Five MMA free agents UFC should sign right now

For the past five years, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has drawn criticism for bypassing talented mixed martial arts (MMA) free agents, like Paul Hughes, to sign less costly Contender Series fighters.

Yet, over the last 18 months, the UFC has bolstered its roster with elite fighters, including Kayla Harrison, Reinier de Ridder, Kai Asakura, and, most recently, Aaron Pico.

With many MMA free agents now available, here are five fighters UFC should seize the opportunity to sign immediately.

A couple of caveats for this list: I’m staying away from former UFC fighters that are free agents, like Shane Burgos or Sage Northcutt, and top regional prospects like Luke Riley.

Yaroslav Amosov
28-1

There is literally no reason why former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov shouldn’t already be on the UFC roster. At his peak, many considered him the best 170-pounder on the planet.

Amosov is supremely talented, boasting elite grappling and a well-rounded skill set, with notable victories over fighters like Douglas Lima and Logan Storley. His only loss was an upset knockout to Jason Jackson in Nov. 2023, despite being a -450 betting favorite.

Beyond his in-cage prowess, Amosov’s story is compelling: he served in the Ukrainian military during the Ukraine-Russia conflict while holding the Bellator title, earning the support of an entire nation.

He last competed in Feb. 2025, submitting Curtis Millender via first-round choke, further proving his dominance (watch highlights).

Loesne Keita
16-1

The Lightweight division is the UFC’s premier and most competitive, making it tough for newcomers to break through. If the promotion seeks to sign one of the best Lightweights outside the UFC, Loesne Keita is the answer—he also competes at Featherweight.

“Black Panther” is the current Oktagon double champion (Featherweight and Lightweight) and recently claimed a $1 million tournament prize by stopping Ronald Paradeiser (watch highlights).

At 27, Keita is remarkably well-rounded, improves with every fight, and has yet to reach his prime. Charismatic and electrifying, he’s must-watch television with ten knockouts.

I’m bending the rules slightly, as Keita is under contract but can join the UFC if offered a deal. The Belgian fighter has previously turned down the UFC (find out why here).

Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC

Kenny Cross
16-4

Kenneth Cross unfortunately got a screwed when he competed on the Contender Series during a time when UFC CEO Dana White wasn’t handing out contracts like candy. “The Boss” fought on Season 5 of the Contender Series and was scheduled to headline the first episode. However, his opponent contracted COVID-19, forcing a two-week postponement and requiring Cross to make weight again.

Cross won his fight but failed to impress the UFC’s head honcho.

He returned to the regional circuit, securing two victories before making his Bellator debut, where he lost to Killys Mota.

The 30-year-old then relocated to Las Vegas, where he has honed his skills with top-tier training partners and elite coaching. His growth is evident in his current three-fight win streak, highlighted by a stunning 14-second knockout in his most recent bout.

Cross is the complete package: an exciting fighter who finishes fights, boasts a charismatic personality, and speaks eloquently.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Ante Delija
25-6

UFC’s Heavyweight division is currently struggling and desperately needs an influx of talent. Ante Delija could add much-needed depth to this underperforming division.

While I acknowledge that “Walking Trouble” is 34 years old, age is less significant in the Heavyweight division.

Delija, a former Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, was once contracted to fight Ciryl Gane in 2020 inside UFC, but PFL voided the bout due to contractual obligations.

The Croatian compiled an 8-3 record in PFL, with losses only to Bruno Cappelozza and Valentin Moldavsky, and boasts a first-round finish over Renan Ferreira.

Well-rounded for a Heavyweight, Delija possesses knockout power and strong grappling skills, making him a potential threat in the UFC’s mid-265-pound division.

He most recently knocked out former UFC fighter Yorgan De Castro (watch highlights).

Photo by Matt Davies/PX Images/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Lance Gibson Jr.
9-1

I’m a sucker for compelling MMA storylines, and a second-generation fighter in the UFC hits the mark. Enter Lance Gibson Jr.

His father, Lance Gibson Sr., fought twice in the UFC. At UFC 24, he knocked out Jermaine Andre, and later faced the late former middleweight champion Evan Tanner.

Gibson Jr. is an electrifying fighter and former Bellator standout, posting a 5-1 record with three finishes in the promotion.

The 30-year-old boasts six first-round finishes across his career, showcasing excitement and growth. He’s a natural fit for any UFC Canada card as a dual Canadian-American representative.

Gibson Jr. delivered a stellar promo to secure a UFC contract for the Seattle event but was ultimately overlooked in favor of free agent Austin Vanderford.

Honorable mentions:

Norbert Novenyi Jr. (8-1)

Emiliano Sordi (25-13-1)

Bruno Cappelozza (15-7)

Ray Cooper III (25-11-1)

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