Next Brazilian MMA Talents to Watch Globally

The latest edition of MMA Fighting’s Brazilian Prospects to Watch highlights emerging talents from Brazil’s regional scene poised to potentially feature on a Contender Series card in 2026 or secure immediate spots in organizations like the UFC and PFL. These fighters could be snatched up by other major promotions before the bigger leagues catch on.

This year, the list exclusively includes athletes under 30 who have not yet competed for a prominent promotion.

Among the featured talents, Bia Mesquita, indicated as one to watch for 2025, is already 1-0 with the UFC. Likewise, Alexia Thainara and Felipe Lima, highlighted in the 2024 cohort, are also part of the UFC roster.

In 2023, we spotlighted Marciley Alves, who triumphed in the PFL bantamweight tournament in August, along with UFC fighters Marco Tulio and Jean Matsumoto. Previous prospects include Ismael Bonfim and Vitor Petrino from the 2022 list, while Caio Borralho, Jailton Almeida, and Mairon Santos were recognized in 2021.

Former prospects who have made a name in the UFC include Natalia Silva (2020), Joanderson Brito, and Julia Polastri. Notably, RIZIN champion Roberto Satoshi was featured in 2019, alongside Deiveson Figueiredo and Virna Jandiroba from 2017, with earlier years showcasing stars like Alex Oliveira and Amanda Lemos.

The future looks promising for the ten prospects listed below, and only time will tell if they fulfill their potential.

Featured Prospects

Reginaldo Junior (11-1)

A.K.A. “The Beast,” Reginaldo Junior has racked up five straight wins, recently finishing his last two fights impressively, including a win over Gilberto Sousa in just over a minute.

Lucas Rafael (6-0)

Competing in both kickboxing and MMA, Lucas Rafael, 23, boasts an undefeated MMA record. He has also captured the WGP super middleweight title and won three MMA fights, all by knockout.

Luan Pedroso (12-4)

A 27-year-old featherweight with a muay Thai background and a black belt in jiu-jitsu, Luan Pedroso has achieved five consecutive victories since 2024, including a notable spinning back kick knockout.

Daniel Araujo (8-0)

With a background in boxing, Daniel Araujo transitioned to MMA in 2023 and has secured six first-round knockout victories. At 24, he trains alongside UFC fighters in Brasilia.

Rafael Pereira (14-4)

Rafael Pereira, a seasoned bantamweight black belt in jiu-jitsu, is currently on a nine-fight winning streak, with his last four victories occurring under the LFA banner.

Laura Vasconcelos (5-0)

The current Jungle Fight strawweight champion, Laura Vasconcelos, has defended her title successfully, including a recent knockout victory with a head kick in the first round. She trains at a renowned gym.

Gabriela Fujimoto (7-0)

Competing exclusively under the LFA banner, Gabriela Fujimoto has maintained a perfect record with four stoppages and earned an honorable mention on MMA All-Star Team at strawweight in 2024.

Neto Lopes (5-0)

Known for his finishing ability, Neto Lopes has a 100% finish rate in MMA, highlighted by two knockout-of-the-year contenders, and secured three wins in 2025.

Juan Pablo Vieira (9-0)

Undefeated in his professional career with nine finishes, Juan Pablo Vieira has achieved a remarkable record of four wins in the LFA since 2023, all completed in five minutes or less.

Adriano Sousa (7-0)

The youngest entry on the 2026 list, Adriano Sousa began his pro career as a teenager and has won seven consecutive fights, showcasing his talents with multiple first-round submissions.