5 Fighters UFC Needs to Sign
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The UFC is constantly looking for the world’s next best fighters on the horizon. Factors like fight style, personality, and resumes make certain prospects stand out. These five red-hot prospects are due for a shot in the big leagues.
UFC is constantly on the hunt for the world’s next best fighters, scouring promotions around the globe to find talent that stands out. Whether it’s their fight style, unique personality, or impressive resumes, certain prospects rise to the top.
With many seasoned veterans already holding positions in the UFC, the door is opening wider for fresh, hungry talent eager to make their mark. Read about five red-hot prospects that are making waves in their respective promotions. All are more than ready to step into the UFC cage and show what they can do on the biggest stage in the sport.
Luke Riley (Featherweight)
Luke Riley is arguably the sport’s biggest prospect outside of the UFC at the moment. Fighting out of Liverpool, England, the 25-year-old holds a jaw-dropping undefeated professional record of 11-0. However, he is technically 15-0, counting his amateur career. Riley has gone on to make a name for himself in Cage Warriors. In September, he was originally scheduled to fight Kevin Vallejos on Dana White’s Contender Series. Unfortunately, Visa issues forced him to withdraw.
Riley has competed exclusively in the premier European promotion since making his professional debut in October 2021. But, what sets him apart from many other prospects is his finishing ability. He began his career with five consecutive wins by KO/TKO in just over a year. He has also faced a solid level of competition, including victories over three undefeated fighters and several more experienced veterans.
Riley’s last fight was on March 15 in the main event of Cage Warriors 185 where he picked up a second-round TKO over the skilled Tariel Abbasov. After his electric performance, Riley went cage-side to the commentary headset calling his shot for the UFC to sign him.
Harry Hardwick (Featherweight)
Some deem Harry Hardwick (13-3-1) as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UK MMA scene. He is the reigning Cage Warriors featherweight champion, and has nothing left to prove outside of the UFC.
Fighting out of Middlesbrough, England, Hardwick, 30, has built a wealth of experience inside the cage. He debuted professionally back in April 2015 and got off to a decent start, going 2-0. However, he faced adversity early in his career back in July 2017 when he suffered his first loss as a pro against Blaine O’Driscoll. From 2017 to 2020, Hardwick struggled to find consistency in the cage. He put up a 3-3 record over this span, fighting twice in Bellator around the latter stage of this span, going 1-1.
Hardwick lost his second fight in Bellator, but returned from the loss with a first-round submission victory in a different organization. In June 2021, he would make his Cage Warriors debut against the formidable Jean N’Doye, winning a tight split decision. Hardwick started his time with Cage Warriors on a three-fight win streak, eventually facing a hiccup on the road after crossing paths with undefeated Federico Pasquali in June 2022. The two engaged in a razor-thin battle that resulted in a majority draw. Hardwick did not let this deter his confidence in the cage as he bounced back with two straight wins, earning a Cage Warriors title shot. He faced Orlando Wilson Prins for the vacant title at Cage Warriors 172 in May 2024. Hardwick captured the belt with a statement-making second-round TKO finish over Prins. He has since successfully defended his belt twice over Keweny Lopes and Javier Garcia.
Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
The UFC is in dire need of heavyweight talent. Josh Hokit (4-0) is a former NFL player and D1 All-American wrestler at Fresno State University. He is surging the ranks outside the UFC, displaying nothing short of pure dominance inside the cage.
Hokit, 27, has made the transition from professional American football to fighting look seamless. He got his start as a professional inside the Bellator cage, debuting on the historic Bellator 300 card. He secured a third-round arm triangle choke against the debuting Spencer Smith. Hokit would then have his second fight with the company last September, where he fastened an impressive first-round armbar over Sean Rose.
Most recently, Hokit has taken his talents to the LFA cage. He has already created a remarkable 2025 campaign featuring back-to-back first-round stoppages over more experienced competition, defeating John Lopez in January and Ezekiel Latu in March. Besides his evident skill, one selling point that makes Hokit stand out is his ability to use the microphone. He has made post-fight viral speeches time and time again, setting him alongside the likes of Sean Strickland and Colby Covington.
Marcos Degli (Flyweight)
Brazil’s Marcos Degli (12-3) is one of the sharpest prospects in the flyweight division. The now LFA interim flyweight champion is known for avoiding decisions by judges. This strategy makes him a potential fan favorite. His finishing ability and versatility make him such an intriguing prospect. Out of Degli’s twelve wins, eleven have come via stoppage.
The 24-year-old had a rough start to his professional career after debuting in 2021. He lost his first two fights via decision against more experienced competition. He then competed four times before the year ended, winning his final two bouts against lower-level fighters. In March 2022, Degli faced Felipe dos Santos, who is now a UFC fighter. This would be his last loss as a professional. Since this loss, Degli has accumulated an eye-catching ten-fight win streak en route to capturing the LFA flyweight title.
He made his LFA debut in May 2023 against the skilled Hugo Paiva at LFA 159. Since, has competed four times inside the LFA cage, going 4-0 with three finishes. Degli’s last fight was in the co-main event of LFA 201 where he defeated Lincon Santos via second-round TKO for the interim flyweight championship.
Uran Satybaldiev (Light Heavyweight)
Like the UFC’s heavyweight division, the light heavyweight division also needs fresh faces and talent. The reigning undefeated LFA light heavyweight champion Uran Satybaldiev (9-0) would make a great addition to the roster. The Kyrgyzstan fighter brings an exciting, guns-blazing approach to the cage and has shown serious grit to go with it. Out of Satybaldiev’s nine victories, seven have come via stoppage.
Satybaldiev, 30, got his professional start in February 2020. The exciting light heavyweight scored five straight TKOs to kick off his career. He defeated the experienced Vladimir Selivisterov in July 2022 in his final fight before entering the LFA cage. Satybaldiev made his LFA debuted at LFA 165 in August 2023 when he defeated Brazilian Gabriel Thimoteo. His second fight under the promotion was a shot at the LFA interim light heavyweight title at LFA 178 in March 2024. He faced the experienced Brazilian Bruno Assis and weathered the early storm en route to a fourth-round TKO.
His most recent fight was a title unification in the main event of LFA 203 on March 6. Satybaldiev defeated Leon Soares via third-round kimura in a barn burner of a fight. Since the UFC needs more light heavyweight talent, Satybaldiev brings an exciting style and the resume to back it up.
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