Undefeated Update: October 2025

Author: James Colwell (@JamesLikesMMA on Twitter)

Another month gone, and 48 more Undefeated Update reports are ready, including some of my favorite prospects. We’re going to cover a lot of ground this month. From elites competing at the top levels of the UFC and PFL to prospects grinding in the depths of Russia and Brazil, my goal is to bring you every unbeaten fighter you could want.

Bantamweight is probably my favorite division to watch, and it was a busy month with twelve undefeated fighters holding their spots in the rankings. We even have talent from rarely-featured countries like Nicaragua and Latvia. Buckle up — it’s a full world tour.

For new undefeated prospects and those removed from the rankings this month, check out my Ins and Outs October edition with promising heavyweights, Russian killers, and a whole lot more. If you’re new to this series, here’s an introduction to the rankings and my grading system, and check out my previous Ins and Outs or Undefeated Updates if you need more undefeated prospect action. In other exciting news, we’ve got a new website, MMA Prospect Vault, and going forward, all my columns will be here, along with great content from my colleagues.

Top Risers:

1. Pouya Rahmani: 5-0, +45 from 25/100 to 70/100
2. Mario Pinto: 11-0, +25 from 40/100 to 65/100
3. Aboubakar Younousov: 8-0, +15 from 15/100 to 30/100
4. Magomed Zaynukov: 8-0, +15 from 10/100 to 25/100
5. Isaac Moreno: 8-0, +11.5 from 8.5/100 to 20/100
6. Farid Basharat: 14-0, +10 from 70/100 to 80/100
7. Archie Colgan: 13-0, +10 from 55/100 to 65/100
8. Michael Oliveira: 9-0, +9 from 6/100 to 15/100

A long list of big grade increases this month shows how many elite fighters protected their perfect records. Most already compete in the UFC or PFL, but Zaynukov and Oliveira earned their big-show opportunities with DWCS wins. Younousov and Moreno are even more exciting — they’re elite talents who handled strong regional tests and are simply waiting for their chance to prove themselves at the next level.

Heavyweights:

Pouya Rahmani: 5-0
Grade: 70 (+45)

If you only follow MMA in the USA, then odds are you’ve never heard of Rahmani. I and others have been incredibly excited since he made the switch to MMA in 2023. He’s a hulking 250+ pounder forged in the talented and brutal world of Iranian wrestling, though he now reps and lives in the UAE.

His first four fights came for ACA, with two under the Young Eagles banner. It was against unfortunate opponents, then rapid steps up the ladder against Yuriy Fedorov (10-5, 2/100) and former ACA champion Salimgerey Rasulov (23-10, 20/100).

The longest of those fights was three minutes as he bulldozed his opposition with three chokes, including two arm-triangles and a barrage of GnP in his debut. The win over Rasulov was particularly eye-opening. As Rasulov is on the decline, he’s still a massively strong human who also has a wrestling background. Yet, Pouya tossed him around easily. A low double-leg into dominant top control that showed off his incredible strength while riding and a nasty squeeze.

He needed to take more than a year off to run out his contract before making his PFL debut against the man who was my #1 undefeated heavyweight in the world coming into this month, Slim Trabelsi (8-0, 45/100).

Trabelsi is also a wrestler, and while his credentials aren’t as impressive as Rahmani’s, he’s shown far more refined striking and the ability to go the distance in MMA. That well-roundedness has boosted his rating substantially.

Trabelsi spent several minutes frustrating Pouya by circling the cage and picking away with jabs. He then made a critical mistake by retreating in a straight line, leaving himself open to a stunning, explosive combo of jabs and straights. He never recovered his equilibrium while trying to find space, so Rahmani caught him with a right hook and then crushed him with GnP to finish the R1 TKO win.

Mario Pinto: 11-0
Grade: 65 (+25)

Elite undefeated heavyweights were active in October, and Pinto made a strong case as one of the best, though he still falls just short of Rahmani in my assessment. Recognized as the top UFC prospect in his weight class, Pinto showcased exciting new elements of his game while defeating Jhonata Diniz (9-1, 40/100).

Facing a skilled kickboxer, Pinto demonstrated adaptability, incorporating wrestling into a gameplan previously defined by striking. His double-leg takedown in Round 1 was perfectly timed, and while the single-leg in Round 2 was less successful, a throw off the fence allowed him to secure top position. Once on top, Pinto dominated with seamless guard passes, heavy ground-and-pound—including vicious elbows from crucifix and half guard—and flashes of BJJ, nearly submitting Diniz with an americana in Round 1.

Pinto advanced positions while minimizing risk and conserving energy, avoiding reckless striking that could lead to fatigue. Though he couldn’t sustain mounts early, his opponent ran out of gas by Round 2, allowing Pinto to finish with a decisive flurry of punches. This was his first fight against an internationally graded opponent, boosting his stock considerably and placing him just outside my personal UFC top 10 rankings.

Seyedmostafa Salehizadeh: 5-0
Grade: 3.5 (+3)

Seyedmostafa Salehizadeh joined the rankings last month following a title win in Canada, so it was surprising to see him resurface so quickly in South Korea. He faced his toughest opponent yet in a rare matchup of graded Iranian fighters against Masoud Safari (9-2-1, 2/100), a dangerous striker.

Salehizadeh employed a calculated, low-risk approach, closing the distance early each round to smother his opponent along the unusual cage/rope setup of the event. His body locks enabled powerful throws, and his grip was rarely broken. With four-minute rounds, he had ample energy to maintain this controlling style throughout the fight. While the bout lacked excitement, the strategy was highly effective.

Dominating a fighter like Safari demonstrates that Salehizadeh has the tools to succeed against many other heavyweight strikers. If he continues fighting in Asia, promotions like ONE Championship or Rizin would be logical next steps, though this appearance may also have been a one-off trip.

Arturs Skabarnieks: 8-0
Grade: 0.5

Arturs Kabarnieks is one of just two undefeated Latvians in the rankings, though he has primarily built his record against low-level opponents. His first four professional fights were against debuting fighters, and he has also faced opponents with records of 0-5 and 3-13, with his “best” win coming against a 2-2 fighter.

After an active 2023–2024 with seven fights, Kabarnieks took a year off before facing Lasha Roinishvili (2-3), a short-notice replacement who had been KOed just two weeks prior and hadn’t fought in nearly a decade. Kabarnieks quickly secured a first-round KO, marking his fourth KO and fourth submission, all achieved in the opening round.

While it’s impressive to see Kabarnieks finish fights so quickly, the quality of his competition leaves questions about his ability to succeed at a higher level. A larger promotion like Brave might give him an opportunity due to his undefeated record, but he has yet to demonstrate that he can compete with top-tier heavyweights. Still, heavyweights capable of early finishes are always dangerous, and Kabarnieks could surprise if matched appropriately.

Light Heavyweights:

Azamat Murzakanov: 16-0
Grade: 90 (+5)

As my top-rated undefeated LHW in the world and a top-10 fighter in the UFC, Azamat needs no introduction. He’s unusually short and chunky for a weight class dominated by athletic freaks at the top level. At the start of his fight against Aleksandar Rakić (14-5, 80/100), it looked like the reach disadvantage might cost him, as he was getting absolutely blasted by kicks, especially to the body.

Murzakanov did well to balance through a couple of single-leg takedowns, then pummeled to escape from the fence or expertly rolled through to come out in top position. His usual overhand-heavy style wasn’t effective because he was too far out of range, but his bouncy footwork and surprising speed allowed him to land some sharp jabs. One of those jabs turned over slightly and landed directly on the chin as both fighters clashed in the center, putting Rakić down hard for a KO. Azamat is likely looking at a top-5 opponent for his next fight,and in my opinion, he has run out of winnable matchups in that range. But he’s surprised me before, so it’s hard to count him out.

Luke Fernandez: 6-0
Grade: 15 (+5.5)

Fernandez has been a hyped LHW prospect dating back to his 6-0 amateur career, during which he defended the CFFC amateur title twice. He then won their pro belt in just his third fight and defended it twice against 8-5 and 7-3 opponents, though he’s still never faced anyone graded.

He’s a powerhouse who puts people to sleep with clubbing punches but can also wrestle at a high level and has good cardio for the weight class. While not a submission specialist, I haven’t seen any major weaknesses in his BJJ either.

His DWCS call-up was just a matter of him getting enough wins on the resume, and his matchup against Rafael Pergentino (5-0) showed that the UFC clearly wanted him. While their records were the same, his opponent is less athletic and had only fought in obscure Brazilian promotions. The mismatch was immediately clear when the first jab-overhand combo that Luke threw put his opponent down, and from there some heavy GnP finished things in just 15 seconds.

I think Fernandez has the ability to beat plenty of guys I grade higher than him, but I’m cautious until I see him fight anyone else in my rankings.

Levi Rodrigues: 6-0
Grade: 5 (+1.5)

Just last month, I suggested Levi Rodrigues could appear on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2026 if he stayed active—but he surprised everyone by earning a short-notice UFC call-up this year. Rodrigues faced Freddy Vidal (4-0), who I had opted not to rank after his upset win earlier in the year. My decision was validated, as Vidal primarily wrestled against the cage without much impact.

Rodrigues still doesn’t look fully ready for the UFC, with wild punches and slow reactions to takedown entries. However, he effectively controlled his opponent’s wrists to prevent grips at the fence and used solid frames combined with raw power to create space for damaging strikes. Even with his back against the fence, Rodrigues kept scoring and eventually positioned Vidal’s head for two clean left knees, leading to a knockdown. He finished the fight with hammerfists, securing a KO and earning his UFC contract.

While Rodrigues’ power is his standout asset, he has yet to face a graded opponent. UFC matchmakers will need to build him carefully to develop him into a true prospect, but his striking upside makes him a fighter to watch.

Samuel Chavarría: 7-0
Grade: 1.5

Chavarría fought just six weeks ago and I predicted that he’d be back at his natural welterweight for his next fight. Little did I know that he’d be called across the world to Oktagon, where he was originally scheduled as a likely sacrificial lamb for Frederic Vosgröne. However, a last-second pull out meant that he instead moved up even more to 210 pounds against Aleksandar Stefanovic (5-7) and got an easy R1 TKO when his opponent suffered an injury. Beating a can isn’t going to move your grade up, but maybe now that he’s broken through with a major promotion they’ll try to keep developing Samuel as a prospect at a lower weight class.

Middleweights:

Anvarbek Daniyalbekov: 11-0
Grade: 10

Anvarbek Daniyalbekov completed his return to his natural weight class, fighting at 185 pounds for the first time in several years. This month, he received a favorable matchup against Christiano Frohlich (11-6), who was willing to trade strikes but lacked the skill to keep pace with Daniyalbekov.

Taking advantage of the space, Daniyalbekov showcased superior movement and his high-level kicking game. In Round 2, he increased the pressure and secured a knockout with a flurry of punches. While the performance was impressive, his grade remains unchanged due to his already high rating and the opponent being below his level.

Luis Hernandez: 7-0
Grade: 2.5

One of our team’s first pieces was a breakdown of Hernandez after he scored the biggest win of his career with a R2 guillotine of Miles Hunsinger (7-1, 0.5/100), then got attacked in the cage by Sean Strickland. I agreed with the assessment that while he has some fun offensive ability, he lacks the seasoning that comes from proper regional tests, as the rest of his opponents have been poor.

That trend continued with this month’s matchup against Paulo Machado (11-20), and it’s quite concerning that it took Luis until R3 to get a KO against such a blatant can. He’s a natural welterweight fighting up to avoid cutting weight, but his opponent is even more undersized, so that’s not even an excuse for this performance.

His grade doesn’t go up at all, and I’d like to see him return to Tuff-N-Uff to get some less lopsided matchmaking.

Giorgi Kartvelishvili: 7-0
Grade: 0.5

I called Kartvelishvili a can-crusher when he entered the rankings last month and beating Maxim Soroka (22-45-1) isn’t going to do anything to change that assessment. He gets his second KO and pads the record a bit more but there’s no other benefit to fights like this

Welterweights:

Isaac Moreno: 8-0
Grade: 20 (+11.5)

Isaac Moreno overcame a lackluster return to action in July, showing that it was likely just cage rust. In his most recent fight, he faced UFC veteran Darian Weeks (9-4, 4/100), arguably his toughest opponent to date, and delivered possibly his best performance yet.

Moreno’s lateral footwork, effective feints, and excellent sense of range and cage positioning allowed him to circle and land kicks to the lead calf and oblique while minimizing damage. In close exchanges, Moreno consistently scored with jabs and straight lefts, absorbing only a few hooks in return.

The methodical dominance culminated when Weeks charged into a lead right hook, sending him face-first to the canvas. Moreno capitalized with a few heavy shots to secure a TKO victory. This standout performance earns him a significant grade boost, and he appears poised for a UFC call—potentially by this time next year.

Michael Oliveira: 9-0
Grade: 15 (+9)

Oliveira has been a favorite of prospect hunters and one of the best home-grown products of LFA’s Brazilian cards ever since he made his debut for them in 2023 at just 2-0. He’s a ridiculous physical specimen whose “PQD” nickname references his time as a paratrooper, which speaks to his high levels of commitment, bravery, and mental fortitude.

He tore through six less-experienced opponents with devastating R1 KOs to start his career, but what was most impressive is that his striking technique was pretty clean even in situations where he could have just overwhelmed people with superior physicality. It took Michael until R3 to finish Dallys Gama (7-3), but the head kick he scored there was worth the wait, and along with going to a decision in his next fight against Aldo Pereira (11-7-2), showed that he has good enough cardio despite all the muscle he carries.

However, despite the hype and highlight reel, I didn’t have an international-level grade on him coming into DWCS because he’d never fought a graded opponent. That changed against Victor Valenzuela (12-3, 2.5/100), though it was still a stylistically favorable matchup against a shorter kickboxer. Oliveira established superiority at range early with heavy kicks and a beautiful jab that he seemed to land at will.

For how excellent and polished his offense is, his defense still needs work — he doesn’t move his head much and is very hittable. Valenzuela was able to hold his own in R1 because of this, not matching the volume but landing some solid hooks and overhands while weathering Oliveira’s higher-volume attack. By R2, though, PQD had gotten his reads on his opponent’s primary weapons and was able to evade and counter them effectively while continuing to land his jab to set up other strikes.

A right hook knockdown started a prolonged finishing sequence where he showed great patience to pick his shots while still landing effectively, and he made the right call to disengage from top position on the ground. The KO eventually came through a lead hook into a beautifully accurate straight right as his opponent fell, then a couple of big hammerfists sealed the deal.

Oliveira clearly belongs in the UFC and could be a major force with the right matchmaking. However, I still haven’t seen enough of his defensive wrestling against anyone good to be fully confident that he’ll be able to stay in space when many future opponents will be looking to smother him and deny him opportunities to score the KOs he’s known for.

Shamil Shikhshabekov: 7-0
Grade: 8 (+0.5)

Shikhshabekov is a very talented grappler held back by the fact that he’s only fought twice since 2021. The win that contributed most to his high grade came by decision against Matt Vaile (12-2, 4/100), though Vaile has turned out to not be as good as I’d thought at the time.

After another layoff, Shamil took his first fight in the USA this month with an immediate Tuff-N-Uff title shot. He took on Troy Green (8-4), who doesn’t have the prettiest record but is a very solid fighter, and was able to mostly neutralize him for 25 minutes while showing good stamina to maintain his style throughout the fight.

He only gets a small grade boost since this was a winnable matchup on paper, but he could be close to a UFC opportunity if he can get a finish early in 2026. He’s now representing the USA on Tapology, which makes it clear that the big show is the long-term goal — and a title for a Fight Pass promotion is a great way to work toward that.

Babuli Tsoloev: 8-0
Grade: 4.5 (+1.5)

Tsoloev is a short, heavily muscled wrestler who’s flown under the radar by spending his entire career with Fight Nights in Russia. His striking isn’t pretty, but he carries serious power in his overhand right and uses explosive blitzes to close distance — exactly where he wants to be to implement his wrestling-heavy gameplan. He can finish takedowns with either raw strength or clean technique, and once he’s on top, he’s tough to shake off.

His ground-and-pound is heavy and damaging, though he’s had to be more conservative against higher-level grapplers, resulting in his last three wins coming by decision — including this month’s victory over his best opponent to date, Yurik Smoyan (24-9). That brought the combined record of his opponents to 84-57-2, showing how many experienced gatekeepers he’s beaten despite not yet facing a graded opponent in my system.

Babuli proved this month that he can beat a strong wrestler at his own game in his first main event, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in title contention for his next fight.

Kevin Pease: 7-0
Grade: 4 (+2)

If this series were about entertainment value, Pease wouldn’t be ranked. But since it’s based on talent and results, he absolutely deserves his spot. At 5’8” with a thick, muscular frame, he’s built for wrestling — and his takedowns, ground-and-pound, and raw strength are his calling cards. He went 7-1 as an amateur against tough competition, with most of those bouts being title fights that went the distance.

As a pro, Pease started strong with four straight finishes (three by choke) before earning three hard-fought decision wins, including a gritty 29-28 over his best opponent to date, Nick Meck (7-1, 1/100). That grappling-heavy fight came under the PFL banner last August, and while Kevin did enough to get the win, he wasn’t invited back for another appearance.

He’s spent most of his career fighting for CFFC and returned there this month for a title shot against Ethan Pauley (7-1), a submission threat with a padded record. Pease dominated early in rounds with well-timed takedowns and smothering top control, landing steady ground-and-pound to maintain position but never coming particularly close to a finish. CFFC’s four-round title format isn’t ideal, but this was one of those fights where the shortened distance felt merciful — 20 minutes of control was more than enough to make the point.

If PFL passed on him before because of his grinding, attritional style, this performance won’t change their minds. Pease may need to defend his CFFC title at least once and find a finish before a major promotion gives him another look.

Adam Posener: 6-0
Grade: 4 (+2)

Our resident Canadian prospect guru Cedric wrote up Posener before his BFL title defense and called him the best prospect in Canada.

I’m not quite as high on Adam as he is, but it’s hard to deny how much potential he has — an 11-fight win streak at just 21 years old and a quick, dominant title defense on Fight Pass that ended in a face crank submission after only 84 seconds. His opponent, Allan Ruiz (9-5), stepped in on short notice and has always struggled on the ground, so the result wasn’t surprising, but it was a strong reminder of how legit Posener’s BJJ and wrestling already are.

His previous wins over Trukon Carson (4-0, 1/100) and Zackery Powell (9-2) weren’t as dominant and showed that his striking is still a work in progress, but they were solid tests against good regional competition. He’s also a bit undersized for 170 pounds, though a few more years of pro-level strength and conditioning should take care of that. Another win or two could easily land him a DWCS shot in 2026, but from what I’ve seen, he’s still a step away from being UFC-ready.

Shozo Isojima: 6-0
Grade: 2 (+1)

Isojima is a quality grappler who mostly won by decision while building his record against opponents with a solid 23-13-2 combined record. He only fought in a small Japanese promotion called Gladiator so he was off most people’s radar and there wasn’t much film out there of his early career.

Shozo moved up from 155 pounds for his ONE debut against Nicolas Vigna (7-2) in a fight that he dominated with his wrestling and overall better technique. He was able to inflict lots of damage from top positions and worked his way to mount in R2 for big shots on an exhausted opponent to earn the first TKO of his career.

This was a good win for Isojima but he’s already got his next fight booked against BJJ phenom Tye Ruotolo (1-0, 2/100). That’s a bad style matchup that I think will likely be his first loss.

Lightweights:

Usman Nurmagomedov: 20-0
Grade: 90

I have nothing to add about Usman or his rematch against Paul Hughes (14-2, 70/100) that hasn’t already been said by many other writers, but he continues to be my top-graded lightweight outside the UFC. This wasn’t a dominant win and though I scored it 48-47 in his favor (R1, R2, R4), there are perfectly valid arguments that he should have lost this fight. He’ll need to be more focused on consistent output and maintaining positions after he scores takedowns in his next fights to more clearly seal rounds, but that is nitpicking at an elite talent. He’s still somehow just 27 and there aren’t many fighters in PFL who I expect to challenge him as much as Hughes has.

Archie Colgan: 13-0
Grade: 65 (+10)

Magomed Zaynukov: 8-0
Grade: 25 (+15)

A Dagestani prospect with an elite Muay Thai background is always worth watching, and Zaynukov has been on my radar since early in his pro career. He started with five KOs in Russia before moving to UAE Warriors in 2024, where his wins shifted mostly to decisions. Even so, he looked better than ever against Wilian Poles (6-2-1) and especially in a striking masterclass over Shakhmar Sadygov (7-0-1, 4.5/100). His defensive grappling is solid, particularly escaping from the fence, and he even scored a couple of takedowns late in the Sadygov fight, showing he could beat his best opponent to date anywhere. That performance earned him an international grade and a DWCS call-up against Lucas Caldas (6-1, 2/100).

That DWCS bout has already been widely discussed — it closed an incredible week 9 and saw Zaynukov shatter lightweight volume records. What made it even more impressive is that his strikes weren’t just light scoring attempts; they were clearly intended to seriously damage his opponent’s head, body, and legs. This was a strong signal for his ceiling, addressing previous questions about his cardio and output against another skilled striker.

Magomed could have wrestled the entire fight and secured a decision, but he prefers to strike and delivered an incredibly entertaining performance. There was a touch of jeopardy when he was knocked down in R1, but the later rounds became a striking clinic. His ceiling is slightly limited by his age — he’s 30 — but he still has plenty of time to put on memorable shows in the UFC. The remaining question is how he’ll fare against a high-level pressure wrestler.

Alikhan Musaev: 10-0
Grade: 5.5 (+1)

Musaev was born and raised in the MMA hotbed of Chechnya but represents Turkey, which suggests he’s aiming to take his talents abroad — especially after his last fight in Serbia. Most of his bouts, however, have come in ACA Young Eagles, and he recently stepped up to ACA proper, returning to his natural weight class after a year at welterweight.

As a fighter, Musaev leans heavily on offense over defense. He’s willing to trust his chin and eat a few shots because he knows he can outland his opponents in chaotic exchanges. Early in his career, his wrestling wasn’t up to Chechen standards, which led to him being taken down more often than usual. Still, his timing and flexibility in scrambles are major assets, letting him recover advantageous positions and transition into punishing ground-and-pound.

Alikhan is athletic and has shown clear improvement over the past couple of years, and at just 23, his potential is significant. This month’s matchup against Mikhail Egorov (8-4) was relatively straightforward, allowing Musaev to score a first-round KO and reach double-digit wins. ACA has a deep lightweight roster, so they can continue building him gradually, testing him against graded opponents to see just how far his talent can take him.

Rizwan Ali: 11-0
Grade: 3 (+1)

When I first introduced Ali, a return to Brave MMA seemed possible, but instead he signed with ACA, Russia’s top promotion. During ACA’s UAE event, they brought in regional prospects, including Rizwan Ali, who received a solid matchup against Rana Singh (12-2). Despite Singh’s record, he is much smaller and has mostly built his career submitting inexperienced opponents in India.

Ali was clearly several levels above his opponent, efficiently punching his way to a first-round finish, marking the fifth KO of his professional career. This performance earns him a grade boost, though the size disparity prevents a higher ranking at this stage.

If Ali continues competing in ACA, he will face a deep and talented lightweight division, which could provide his first significant challenge—and potentially his first career loss—relatively soon.

Khamid Azimov: 6-0
Grade: 1

Azimov has spent his entire career in his native Georgia, finishing every fight by first- or second-round submission. Standing 6’3”, he uses his height effectively to trap opponents in a vicious triangle and other dangerous chokes.

However, after debuting against a 5-0 opponent, Khamid hasn’t faced anyone better than 3-2 and most recently fought a 5-6 journeyman following a layoff of over a year. He secured a rear-naked choke in just 83 seconds, but there’s no grade increase for a free win like that. His inactivity is particularly concerning at 32, suggesting he may have already passed his window for top-level success.

There’s little tape on his striking, though he hasn’t needed it against his competition so far. He’s the type of fighter Brave or UAE Warriors could sign to fill a card, but I don’t see much upside beyond that.

Featherweights:

Marwan Rahiki: 7-0
Grade: 8 (+4)

Australia has sent a lot of talent to the UFC in 2025, and Rahiki is next in line after an incredible comeback win in the final week of DWCS. He’s always been a finisher, with his lone loss as a 5-1 amateur coming by decision, and he’s racked up several highlight-reel KOs on his way to two titles. His standout win came in a dominant performance over Gabriel Schlupp (6-1), ending in a second-round TKO.

That performance earned him a matchup against Ananias Mulumba (9-2), another explosive finisher. Rahiki’s offense is dynamic, featuring spinning attacks, creative kicks, and effective long-range boxing. At 23, though, his defense and deception are still developing, and that vulnerability showed early when he was knocked down by a massive overhand and nearly finished a second time in R1 due to insufficient head movement. Still, his toughness and scrambling while hurt were impressive, and his output on the feet — crisp 1-2s and a beautifully timed spinning elbow — kept him competitive.

By R2, Rahiki was clearly fresher, especially after threatening a choke to stifle his opponent’s early grappling. He displayed better patience, picking shots and accumulating damage until a counter knee set up a devastating combination of overhand elbows at the fence, finished with an uppercut KO that shut Mulumba out. It was the type of performance that demanded a UFC contract, though it also raises concerns that his defensive lapses could leave him vulnerable to a KO at the highest level.

Kozhakhmet Imangali: 8-0
Grade: 3 (+1.5)

Imangali Kozhakhmet is a well-rounded MMA prospect who uses his six-foot frame effectively, outscoring opponents at range or finishing them with knees, a tactic he has successfully executed three times so far. While his lanky build isn’t naturally suited for wrestling, his BJJ is solid, and he demonstrates strong fight IQ during scrambles.

Most of Kozhakhmet’s career has been with Octagon, where he faced opponents with a combined record of 20-16 prior to this month, including a notable decision win over Wellington Pereira (10-8) in June. He recently stepped up in competition against Claudeci Brito (14-5), a lethal finisher previously graded in my rankings. Kozhakhmet used his reach advantage effectively early in rounds but had to navigate grappling exchanges, including having his back taken in Round 1.

He consistently reversed positions, executing a back take in Round 2 and a clinch takedown in Round 3 to prevent his opponent from controlling the fight. His jiu-jitsu allowed him to maintain top control and threaten submissions, while his defensive instincts remained strong. Kozhakhmet earned the decision and is likely to earn a title shot within his next two fights, potentially paving the way for a move to a larger promotion such as ONE Championship or ACA. At 23, he still has room to grow, though he currently lacks the elite athleticism and explosiveness typical of a top-tier prospect.

Timur Kuanysh: 7-0-1
Grade: 2 (+1.5)

Kuanysh is a 22-year-old Kazakh grappler known for his strong wrestling and sneaky submissions, particularly off his back. Before this month, his entire professional career was with Octagon, where he faced a solid slate of regional opponents with a combined record of 23-10. Highlights include a notable first-round triangle choke victory over Sukhrob Mirzavaliev (5-1).

Kuanysh’s development was previously slowed by a draw against a 5-3 opponent and an amateur decision loss in March 2025, despite already having six professional fights. While Sherdog lists that bout as a pro fight, its three-minute rounds suggest it was likely amateur. Regardless, the setback didn’t define him.

He bounced back with his third submission win in his final Octagon fight and made an impressive Brave debut against Dimitri Bolkvadze (10-2), a dangerous finisher and his toughest opponent to date. Kuanysh won by decision, showcasing strong grappling while improving his striking. At just 22, there’s no rush, and Brave may have a promising long-term developmental prospect if they invest in him.

Pedro Doreto: 7-0
Grade: 1.5

Doreto is a finisher (4 submissions and 3 KOs) who has beaten some solid opponents in Brazil, with a combined record of 16-6, but he’s struggled to stay active. His first two wins came as a teenager before he disappeared for over five years. Since returning in 2021, he’s only fought once per year, though matchmakers clearly see potential in him—he competed for LFA last year and made his Jungle Fight debut this month.

Unfortunately, his original opponent pulled out, so Pedro faced Felipe Lidio (3-1) on short notice. Lidio wasn’t on his level and had been inactive for years. Even so, it took until the third round for Doreto to secure a triangle submission, so his grade doesn’t improve, as this should have been an easier win. At 27, he’s in his prime, so hopefully he can avoid further layoffs and step up in competition in 2026.

Ramazan Ragimov: 6-0
Grade: 1.5 (+0.5)

Ragimov joined the rankings in July after his dangerous finishing ability carried over into his UAE Warriors debut, but a step up against Marouane Bellagouit (7-2) revealed some areas for the young prospect to improve. He looked dangerous early, landing heavy shots in R1 and maintaining solid output into R2, but he gassed out too quickly and hadn’t managed his energy well earlier in the fight.

He’s so accustomed to finishing opponents quickly that when a tougher fighter like Bellagouit—who was once a prospect himself—survives, it exposes weaknesses in his approach. Ragimov did enough early damage to secure a split decision win and remains a young fighter with high potential, but it’s clear he’s far from a finished product.

Shamil Basaev: 6-0
Grade: 1.5 (+0.5)

Basaev is a 23-year-old Chechen who quickly progressed through the ACA Young Eagles system, compiling a 4-0 record before making his full ACA debut in July. That rapid rise suggests high expectations for his potential, as many prospects spend far longer building their resumes. So far, he’s shown he can dominate weaker competition, starting his career with three first-round finishes against low-level opponents.

He then earned decision wins over 4-0 and 4-1 prospects before returning to finishes with a step-down matchup against short-notice Wellington Pereira (10-9-1). Basaev secured a second-round KO, showcasing quality striking to complement his wrestling, but I can’t move him up much for a win over an inferior opponent. He was originally scheduled to face Hamid Amiri (10-0, 1.5/100), a fight that would have significantly boosted the winner in the prospect rankings. ACA would do well to rebook that matchup if possible.

Alain Majorique: 6-0
Grade: 1 (+0.5)

Bantamweights:

Farid Basharat: 14-0
Grade: 80 (+10)

Farid has proven to be the stronger of the Basharat brothers since joining the UFC in 2022, showcasing a versatile and technical approach that allows him to operate effectively wherever the fight goes. This was evident against Chris Gutierrez (22-5-2, 65/100), as the bout often unfolded in Gutierrez’s preferred low-volume style, with feints and ranged kicks, yet Basharat consistently scored more effectively in those exchanges.

He attacks every level with kicks from different angles, and his hands are fast enough to navigate around movement and feints. He also landed a couple of well-timed double-leg takedowns in R1 and R3, demonstrating strong top control and decent, if not devastating, GnP in R1. When he stayed on his feet in R2, he had his most significant moments, landing overhand rights that rocked Gutierrez, though he showed little urgency to secure a finish.

The third round raised some concerns, as he seemed unprepared for an early blitz from his opponent and took solid shots before being tripped to the ground while attempting a clinch. Basharat appeared tired throughout R3, despite the fight’s moderate pace, and struggled to establish control from his takedown, highlighting potential cardio concerns. Still, he managed to pull his opponent back into a point-fighting style that allowed him to secure a 29-28 decision win. Four of his five UFC victories have come by decision, which may limit hype, but Farid has proven he’s ready to challenge the top 15 in the division.

Asaf Chopurov: 9-0
Grade: 45 (+5)

Chopurov earned a chance to impress the UFC matchmakers with a UAE Warriors title shot against Demarte Pena (16-3, 3/100). His dominance was apparent, as he used wrestling to challenge the strongest aspect of his opponent’s skillset and still won nearly every positional battle.

Asaf worked effectively on the fence, anticipated many ground moves, and used them to advance position while landing some GnP in the process. However, nothing he landed was particularly heavy, and although he was faster and more accurate on the feet, he wasn’t close to finishing the fight there either.

Surprisingly, Pena quit the fight between rounds 3 and 4, despite not appearing gassed or particularly hurt. While this counts as a finish, it wasn’t the kind of performance that would force the UFC to sign Chopurov. It was technically impressive, and he remains my #1 prospect outside a major promotion, but he may need to defend his title next year and deliver a highlight-reel moment to catch wider attention.

Sanzhar Zakirov: 16-0
Grade: 45 (+5)

t’s hard to believe how good Zakirov’s record is for someone who debuted in 2021, and even more impressive that he’s still just 22 years old. He’s a dangerous kicker who isn’t afraid to take risks on the feet, trusting his chin and showing no concern about being taken down.

His best work comes through wrestling, using a variety of takedown entries with a preference for single-legs. Once Sanzhar is on the mat, he sets a high pace with aggressive guard passing, versatile GnP, and submission attempts without overcommitting. Some of his wins are obvious record-padding, like when he returned to Uzbekistan to submit two debuting opponents in one night after already securing impressive victories in ONE.

Overall, his level of competition has been excellent: Saimumin Madiev (5-0, 0.5/100) in his lone fight for Octagon; David Bangguigui (9-1, 2.5/100); Zayundin Suleymanov (6-0, 4.5/100); Ryosuke Honda (12-3-1, 1/100); Tatsumitsu Wada (26-12-2, 5/100); Bokang Masunyane (10-2, 20/100); and most recently Yong Hu (13-6, 3/100) during his rise through ONE. Masunyane was the only one with an international-level grade, and that win gave Zakirov a significant boost as he proved his grappling works against another specialist. Beating the other ranked fighters is also impressive, though the matchmaking has sometimes been unusual, giving him step-down fights despite continuous success.

That was the case against Hu this month. The fight was competitive when they exchanged kicks at range, but once Sanzhar started grappling, it became clear he had a serious advantage. His control positions improved each round, and by R3 he was glued to his opponent’s back while landing elbows and hunting RNCs. He couldn’t secure the finish, but it was a clear decision win, taking him to 7-0 with ONE. He’s ready for a title shot in 2026, and I hope to see him in the UFC at some point in the future.

Aboubakar Younousov: 8-0
Grade: 30 (+15)

Younousov is a world-class prospect, checking in at #22 in our collaborative top-25 prospect rankings on my personal list entering this month. Compact at 5’6”, he combines raw muscle and explosiveness with elite wrestling and cardio, making him both a highlight-reel knockout artist and a capable grinder. While he’ll capitalize on submission opportunities, his focus remains on controlling opponents and inflicting damage through ground-and-pound.

Aboubakar Younousov won the Ares title in just his fourth professional fight, though several bouts haven’t been for belts due to opponent weight issues. This made his matchup against Gustavo Lopez (16-8-1, 2.5/100) only his second official title defense. Lopez, a former UFC fighter on a three-fight win streak, still posed a quality gatekeeping challenge.

After a brief feeling-out period, Younousov quickly asserted dominance, using superior speed and precision to dismantle Lopez with hooks from both sides, securing a thunderous KO in just 85 seconds. This performance propels him to #5 on my top prospects list, and similar boosts are expected in the upcoming November rankings. With victories over former UFC fighters and other high-level competition, Younousov has clearly outgrown the French MMA scene and is ready for a contract with a major promotion.

Ullubiy Amirzhanov: 7-0
Grade: 9 (+5.5)

Amirzhanov has an unusually high grade for a prospect who hasn’t yet faced any graded opponents, but he keeps delivering dominant, technically sound finishes against promising, often unbeaten competition.

This month he took on Rasim Mirzaev and outscored him on the feet before locking in a deep buggy choke on the ground, using his long limbs to put his opponent to sleep from a position where generating that kind of pressure is notoriously difficult.

The way Ullubiy consistently finishes otherwise-promising fighters with such rare techniques suggests he could be a special talent worth tracking closely. That said, he still needs to face at least one well-proven test before his full potential can be confidently assessed.

Ruslan Kasymaly uulu: 11-0
Grade: 8.5 (+3)

Shinebaatar Bat-Erdene: 6-0
Grade: 5.5 (+3.5)

Bat-Erdene is emerging as one of the most promising lightweight prospects out of Mongolia, a country rapidly gaining recognition as an MMA talent hotspot. Standing 5’6”, he may not be tall, but his explosiveness, wrestling, and submission skills, combined with surprising striking power, make him a multi-dimensional threat.

Due to the sporadic nature of MMA events in Mongolia, Bat-Erdene has also competed in Japan, facing opponents with a combined record of 45-19-2—valuable experience for a fighter so early in his career.

2025 has been a breakout year for Bat-Erdene. He recorded three consecutive submission victories over Kai Yoshida (6-0, 1/100), Odsuren Shagdar (5-0), and Shohei Nose (14-6-2). His latest guillotine choke over Nose took just 80 seconds, showcasing precise technique: his leg grapevines immobilized his opponent, and the squeeze was so tight that even a skilled BJJ practitioner tapped despite partial arm defense. This fight also marked his Shooto debut, proving he has the tools to mount a serious title run.

While his talent positions him to compete at the highest level, experience remains a limiting factor. Many believed he could have earned a Road to UFC call earlier in 2025, but he may now be poised for that opportunity in 2026.

Arthur Ventura: 4-0
Grade: 3 (+2)

After joining these rankings in August, Ventura made a quick turnaround against Alejandro Ribeiro (2-1) and picked up another quick finish with a flying knee KO in just 47 seconds. While his opponent wasn’t great, seeing this type of explosive ability out of a teenage submission specialist makes me very excited about Arthur’s ceiling. I’d said that I wanted Jungle Fight to keep him busy and they’re doing exactly that with this sort of matchup, so I hope he’s able to fight again soon, since he didn’t take much damage at all in this fight.

Kurban Zaynukov: 5-0
Grade: 2.5 (+1)

Zaynukov’s trajectory continues upward after his Fight Nights stint, proving my earlier concern about him being stuck in Russia unfounded. He returned to UAE Warriors for a quick turnaround against Taishi Horie (3-0) at 140 pounds. Kurban displayed his well-rounded MMA skillset, though he didn’t dominate the fight in a way you’d expect from a top prospect—perhaps Horie is better than his record suggests.

Still, Kurban preserved his perfect finishing streak, securing a ninja choke in late R3. His continued success nudges his grade upward, but to see a major boost, he’ll need a test against a more established opponent.

Karim Henniene: 6-0
Grade: 1.5 (+0.5)

Henniene earned his first career KO win, giving him a minor boost in the rankings, though questions about his long-term upside remain. He missed weight for the first time but managed a spectacular flying knee to finish Boule Godogo (4-0). Despite the finish, Henniene was outworked and outstruck for much of the fight, exposing lingering issues in his game such as a low guard, limited punching power, and a cautious approach in round three.

On the positive side, his timing and counter-striking at distance were solid, and his takedown defense kept him out of serious trouble on the fence. The KO finish earned him a modest grade increase and a spot in the PFL Africa tournament finale, though he will likely be a significant underdog against top contenders like Nkosi Ndebele.

Danny Jarquin: 4-0-1
Grade: 1.5 (+0.5)

After debuting in the rankings in September’s Ins and Outs column, Danny Jarquin returned to action just three weeks later, dropping down to 140 pounds. His opponent, Byron Jimenez (2-0), while light on professional experience, had a 13-3 amateur record and was considered one of Nicaragua’s top prospects—though not the most challenging title to claim.

Jarquin showcased clear dominance, ending the fight in under two minutes with a precise knee to the body. With his record growing this quickly, Jarquin could be in line for bigger opportunities in 2026, potentially with a Mexican promotion where he would face a deeper and more competitive regional talent pool.

Aziz Azizov: 8-0
Grade: 1 (+0.5)

Azizov is a promising young Dagestani MMA prospect who has mostly faced relatively weak competition, with two of his early wins flagged on Tapology. Interestingly, the majority of his fights have taken place in China, giving him a unique career path compared to other regional prospects.

In September, Azizov earned a second-round KO with a body kick against a debuting opponent, though the result wasn’t officially announced until recently—meaning he wasn’t featured in the last Undefeated Update. He quickly returned to the cage for a rematch against Wubukasimu Kuerban (10-11), his most experienced opponent to date and the only fighter so far to take him to a decision.

Azizov dominated the rematch, securing an early takedown, smoothly advancing through controlling positions, and delivering heavy ground-and-pound that ended with powerful hooks from mount. This victory marked his seventh career KO and earned him a modest grade boost. However, to continue his rise, Azizov will need to face tougher competition moving forward.

Flyweights:

Imanol Rodriguez: 6-0
Grade: 35 (+5)

When I wrote about Imanol after his TUF loss (which I thought he actually won), I said I expected him to be in the UFC by the end of the year. I figured he’d get signed outright, as some semi-finalists do, but instead he earned his spot the hard way — by steamrolling Roque Conceição (10-2) on DWCS.

Conceição opened with some solid kicks, but Rodriguez was patient and coiled, waiting for his moment to explode. When he did, it was devastating. A clean straight right dropped his opponent and kicked off a relentless assault — heavy ground strikes, powerful hooks, and measured aggression that never crossed into recklessness. I especially liked that he mixed in body shots during his flurries, showing he’s not just a headhunter even when chasing a finish.

After absorbing a barrage of punishment, Conceição finally fell to a sharp uppercut following a series of hooks — a statement win that made the UFC call inevitable. Rodriguez may still be light on pro experience, but there’s no question he’s ready for the big show. The only thing left to find out is how high his ceiling really is.

Christian Natividad: 6-0
Grade: 15 (+5)

Natividad is one of my favorite American prospects, and his well-rounded, composed style should translate cleanly to the UFC level. A strong wrestler with over a decade of development behind him (including a 5-0 amateur run), Christian combines athleticism and experience into a disciplined, efficient approach. He’s explosive but light on his feet, using that speed to control range and score without exposing himself to big counters. When opponents get impatient and rush, he punishes them with reactive takedowns and drains them from top position.

What makes him stand out is how he blends control and offense — he doesn’t just stall in guard but actively works to pass, maintain strong base pressure, and land steady ground-and-pound. He rarely gives up position chasing finishes, but that balance shifted this month against Jostin Quilca (9-2, 1/100), the first graded opponent and best record of his career. Quilca had momentum coming in, but he looked a step behind from the opening exchanges. After a mistimed kick, Natividad hit a clean takedown into side control, smoothly transitioned to the back, and flattened Quilca out with his hips before unleashing precise ground strikes. He maintained dominant control throughout and forced a Round 1 TKO — his first finish since early in his pro career.

That kind of composed, technically sound dominance over a quality opponent should put him firmly on the UFC’s radar. A DWCS slot next year feels like the natural next step.

Royce Butler: 6-0
Grade: 6 (+5)

If Butler were in his 20s, I’d almost guarantee he’d find his way to the UFC eventually — and while it’s still possible, it’ll need to happen soon given that he’s already 32. Physicality is arguably his biggest asset; he’s built like a compact, muscular bantamweight yet doesn’t give up any size or reach for the division. Despite only debuting as an amateur less than four years ago, he’s been impressively active, logging 14 fights and riding an 11-fight win streak dating back to his amateur days.

While he’s fairly well-rounded, striking is his bread and butter. He first entered my rankings in February after an impressive Round 3 KO of Corvan Allen (6-2), his first real test as a pro. A quick submission win over a short-notice opponent followed, setting up his A1 Combat debut this month — a title shot against Mason Carzino-Hartshorn (6-1). Carzino-Hartshorn brought strong wrestling credentials and found early success with takedowns and cage control, but Butler’s front chokes, explosive scrambles, and clear size advantage quickly changed the dynamic.

Whenever he found open space, Butler’s power showed. He pumped a hard jab that set up his other weapons — especially his straight shots down the middle that kept his opponent honest — and mixed in thudding body kicks. His first knockdown came off a right hook, but he overcommitted to the follow-up and got tied up on the fence. He adjusted perfectly in Round 2, maintaining distance, picking his moments, and landing another knockdown with a crisp lead hook into a huge straight right. From there, he poured on heavy ground-and-pound and even showcased surprising strength with a pair of explosive mat returns before the referee stopped it late in the round.

Though his opponent wasn’t graded, Carzino-Hartshorn’s wrestling background made this a meaningful test — and Butler passed it with authority. He vaults up my rankings after this win, and a title defense later this year or early 2026 could put him right in line for a UFC call-up.

Chance Ikei: 6-0
Grade: 4.5 (+3.5)

Ikei is an outstanding athlete who earned his place in the rankings after going 5-0 as both an amateur and a pro, though much of his upside was based on projection since his pro opposition hadn’t been particularly strong. That changed this month with a matchup against Jordan Burkholder (6-2), a smaller but dangerous grappler capable of testing anyone he faces. Chance looked sharp on the feet and showed real confidence in the scrambles, willingly engaging on the mat and ultimately taking Burkholder’s back to secure a rear-naked choke finish.

Now 5-0 under the LFA banner and in his physical prime at 28, Ikei looks ready to start making a real push. With another one or two wins, a DWCS opportunity in 2026 feels like the logical next step.

Leave a comment below if I missed anyone or your favorite fighter isn’t getting the love he deserves. As always, thanks for reading and come back soon for the next Undefeated Update. Until then, find me @JamesLikesMMA on Twitter if you want to talk prospects.