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Reflecting on the present, it becomes apparent that 2018 held a unique significance in the history of the UFC. It witnessed the most monumental pay-per-view event in mixed martial arts and the rise of two champ-champs. Additionally, it introduced some of today’s biggest stars to the sport. Fast forward to now, and a new generation of UFC fighters have the potential to recreate the magic seen by their predecessors five years ago.
Zhang Weili, Israel Adesanya, and Petr Yan swiftly ascended from newcomers to UFC champions without a single loss in between. Zhang is currently in her second reign as champion, Adesanya had two successful title reigns, and Yan had a brief period as the interim bantamweight champ. Notably, there are other standouts from the class of 2018, including Cory Sandhagen, Magomed Ankalaev, and Sergei Pavlovich, who are all on the brink of title opportunities in their respective divisions.
It is undoubtedly challenging for any debuting fighter to achieve the same level of success as those mentioned above. Furthermore, it is difficult to determine which fighters have the potential to reach such heights based solely on early impressions. However, there are four fighters who made their UFC debuts in 2023 and are most likely to have a UFC belt in their possession within the next five years. Let’s take a closer look at them.
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Bo Nickal (5-0)
- Age: 27
- Division: Middleweight
- Last fight: victory over Val Woodburn via TKO, Round 1 (July 8 — UFC 290)
- Next fight: to be announced
Rarely does an athlete of Nickal’s caliber transition to MMA. With a background in amateur wrestling, Nickal has an impressive list of accomplishments, including three-time NCAA Division I champion, three-time Big Ten Conference champion, and various other accolades. Since making his UFC debut just nine months after his first MMA fight, he has maintained a perfect 5-0 record. Nickal has impressed with his ability to finish all five opponents within three minutes or less, using a combination of knockouts and submissions. With the guidance of American Top Team, Nickal has the potential to become a top-tier mixed martial artist, showcasing not only his wrestling skills, but also his striking and submission game.
Gabriel Bonfim (15-0)
- Age: 26
- Division: Welterweight
- Last fight: victory over Trevin Giles via submission, Round 1 (July 29 — UFC 291)
- Next fight: against Nicolas Dalby (Nov. 4 — UFC Fight Night)
The world of MMA is constantly evolving, and Gabriel Bonfim might be the change that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) enthusiasts have been waiting for. With an undefeated record of 15-0, Bonfim has showcased his submission skills in all of his victories, with a majority of his wins coming in the first round. What sets Bonfim apart from other submission specialists is his exceptional wrestling ability, allowing him to take the fight to the ground where he can utilize his BJJ skills effectively. In addition, Bonfim’s striking output has been impressive, averaging over six strikes per minute in his recent fights. As he continues to develop his striking defense and maintains his high output, he has the potential to become one of Brazil’s most revered fighters since Charles Oliveira.
Ismael Bonfim (19-4)
- Age: 27
- Division: Lightweight
- Last fight: defeat to Benoit Saint-Denis via submission, Round 1 (July 1 — UFC Fight Night)
- Next fight: to be announced
Ismael Bonfim, the older brother of Gabriel Bonfim, may not have an unblemished record, but competing in the highly competitive lightweight division entails facing numerous challenges. Known for his well-rounded skills, including superior striking defense, Ismael has proven his ability to win fights in various ways. Although endurance may be a concern for debut fighters with padded records, Ismael’s six career decision wins demonstrate his ability to go the distance.
In his UFC debut, Ismael made a flashy entrance by knocking out promising talent Terrance McKinney with a highlight-reel flying knee. He suffered a loss in his second appearance against Benoit Saint-Denis, who is on the verge of breaking into the lightweight top 15. Despite the setback, Ismael’s skills and potential are evident. Being in the lightweight division poses its challenges due to its depth, but a strong comeback performance will solidify Ismael’s position as someone to keep an eye on.
Ikram Aliskerov (14-1)
- Age: 30
- Division: Middleweight
- Last fight: victory over Phil Hawes via KO, Round 1 (May 6 — UFC 288)
- Next fight: against Nassourdine Imavov (Oct. 21 — UFC 294)
Aliskerov’s potential is evident from the fact that the UFC announced a fight between him and former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa, even though Aliskerov is not ranked by the promotion. This indicates the belief that the UFC holds in the Dagestani fighter. Although the matchup did not materialize, Aliskerov is set to face ranked contender Nassourdine Imavov in October.
Aliskerov made his presence known to UFC fans through his participation in “Contender Series,” securing a UFC contract with a first-round submission win. In his promotional debut at UFC 288, he showcased his versatility by emphatically knocking out the experienced Phil Hawes. With an even distribution of wins by KO, submission, and decision, Aliskerov’s skills are well-rounded. Additionally, his accomplishments in Combat Sambo, a discipline closely related to MMA, give him an edge. Losing only to the formidable Khamzat Chimaev, Aliskerov’s upcoming fight against Imavov will further establish him as a fighter to watch.
Honorable mentions: Rinya Nakamura, Steve Erceg
