Islam Makhachev
Record: 18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC
Age: 28
Weight class: Lightweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Dagestan, Russia
Next Fight: TBA
[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is one of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s main training partners and for good reason. Watching the two lightweights compete, they share many similarities. Bringing a strong Dagestani wrestling game to the table, Makhachev has also shown off his slick striking throughout his career. Just rewatch his quick knockout of Gleison Tibau at UFC 220 – the Russian lightweight hits hard. Hopefully 2020 brings Makhachev a step up in competition, because he seemingly deserves it. He’s won six straight against unranked opponents. It’s time for him to take his game to the next level.
A.J. McKee
Record: 16-0 MMA, 16-0 BMMA
Age: 24
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Long Beach, Calif.
Next Fight: TBA
Slowly but surely, [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] is becoming the face of Bellator MMA. His versatile skillset inside the cage, matched with his boldness and confidence outside of it is unusual. If you need an example of Bellator’s ability to build prospects into stars, look no further than McKee. It’s been a slow burn at times, but McKee is finally competing with the big boys. Currently in the midst of the Bellator featherweight grand prix, McKee has handled Derek Campos and Georgi Karakhanyan and is inching closer to a grudge match with rival and champion Patricio Freire.
Geoff Neal
Record: 13-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC
Age: 29
Weight class: Welterweight
Height: 5’11”
Birthplace: Welterweight
Next Fight: TBA
With a superstar team at Fortis MMA backing him, [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] has emerged as the UFC’s dark horse at 170 pounds. Signed following a victorious performance on DWCS, Neal has proven to be a true talent in his short promotional tenure. If viewers weren’t sold after his brutal headkick knockout of Frank Camacho or his ground-and-pound finish of Niko Price, his most recent outing likely did the trick. Taking on Mike Perry at UFC 245, Neal only needed 90 seconds to add another win to his record.
Bo Nickal
Record: 0-0 MMA
Age: 23
Weight class: TBA
Height: 6’1″
Birthplace: Rifle, Colo.
Next Fight: TBA
Yes, Bo Nickal hasn’t had an MMA fight yet, but that doesn’t mean fight fans shouldn’t be excited. Any time an elite-level wrestler of Nickal’s caliber decides to strap on a pair of gloves, it’s worth following along. Nickal is no different. A three-time NCAA wrestling champion and a three-time Big Ten Champion at Penn State University, Nickal recently revealed his plans to delve into the world of MMA. Having signed with First Round Management, Nickal has penciled in long-term plans to compete in MMA after a run in the Olympics.