Best Prospects of the Weekend (1/23-1/24)

Following another jam-packed weekend of MMA, we return this week with the first UFC event of the year. However, there are a ton of prospects in action this weekend, specifically Brazilians. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:

1. Marcos Degli (Flyweight, Brazil, LFA): The flyweight champion of LFA, Marcos Degli is clearly one of the top prospects in the LFA and potentially the top flyweight prospect outside the UFC. Degli may be the hardest hitting 125er out there right now with punching power that reminds me of countryman John Lineker. That finishing prowess, including his submission ability, makes him a top candidate for the UFC in the near future. On his plate right now is Luis Aguilar, who is underrated and represents another strong challenge for the hard-hitting Degli.
2. Icaro Brito (Featherweight, Brazil, LFA): Icaro Brito should be in the UFC right now, but two of his Contender Series opportunities ended up not happening for one reason or another. The Fighting Nerds rep is a striker with not only great power, but impressive technique. He can knock you out with any of the weapons from the “art of the eight limbs.” He had cancelled Contender Series matchups with Ernie Juarez in 2024 and Javier Reyes in 2025, both of which are fights I think he would have dominated. He can try to earn another opportunity with a win against Aristides Vinicius.
3. Rafael Pereira (Bantamweight, Brazil, LFA): One of the more experienced Brazilian prospects in the regional scene, Rafael Pereira is a guy that has proven time and time again that he is a quality hand in the bantamweight division. A student of Cristiano Marcello, Pereira is a solidly rounded fighter with pro Muay Thai experience and a solid grappling acumen. His recent fights have seen him to go decision more, which is a habit he will want to snap out of. He faces another solid test in Lionel Abojer in an attempt to keep Pereira’s long winning streak in tact.
4. Frank Silva (Flyweight, Brazil, LFA): Frank Silva was supposed to compete on the Contender Series last year, but was unfortunately unable to do so. He now fights Joao Menezes in his first fight since dropping out of that fight in an attempt to regain the UFC’s attention. Silva is just 21 years old and is looking like a true blue chipper, scoring knockouts in all but one of his wins. Five of his six knockouts are in the first round, showing he doesn’t screw around. With that type of power and violence in him, there’s no wonder the UFC is already paying attention to this guy.
5. Daniel Araujo (Bantamweight, Brazil, LFA): The final of the LFA prospects on the list this weekend, Daniel Araujo brings a wealth of experience to the cage as both a mixed martial artist and pro boxer. That background in boxing guides his hand-heavy style, with seven of his eight pro wins coming by way of knockout. He mixes up to the head and body well, which is why his striking is so devastating. He’s stepped up the competition level in his last two fights, and will do so again with his current opponent Derick Borges, with a win likely positioning him well in the pecking order for the UFC.
6. David Mgoyan (Featherweight, Russia, Tuff-n-Uff): Moving to our first non-Brazilian of the weekend, David Mgoyan takes his first fight since his razor-thin split decision loss on the Contender Series. Mgoyan is just 21 years old and already looks advanced with his skill set. He has a very good wrestling game, but he mixes that well with some underrated striking skills on the feet. His majority decision loss to Tommy McMillen was impressive nonetheless, especially early on when it looked like he really had McMillen’s number. His current opponent is Pablo Burgos, who Mgoyan should beat and potentially earn another crack at the Contender Series.
7. Renato Canuto (Lightweight, Brazil/United States, Tuff-n-Uff): The first of two world-class martial artists that are coming from another sport is Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Renato Canuto, who is taking his third fight as a pro MMA fighter. The high-level BJJ black belt made his MMA debut last year and fought twice, actually showing off some striking skills in a body kick TKO and a soccer kick to the body TKO in those two wins. Both of those wins were in under a minute. He now has a far-more experienced opponent in Luciano Ramos, though his record is well under .500. Obviously, Canuto is trying to take the fast track to the UFC.
8. Smilla Sundell (Women’s Bantamweight, Sweden, Tuff-n-Uff): The other world-class martial artist who will be jumping from the highest levels of Muay Thai to MMA is Smilla Sundell, who is taking her first ever pro MMA fight. Sundell is our under-the-radar prospect of the week for the only reason being that we don’t know how extensive her MMA training is or how she’ll react in potential grappling situations. However, she does have experience fighting in 4-oz. gloves as the former champion of ONE Championship. She takes on veteran Miranda Barber, who despite an under .500 record, is experienced. It’ll be a first good test for Sundell.
9. Naerti Kezibayi (Featherweight, China, JCK): China is still developing it’s mixed martial arts scene right now, but of the few prospects the country currently has to offer, Naerti Kezibayi is likely their top prospect outside the UFC. Just 25 years old, Kezibayi has been tearing through the Chinese MMA scene, showing a strong striking and submission grappling acumen. He hasn’t lost since his second pro fight back in 2021, and since then, has dominated the competition. He takes on his most experienced opponent to date in Hubulan Tuerxunbieke, as Kezibayi looks to be the next Chinese fighter to make the UFC roster.
10. Marcos Aurelio (Bantamweight, Brazil, ONE Championship): Undefeated Brazilian Marcos Aurelio shocked scouts by choosing ONE Championship as his destination for MMA in the near future, especially given their reduced focus on MMA and increased focus on Muay Thai. I just hope, for that reason, he isn’t throwing away time from his career. That said, Aurelio is an LFA veteran who had proven himself a devastating striker with solid instincts on the mat. He takes on ONE fixture Carlo Bumina-ang in his ONE debut, where he has a chance to set himself apart from the other bantamweight mixed martial artists on the roster.

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS

1. Jora Ayvazyan scored a unanimous decision over Bagdos Olzhabay.
2. Bagama Nikabagamaev fell via unanimous decision to veteran Gleb Khabibulin.
3. Alikhan Musaev had his fight cancelled, so did not compete.
4. Josiah Harrell forced the corner of Bekmyrza Dosmatov to throw in the towel, securing the TKO victory.
5. Gigi Canuto continued her submission reign of terror, tapping out Janaina Silva.
6. Arkadiusz Wrzosek scored yet another knockout win, putting down Szymon Bajor in violent fashion.
7. Wiktoria Czyzewska scored the biggest win of her career, knocking out UFC veteran Tamires Vidal with a kick to the body.
8. Samuel Bark dropped a decision to Zafar Mohsen, dropping out of the prospect radar.
9. Tamerlan Dulatov stayed undefeated, scoring an armbar win over Stefan Koncar.
10. Antonio Figueiredo fell via TKO to Takaya Suzuki to close out the weekend.