idealistsynth
6’4 South Asian teenager 🎉🥳
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2025
- Posts
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In no particular order. Not naming guys who are/were ranked, are well known (like the mogger Islam Dulatov), etc. Not naming guys who were champs from Bellator/PFL coming in, either.
1. Jacobe Smith
Met him when he fought in the regional scene. Extensive collegiate wrestling background but has the submission offence and explosiveness other high level college wrestlers haven't shown to possess. I like the fact that he has been finishing opponents at 170 without cutting much weight. Being frank, he's a 55er and will be there when it comes to fighting higher level guys. Definitely a top 5 guy in the future.
2. Kevin Vallejos
Slick, crisp boxing reminiscent of Topuria. Only loss is a decision to Jean Silva on the Contender series. Very good at cutting corners, shot placement, etc. The new meta of long combinations and heavy lateral movement will favor fighters like Vallejos. Expecting a big year in 2026, hopefully ranked by the end. Definitely a perennial ranked guy in the future.
3. Alden Coria
Hails from the same camp as Joshua Van, Daniel Pineda, all the high-level Texan guys. Have met him before and he is the epitome of talent. Incredibly good boxing, great takedown defense, decent BJJ, has all the tools to be a ranked guy. A high-quality flyweight camp paired with his statement initial performance against a technical vet like Alessandro Costa is a good sign.
4. Magomed Zaynukov (Chanco)
Super volume-heavy former Muay Thai champ that is also Dagestani, trains with the Khabib/Islam camp. A genuine nightmare in terms of characteristics and ability. This dude throws a TON, doesn't miss, and is a striker with access to the best control wrestlers in the world. Sky is the limit but can't rate him too high till he gets a fight in the actual UFC. Surely will be a ranked fighter one day.
5. Mason Jones
Had a shabby first stint in the UFC when he was younger, looking on or off. Had a return to the regional scene, double champ in Cage Warriors, and then topped it off with a stellar returning run in the UFC. Very good Judo, chin, and ground n pound. Stocky, resilient, and powerful, definitely has the tools and now the experience to make a little run in the rankings.
Jones is a part of this new generation of fighters who come to the UFC young, get acquainted with the bright lights, are inconsistent, come back more mature and ready for the show. Seeing this time and again, second UFC runs are normal now. These guys' losses are not very indicative of their ability. Decent prospect.
1. Jacobe Smith
Met him when he fought in the regional scene. Extensive collegiate wrestling background but has the submission offence and explosiveness other high level college wrestlers haven't shown to possess. I like the fact that he has been finishing opponents at 170 without cutting much weight. Being frank, he's a 55er and will be there when it comes to fighting higher level guys. Definitely a top 5 guy in the future.
2. Kevin Vallejos
Slick, crisp boxing reminiscent of Topuria. Only loss is a decision to Jean Silva on the Contender series. Very good at cutting corners, shot placement, etc. The new meta of long combinations and heavy lateral movement will favor fighters like Vallejos. Expecting a big year in 2026, hopefully ranked by the end. Definitely a perennial ranked guy in the future.
3. Alden Coria
Hails from the same camp as Joshua Van, Daniel Pineda, all the high-level Texan guys. Have met him before and he is the epitome of talent. Incredibly good boxing, great takedown defense, decent BJJ, has all the tools to be a ranked guy. A high-quality flyweight camp paired with his statement initial performance against a technical vet like Alessandro Costa is a good sign.
4. Magomed Zaynukov (Chanco)
Super volume-heavy former Muay Thai champ that is also Dagestani, trains with the Khabib/Islam camp. A genuine nightmare in terms of characteristics and ability. This dude throws a TON, doesn't miss, and is a striker with access to the best control wrestlers in the world. Sky is the limit but can't rate him too high till he gets a fight in the actual UFC. Surely will be a ranked fighter one day.
5. Mason Jones
Had a shabby first stint in the UFC when he was younger, looking on or off. Had a return to the regional scene, double champ in Cage Warriors, and then topped it off with a stellar returning run in the UFC. Very good Judo, chin, and ground n pound. Stocky, resilient, and powerful, definitely has the tools and now the experience to make a little run in the rankings.
Jones is a part of this new generation of fighters who come to the UFC young, get acquainted with the bright lights, are inconsistent, come back more mature and ready for the show. Seeing this time and again, second UFC runs are normal now. These guys' losses are not very indicative of their ability. Decent prospect.
