Topuria’s Vision, Ronaldo’s Backing: The Making of Europe’s Next MMA Powerhouse
When Way of Warrior Fighting Championship debuted in 2019, few expected what came next. Today, WOW FC is packing arenas across Spain under the leadership of UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The promotion recently made headlines with an investment from soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo. Even more impressive is the surge of high-level fighters rising under its banner.
Every fight night opens with a slate of amateur talent, giving WOW FC a prospect pipeline similar to Cage Warriors or Cage Fury FC. WOW 25 on December 13 features some of the best amateurs in the sport. Diego Esteche, a featherweight submission specialist, looks to extend his 12-fight win streak against IMMAF runner-up Marc Cabrera. The two Spaniards headline an amateur lineup that also includes current WOW FC champion Mouslim Saidoulaiev. This depth of amateur talent strengthens WOW FC’s future. Its current momentum comes from the professionals, though. They have turned the promotion into a true proving ground for top-tier fighters.
Currently, the most historically notable fighter at WOW FC is former TUF Champion and UFC veteran Brett Johns. Though that’s destined to change as the young stars of the division begin stacking victories. Portuguese featherweight Zé Machado, currently undefeated, is making his WOW debut at WOW 25. A former IMMAF veteran who captured the lightweight finals in 2023. Machado is as physically imposing as you can get and has been finding finishes. His wide stature and strength in a weight class like 145 will prove increasingly lethal as he sharpens his skills.
The spotlight also falls on 22-year-old Ethan “The Arm Assassin” Burmingham. An undefeated lightweight prospect through both the amateur and professional ranks. The grapple-heavy Burmingham stands six feet tall and uses his long limbs well on the ground. He’s hitting smooth judo throws and finishing with slick submissions or ground-and-pound. His resume has been padded so far, but he has the tools to become a real threat at the pro level. The American doesn’t have his next bout booked yet, but we should see him back early in the new year.
What makes WOW FC’s rise so compelling isn’t just the packed arenas or the celebrity investment — it’s the fighter ecosystem taking shape inside the promotion. The amateur slate is producing athletes who already compete with professional poise, while the pro roster is filling with names capable of hanging with the best outside the UFC. Brett Johns brings proven experience, Machado adds championship pedigree and physical dominance, and Burmingham offers youthful unpredictability and finishing instincts. Together, they show a promotion that can develop raw prospects, refine rising contenders, and showcase established veterans under one banner.
WOW FC is no longer a startup — it’s becoming a true force in European MMA, one capable of shaping careers and shifting expectations. As the promotion continues to expand, the fighters competing at WOW 25 and beyond may one day be remembered as the generation that sparked Spain’s breakthrough on the global MMA map.