The UFC is becoming more exciting in 2024 with interesting title fights and a thrilling UFC 300 fight card on the way. However, their are some fascinating prospects in the UFC who could be top contenders of their weight division and possibly have a chance of becoming champion. Here are five prospects you should look out for.
Ikram aliskerov
Ikram Aliskerov is a Russian fighter who has a record of 15 wins and one loss. Aliskerov has six knockout wins along with five submission wins in his MMA career.
The Kasumkent-born fighter earned his way into the UFC after defeating Mario Sousa by first-round submission at Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS). That victory made it his fifth successful stoppage in the first round.
Aliskerov's only loss came against well-noticed UFC fighter, Khamzat Chimaev, as he suffered a knockout loss in the first round at Brave CF 23. Since then, he has gone on a seven fight winning streak with only one win ending by decision.
The Middleweight masterclass amazed the crowd on his UFC debut when he knocked out Phil Hawes in the first round to announce his arrival into the organisation at UFC 288. He then proved to be a real problem for the weight division when he defeated Warlley Alves by first-round TKO at UFC 294.
Ikram is set to fight on the main card of UFC 298 and has an opportunity to enter the Middleweight rankings when he takes on #14 contender, Anthony Hernandez.
tatsuro taira
Tatsuro Taira is a Japanese fighter who is currently undefeated in his MMA career with 15 victories. Four of those wins have ended by KO/TKO and seven opponents have submitted to Taira.
The 24-year old spent the majority of his career at MMA organisation Shooto before heading into the UFC. The Naha-born fighter earned three consecutive first-round submissions to achieve a spot in the biggest MMA company.
The #15 Flyweight contender made his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 54, winning dominantly by unanimous decision. In the same year, Taira defeated CJ Vergara by second-round submission as he would put the Flyweight division on notice.
Last year was the best year of Taira's career as he earned three wins in three fights which included; a first-round submission win against Jesus Aguilar at UFC Vegas 68, an unanimous decision triumph over Edgar Chairez at UFC 290, and a second-round TKO victory against Carlos Hernandez at UFC Vegas 83 which earned him a contender's spot in the Flyweight rankings.
Tatsuro has not had a fight confirmed for 2024 but his contender's spot in the Flyweight rankings should give him an opportunity to face a higher ranked opponent.
Benoit Saint-denis
Benoit Saint-Denis is a French fighter who holds 13 wins, one loss and one fight ending by no contest in his MMA career. All of his wins have ended by stoppage as he has four knockout wins and nine submission victories.
God of War fought at Brave CF before he caught the attention of UFC president, Dana White, to give him a contract into the organisation.
The Nimes-born fighter suffered his first MMA loss on his UFC debut when he faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, losing by unanimous decision at UFC 267. Saint-Denis' next two fights were very successful during 2022 when he defeated Niklas Stolze by second-round submission at UFC Vegas 56 and Gabriel Miranda by second-round TKO at UFC Paris.
The #11 Lightweight contender had a triumphant 2023 which started with a first-round submission against Ismael Bonfim at UFC Vegas 76. Saint-Denis then defeated Thiago Moises by second-round TKO in his home country of France before earning a superb first-round head kick knockout against Matt Frevola at UFC 295, earning a position in the Lightweight rankings.
Benoit is set to face UFC veteran and former Interim Lightweight Champion, Dustin Poirier, in the Co-Main Event of UFC 299 as he not only has the chnace to boost up the Lightweight rankings but possibly earn a title shot.
Karine Silva
Karine Silva is a Brazilian fighter who has an MMA record of 17 wins and four losses. She has stopped all of her opponents when victorious, earning eight KO/TKO wins and nine submissions successes.
The Dourados-born fighter was involved in many MMA organisation before she made her way into the UFC. Silva went on a four-fight first-round winning streak which clearly caught the eyes of the MMA community and the UFC.
Killer earned a contract into the UFC through DWCS as she submitted Qihui Yan in the second round. Silva then made her UFC debut at UFC Vegas 56, succeeding with a first-round submission win over Poliana Botelho.
The #12 Women's Flyweight contender continued her winning streak with a first-round submission win against Ketlen Souza at UFC Vegas 74. Silva then fought in her first UFC PPV when she amazed the crowd with submission win right at the end of the first round against Maryna Moroz at UFC 292.
An upcoming fight is not yet confirmed for Karine although it is likely that she will face a higher ranked opponent in the Flyweight rankings as she looks to extend her eight-fight stoppage winning streak.
Vitor petrino
Vitor Petrino is a Brazilian fighter who is currently undefeated with 10 victories. Seven of those victories have ended by knockout or technical-knockout and one of his wins as ended by submission.
Icao fought in multiple MMA organisations before fighting on DWCS to earn a UFC contract as he succeeded with a knockout win against Rodolfo Bellato in the second round.
The Minas Gerais-born fighter earned his second career decision win on his UFC debut when he defeated Anton Turkalj at UFC Fight Night 221.
In the same year after his UFC debut, Petrino got his first submission win of his MMA career when he defeated Marcin Prachnio in the the third round with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 290. He then followed on with a win in his home country, conquering Modestas Bukauskas by second-round knockout at UFC Sao Paulo.
Vitor has not got a scheduled fight for 2024 at the moment but the likelihood of how he has performed in his first three fights and remaining undefeated shows that he will be a real contender in the UFC Light Heavyweight division.
Which UFC prospect are you most looking forward to seeing in 2024? Can any of these fighters become UFC champion in the future?
Featured Image: kungfufrogmma
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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