Top Contender Series Prospects: Ranking the Best from Season 10

With the conclusion of Season 10 of the Contender Series, the UFC has welcomed 46 new fighters into its roster, reflecting the ongoing evolution of talent in mixed martial arts. The potential of these athletes ranges significantly, with some poised to become the next stars of the UFC and others likely to fade out. This analysis categorizes the prospects into five distinct tiers based on their skill level and future potential, utilizing a Star Rating system.

Understanding the Rating System

To evaluate the potential of these fighters, I’ve established the following classifications:

• Five Stars: Elite prospects with the potential for top-15 rankings and title shots.
• Four Stars: Strong prospects who show significant promise but may lack a specific attribute to reach the pinnacle.
• Three Stars: Competent fighters with chances for longevity in the UFC, albeit without title contention potential.
• Two Stars: Solid competitors who earned their UFC spots, though unlikely to break into upper-tier rankings.
• One Star: Fighters primarily earning an opportunity without substantial indications of future success.

One-Star Prospects

Adama Diop, Alex Apodaca, Alik Lorenz, Greg Foster, Joe Kropschot, Taner Trembley, Tom Pagliarulo, Trent Miller

This group includes fighters who have managed to impress enough to earn a shot in the UFC but come with notable limitations. Age is a critical factor here, as many are on the older side, reducing their margin for growth.

For instance, Alex Apodaca captured attention with her upset victory over Bella Mir in Week 3 but at 32, she faces an uphill battle to gain experience and skill in a sport that favors youth. Similarly, Greg Foster’s exciting fight against Jason Asher showcased his spirit, but at 34, he may not have enough time to develop further.

The exception among these fighters could be Tom Pagliarulo, who, despite not being an exceptional athlete, showcases tactical intelligence and fight IQ that could allow him to navigate a successful career over the next few years.

Two-Star Prospects

Adam Livingston, Cristian Perez, Gabriel Lorenco, Guilherme Uriel, Ian Escuza, Kaik Brito, Luis Francischinelli, Luis Hernandez, Preston LaGrange, Roman Puga

This segment represents fighters who show potential but have inconsistent performances. Cristian Perez, while not particularly athletic, has enough talent to carve out a niche at age 27, though lightweight is a notoriously challenging division.

Gabriel Lorenco, displaying raw explosiveness reminiscent of Todd Duffee, engages in a weak heavyweight class where moderate talent might still propel him up the ranks.

Notably, Luis Hernandez has already made his presence felt in the UFC after a submission victory in September, leveraging his charismatic personality to garner fan support despite not being an exceptionally skilled fighter.

Three-Star Prospects

Adam Darby, Callum Connor, Christian Natividad, Damian Piwowarczyk, Douglas da Lapa, Igor Cavalcanti, Isaac Moreno, Jaden Ortega, Mayton Perea, Martin Kozak, Nick Galanti, Sal Everett

This tier marks a shift towards fighters with a viable chance at longevity in the UFC. Adam Darby, with significant experience from Cage Warriors, demonstrates solid grappling and fighting instincts but may lack the athletic explosiveness needed to break into the upper tiers.

On the other hand, Damian Piwowarczyk arrives with a rich background from KSW, although he leans towards being an action fighter, limiting his potential among the elite.

However, the standout in this category is Sal Everett, a UFC employee who brought remarkable energy to his fight and generated considerable fanfare, suggesting that favorable matchmaking could boost his career significantly.

Four-Star Prospects

Having proven capabilities and potential for growth, our four-star prospects are strong candidates for deeper UFC involvement. Here’s a closer look at these fighters:

Aieza Bertolso — With extensive amateur experience, Bertolso possesses cunning grappling skills but will need refinement in other areas to advance effectively. Comparable to Gillian Robertson.

Alvi Dasuyev — At 24, Dasuyev is a seasoned fighter with impressive pocket awareness and combo power. Comp fitting Said Nurmagomedov, possibly better.

George Staines — Notable for achieving the first slam KO in Contender Series history, Staines is technically solid, with potential akin to Paddy Pimblett and Luke Riley.

Marcos Degli — This athletic flyweight has the right mix of speed and power, calling for improvement in striking variety. Comparable to Deiveson Figueiredo.

Modestino Rodrigues — A former K1 kickboxer, Rodrigues showcases significant striking prowess, warranting attention with his youth. Similar to Dustin Jacoby.

Piero Guaylupo — Guaylupo, 21, exhibits commendable heart and relentless pressure in fights, holding potential to evolve into serious competition. Like John Lineker.

Quentin Pasley — Scheduled for an upcoming bout against Junior Tafa at UFC 335, Pasley’s natural fighting instincts may propel him swiftly up the ranking charts. Reflecting a Young Jon Jones vibe.

Roque Conceicao — With a more measured but efficient fighting approach, Conceicao shows promise as a skilled competitor. Has a touch of Charles Oliveira.

Silvestre Sanchez — Sanchez employs bullying tactics effectively, combining brute strength with power, drawing comparisons to Josh Emmett.

Smilla Sundell — At just 21 and already a Muay Thai champion, Sundell holds potential in the bantamweight division with improvement. Echoes a less athletic Carli Judice.

Anthony Wint — A former NFL player, Wint’s explosive success in the UFC stands out due to his raw strength and competitive nature, akin to Josh Hokit’s rapid ascent.

Five-Star Prospects

This elite segment encapsulates the top-tier talent from Season 10. Ranked in order, these prospects are likely to make significant impacts within the UFC:

Sean Clancy — A notable presence in the Cage Warriors, Clancy combines size and skill to potentially emulate the fight style of Jalin Turner.

Ronald Humphrey — Humphrey’s fiery performance showcases natural talent mixed with fan-friendly charisma, reminiscent of Jacobe Smith.

Bilal Hasan — Hasan has long been viewed as a prospect on the verge of greatness, recently proving his mettle with a lightning-fast victory. His striking skills position him well within the flyweight division, where he can emerge alongside the best. Parallels to Lone’er Kavanagh appear apt.

Mateus Soares — At just 22, Soares demonstrates explosive talent and athleticism, with the potential to evolve into an elite competitor. His early style recalls that of a young Jose Aldo.

Akbar Abdullaev — The standout of the bunch, Abdullaev embodies a complete fighter with considerable skills and relentless energy. His capabilities suggest he is primed to tackle top 15 opponents quickly, showing shades of both Shavkat Rakhmonov and Petr Yan in his abilities.

Season 10 of the Contender Series has set the stage for a fresh wave of fighters eager to leave their mark in the UFC. With diverse fighting styles and varied levels of experience, the potential for excitement and talent development is evident. As they step into the octagon, each fighter must seize the moment and pave their path toward stardom.