10 Middleweight Prospect The UFC Should Sign in 2024 (Patreon)

Virgil Augen
27
Nice, France
6-0
1 KO/TKO, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 23-7-1

Augen is not not a big 205er at just six-foot but he's been muscling guys around. Augen lacks in height but he's so strong and his wrestling and pressure is a compliment to all that. His wrestling has been solid with strong hips and being able to get on the legs. His offensive grappling has checked out. He's smothered with top position, ground and pound, and can sink the choke in pretty quickly. He's coming off a one-sided win over Contender Series alum, Henrique Shiguemoto where he showed vast improvements

Eslam Abdul Baset
30
Cairo, Egypt
15-2, 1 NC
7 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 51-33-1

Baset is a strong dude who is super athletic. The striking is a bit one-and-done but he is a good wrestler. His best work is done when he gets the takedown. Baset is physically strong on top and his ground and pound is his best weapon. If he was to sign with the UFC he'd join the only one ever to be on the roster. I have already heard the UFC has been in talks with trying to bring him in.

Kerim Daudov
26
Dagestan, Russia
9-0
5 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 40-21-1

Daudov is one of the better middleweight prospects around. His hands drop but does a solid job of lulling guys into his counter shots. He is a dangerous counter striker making guys pay when they come in recklessly. Daudov is strong at putting his hands together throwing in combinations and being really accurate. He throws a sneaky-good uppercut. Power, accuracy, and really good timing. He is a promising prospect but his competition has been weak.

Matej Penaz
27
Brno, Czech Republic
8-1
7 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents' record: 67-54-1

Penaz is a talented young man who has a lot of accomplishments. Outside of MMA, Penaz is an established kickboxer. He’s 3-1 in Glory and 23-3 overall with 12 KO/TKOs. Penaz is a sniper shooting explosive rounds. Penaz does a great job fighting at his preferred range. He uses a long jab keeping opponents at the end of his punches. His one-two (in his case being the right-left) is deadly. All combined with his shot placement and hand speed. Penaz can be too comfortable in the pocket, but luckily he mostly fights in-and-out. He’s yet to end a fight with a kick but he’s insanely quick throwing the head kick. Penaz is a dangerous striker that can finish the fight at any point. It's time for Penaz to come into the UFC since not only is he good but the UFC needs middleweights. Penaz's only loss was on the contender series and he lost by submission early to SD Dumas. From watching the UFC run Dumas is on I'm fully convinced the win over Penaz was a fluke. I'm confident in saying Penaz has a higher ceiling than Dumas.

Torrez Finney
25
Chattanooga, Tennessee, US
7-0
5 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponents' record: 27-28-1

Finney was snubbed of a UFC contract this last season on the contender series. Although he did finish an undefeated opponent Dana decided it's best to give him more time. As more time could benefit him it was surprising he wasn't signed as he's in a weak weightclass. Finney looks terrifying being jacked from head to toe. He’s a unit despite being short for the division. His striking is limited but he has knockout power and throws well to close the distance. He isn’t someone you want getting a hold of you as he will lift you high and put you down hard. Finney is freakishly strong but does have solid wrestling even being able to chain wrestle when needed.

Alain Van De Merckt
30
Brussels, Belgium
5-0
1 KO/TKO, 4  Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 18-21

Merckt has fought at both light-heavyweight and middleweight but has looked much better at middleweight. He's a good athlete that on the feet he'll throw from both sides with a lot of power. His skillset shines more on the mat where he has four submissions. Merckt has been dominant with top control, ground and pound, and eventual fight-ending submissions. Watch out for Mercky because he can be signed to the UFC at any point.

Dani Barbir
26
Croatia
6-0, 1 NC
4 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 9-9

Barbir is a quality fighter but has suffered from inactivity only fighting twice in three years. On the feet, he looks good. He has good footwork, good kickboxing, quick hand speed, and a fire one-two he throws. Babir is athletic and explosive, as he has shown so far in his career. He hasn’t really displayed too much on that wrestling side, but his grappling is good, especially in scrambles. Still very green but I have a hunch he’s going to be a good one, especially at middleweight.

Keith Dowell
25
Memphis, Tennessee, US
3-0
1 KO/TKO, 1 Submission
Combined opponents' record: 3-7-1

Dowell is a young pro but has some credible wins. As a pro he's coming off a win against Lydell Poag who I was high on at one point. As an amateur, he beat Danny Barlow who is now a UFC fighter. Dowell is an opportunist that can pose a threat no matter where the fight is at. He's got power in his hand. As his technique lacks his shot selection and power stands out. Dowell is a better wrestler and at best on the mat on top. He's a submission threat always attacking looking for the finish.

Ateba Abega Gautier
22
Doula, Cameroon
5-1
4 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents' record: 20-37-1

Gautier is still green in a lot of ways but he's only 22 so he's got a bright future at 185. His only loss is by split decision and has won four since. Offensively he's a big threat. He's a big middleweight standing at six-foot-three and he knows how to use his range. He's a skilled striker and kickboxer with huge power and a lot of athleticism. His takedown defense isn't too good and his gas tank is very questionable. He still looks like a big threat at middleweight.

Igor Cavalcanti
26
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
8-0
6 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 22-31

Cavalcanti has only been fighting as a pro since 2021 so he's been very active. In 2023 he fought four times. In all of his fights, he's finished all inside the distance and all inside the first round. Even though he has won various grappling competitions he’s been knocking guys out. Then again, he has competed in amateur boxing as well. In MMA, Cavalcanti has powered guys to the mat slinging them down with a lot of force. He seems to be well-equipped on the mat with jiu-jitsu, ground and pound, and a submission game. Cavalcanti has some heavy hands and leg kicks with a lot of aggression. There is still a lot of questions but you can’t look away when watching this guy.