Contender Series Season 6: Top 10 new UFC fighters (Patreon)

Bantamweight, Farid Basharat (9-0)

The Basharat brothers are always someone I've had my eyes on. Javid earned his contract last season and Farid did this season. Farid dominated Allan Begosso who is a stiff opponent. Basharat had flashed on the feet but it was more so the top control and ground and pound he dominated with. He's one of the most intriguing fighters that fought this season on the contender series. Basharat is coming into a loaded division but I think he fits right in nicely. Sure, he isn't as put together as his brother but isn't far from it.

Bantamweight, Raul Rosas Jr. (6-0)

I picked Rosas to win but came out more impressed. There were some questions leading into this fight regarding Rosas. We didn't know how his gas tank would hold up in the late rounds and how he would do going through any adversity. Rosas answered all that against a tough regional guy Mando Gutierrez. For the first time, he went three rounds and had to fight through some submissions. Rosas still dominated the fight and exceeded all expectations and more. The only worry is he is only 17 coming into a very stacked division. Being so young the young man is only gonna get better. Rosas, if matched up correctly he's gonna be a problem

Middleweight, Ikram Aliskerov (13-1)

Along with other accomplishments, Aliskerov is a two-time world combat sambo champion out of Makhachkala, Russia. His only career loss is to UFC star Khamzat Chimaev. In his fight on the contender series, he ran through three-time CS veteran Mario Sousa. Aliskerov destroyed Sousa with a first-round kimura. It was the first time Sousa has been stopped by submission and in the first round. Aliskerov has beaten stiff competition, has adapted his game, and is in his prime. I said leading up to his contender series fight he was a future top 15 middleweight and I fully believe that.

Welterweight, Gabriel Bonfim (13-0)

Bonfim did have a favorable match-up in Trey Waters but Waters did take the fight on short notice. Prior to that Bonfim beat Brenner Alberth and Eduardo Garvon who are two good fighters. In his fight with Garvon, he won the vacant LFA welterweight title. Although ten of his thirteen wins come by submission Bonfim is a national boxing champion. This guy is legit and I think has top 15 potential.

Lightweight, Ismael Bonfim (18-3)

The older and more experienced Bonfim brother had a stellar performance to get a UFC contract. Beating a guy like Nariman Abbasov who was 28-3 and on a 13-fight win streak. Ismael isn't as Gabriel but is still damn good. He's an incredible technical striker with a quietly good ground game. Bonfim started off 1-2 in his career and is currently riding a 12-fight win streak. I'm very high on Bonfim and I think he goes far in the UFC just like his brother.

Lightweight, Mateusz Rebecki (16-1)

I've been shouting at the rooftops about Rebecki for years and it's good to finally see him in the UFC. He got there with seven FEN title defenses and beating good opponents like the guy he beat on the contender series. Not to mention, he was a Polish ADCC gold medalist as well. Rebecki went through Rodrigo Lidio on the contender series who is a dangerous striker. Rebecki grounded him and easily found the neck for the RNC. Of anyone on this list, Rebecki is the most proven fighter. Not just experience but wins over strong competition.

Bantamweight, Mateus Mendonca (10-0)

Mendonca is another one I've been hyping for years. I thought in his CS fight he would have to use his wrestling/grappling or drag the fight into the later rounds. He did the complete opposite and knocked out Ajim in under a minute. Mendonca is just 23 years old which is soo telling of the future he has in the UFC. He may have got this win from his hands but his ground game is on an even higher level. 

Middleweight, Bo Nickal (2-0)

Of anyone on this list, Nickal has the most hype. Is the hype justified? sue but is it correct to say he's the best from this season? time will always tell. He may of got a layup in his first fight but Donovan Beard was a good test. He ran through Beard easily. Nickal is an NCAA Division I wrestler out of Penn State that gave him all this hype before stepping into the MMA world. His striking has looked good so far but there is no indication he's an actual good striker. Still, Nickal has an extremely high ceiling and has champion potential.

Middleweight, SD Dumas (7-0)

Dumas had a tough fight on paper against Matej Penaz but Dumas blew past him. Dumas submitted Penaz in under a minute with a nice guillotine. What really sold the masses was his personality on the mic. It should be clear that his fighting style is one to watch. Middleweight needs new blood and Dumas is gonna strive. Still has a lot of raw talent and is still a student of the game. If he's matched up correctly he could be a real force in the future.

Welterweight, Yusaku Kinoshita (6-1)

The young man at 22 from Japan had my attention leading up to his contender series fight. He had a weird stylistic fight against a six-foot-three opponent. Jose Henrique had his zero taken off his record getting knocked out in the third round. There were some uncertainties with Kinoshita. There were some questions on his gas tank and how he would fare dealing with any pushback from his opponent. Kinoshita was able to compete later in the fight and his defense looked good while fighting at a good pace. His striking and power are really gonna be a problem at welterweight. I'm really excited for his run in the UFC