles in 2026, Adama “Blindé” Diop has already earned a spot on this season of Dana White’s Contender Series.
The 29-year-old holds a 6-1-0 record, with five wins coming by KO/TKO. Diop stands out for his movement- light on his feet for a heavyweight, staying mobile rather than plodding forward. Despite a past loss by finish, he shows solid head movement in the pocket, making opponents pay when they overextend.
His most dangerous weapon, though, is his ground-and-pound. Once he hurts an opponent, Diop unloads with hammer fists and a crushing right hand. When “Blindé” smells blood, he closes the show quickly.
With a DWCS appearance on deck, Diop has a real chance to announce himself as a problem in a fast-moving heavyweight division.
