Azerbaijani mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Asaf Chopurov has been included in the list of fighters the UFC should sign in 2026, according to the specialized outlet Combat Press.
As reported by Idman.Biz, the Azerbaijani athlete was mentioned in an article in which the authors highlighted his high potential and consistent progress.
The article emphasizes that the 23-year-old Chopurov has made a similar shortlist for the second consecutive year, underlining his solid reputation among experts who track promising fighters on the regional scene.
The piece also pays special attention to Chopurov’s strong wrestling base and his ability to finish fights by submission, as well as his noticeable improvement in striking. His successful 2025 campaign is highlighted separately, during which the fighter went undefeated, captured the UAE Warriors championship belt, and recorded one of the key victories of his career over former EFC champion Demarte Pena. The authors describe Chopurov as one of the most promising fighters in the division and suggest that he could compete for a UFC title in the future.
The list of candidates according to Combat Press also includes:
Mitchell McKee (USA) – a dominant wrestler with a solid wrestling base and clear progress in striking, who delivered strong performances in 2025.
Rodrigo Vera (Peru) – a Peruvian prospect with good knockout and submission numbers, who competed consistently in 2025 and defeated strong opponents.
Abubakar Yunussov (France) – an undefeated French prospect with impressive submission and knockout wins and an attractive fighting style.
Jamaluddin Aliyev (Russia/Turkey) – an undefeated fighter with powerful wrestling and striking, also included among the prospects for 2026.
It should be recalled that Azerbaijan is currently represented in the UFC by three fighters: Rafael Fiziev, Nazim Sadykhov, and Tofiq Musayev. The latter has so far fought once, losing last summer in Baku; Sadykhov suffered a defeat to France’s Fares Ziam at the end of 2025; while Rafael Fiziev is now preparing for a bout against Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy. The fight will take place on February 1 in Sydney, Australia, as part of the UFC 325 event.
Teymur Tushiyev
