FightMatrix’s Current MMA Rankings are built to surface talent globally, regardless of promotion size, geography, or hype. With thousands of active fighters tracked and ranked weekly through the CIRRS system, the data often reveals elite prospects long before they become widely known.

This article highlights the 20 highest-ranked professional MMA fighters in the world under the age of 20, based on the latest FightMatrix rankings. Each athlete listed here is already ranked globally and within their division, reflecting real competitive results — not projection.

#1 – Kyoma Akimoto

BACKGROUND AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Kyoma Akimoto’s athletic foundation predates his MMA career. During his kindergarten years, he attended a boxing gym, developing early familiarity with striking mechanics. He later played soccer for eight years through the end of middle school, building endurance, footwork, and competitive discipline. His interest in mixed martial arts emerged during junior high after watching RIZIN events, which became a decisive influence on his career path.

Despite having already been accepted into high school, Akimoto chose not to enroll, opting instead to pursue MMA full-time at just 15 years old — a decision made against his parents’ wishes. His entry into the sport came organically: a friend of a friend joined Paraestra Kashiwa, and Akimoto followed. This unconventional but committed start set the tone for a career defined by early responsibility and long-term focus.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND RESULTS
Akimoto made his professional debut on June 26, 2022, at GLADIATOR 018, earning a unanimous decision victory. In 2023, he went 3-0 in DEEP, rapidly building momentum and publicly expressing his desire to compete in RIZIN. That ambition materialized the following year as he transitioned fully into the national spotlight.

To date, Akimoto has compiled 12 professional bouts before the age of 20, including a 9-1-0 “Big League” record and a 5-1 mark inside RIZIN. His résumé reflects consistent placement against credible opposition rather than selective matchmaking, positioning him as one of the most experienced teenage fighters currently tracked in the global rankings.

FINISHING METRICS AND EFFICIENCY
From a statistical standpoint, Akimoto’s profile reflects both effectiveness and balance. He holds a 72.7% win finish rate, with victories spread across knockouts, submissions, and decisions. Within RIZIN specifically, he has secured two knockouts and one submission, demonstrating finishing capability without overreliance on a single method.

His quality performance rate of 66.7% and 540 Opponent Metric of .595 indicate sustained competitiveness against meaningful opposition. These metrics suggest ranking stability driven by consistency rather than isolated peak performances.

KEY CAREER MOMENTS
Akimoto formally announced his move to Japan Top Team on March 25, 2024, a pivotal step that aligned his development with one of Japan’s premier training environments. Shortly thereafter, on May 17, 2024, he defeated Alan “Hiro” Yamaninha by second-round TKO via ground-and-pound, using his post-fight interview to explicitly call for RIZIN opportunities.

His RIZIN debut came in September 2024, where he earned his fifth consecutive professional win at just 18 years old. Facing the popular and aggressive Kintaro, Akimoto delivered a statement performance, stopping him with a ground knee TKO at 3:16 of the first round. In his sophomore RIZIN appearance, he followed up with a composed victory over Hiroaki Suzuki, further validating his place on the roster.

His first professional loss came on New Year’s Eve in a title elimination bout, where 🇯🇵 Yuki Motoya denied him the opportunity to become the youngest champion in RIZIN history. Rather than stalling his momentum, the setback served as a recalibration point. Akimoto rebounded with a unanimous decision win over 🇯🇵 Ryo Takagi at RIZIN Otoko Matsuri in May, firmly establishing himself as a legitimate featherweight contender.

At Super RIZIN 4, he was originally scheduled to face top contender Karshyga Dautbek. After Dautbek withdrew due to injury, Akimoto instead faced 🇯🇵 Koki Akada and secured a first-round rear-naked choke submission, maintaining his upward trajectory despite the late opponent change.

TRAINING ENVIRONMENT AND PREPARATION
Now fully embedded at Japan Top Team, Akimoto benefits from a structured, elite training environment emphasizing completeness and durability. His performances reflect disciplined preparation, efficient energy management, and adaptability across rule sets and opponent styles. The transition to JTT coincided with a noticeable uptick in composure and finishing confidence.

MENTALITY AND AMBITION
Akimoto’s career decisions point to a calculated and forward-looking mentality. He has consistently sought meaningful competition, accepted stylistically difficult matchups, and remained active at a young age without excessive risk exposure. Publicly, he has stated clear goals: becoming RIZIN’s first-ever teenage champion and eventually achieving double-champion status.

TRAJECTORY AND PROJECTION
Within FightMatrix’s objective framework, Kyoma Akimoto represents a rare combination of volume, youth, and ranking stability. As the #9 ranked featherweight contender in RIZIN and a globally ranked athlete at just 19 years old, his ceiling remains well ahead of his current output. Continued success against top-10 domestic contenders would place him squarely on a championship trajectory.

Rather than a volatile prospect driven by highlight finishes, Akimoto profiles as a high-floor, long-term contender whose development curve is already ahead of schedule. His data-supported consistency makes him one of the most reliable and instructive case studies in the entire 20 Under 20 project.

#2 – Adriano Lima “Imperador” Sousa

Background and early development
Adriano Lima Sousa, known by the nickname “Imperador,” is the youngest fighter featured in FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20 and one of the most precocious talents currently tracked by the CIRRS system. Born and raised in Manaus, Amazonas, Sousa began training at age seven through a local social project. He initially focused on jiu-jitsu before expanding into judo, where he competed successfully at the school level. With strong family support, he later committed fully to MMA, leaving formal schooling in his early teens to train full-time.

Professional experience and results
Sousa turned professional in December 2023 and has compiled a perfect 7-0 record before the age of 19. His early career has been built primarily under the Future MMA banner in Brazil, where he has progressed rapidly from undercard bouts to main events. Five of his seven professional wins came in the first round, and all but one were finished inside the opening frame.

Finishing metrics and efficiency
Sousa holds a 100% win-by-finish rate. Six of his seven victories have come via submission, with one knockout finish. His quality performance percentage sits at 71.4%, and his FightMatrix 540 Opponent Metric (.556) reflects steady opposition depth for a teenage prospect. His finishing résumé includes rear-naked chokes, triangle chokes, armbar variations, and a neck crank, demonstrating a broad submission arsenal rather than reliance on a single pathway.

Key career moments
Brazilian outlet PrimeiroRound identified Sousa as a national breakout prospect following his April 2025 submission win over Anthony Davi Kuakoski at Future MMA 14, a bout that moved him to 5-0. That performance triggered widespread comparisons to Raul Rosas Jr., driven by Sousa’s age, activity level, and finishing consistency. Sousa reinforced that momentum by headlining Future MMA 15 and submitting Ederson Santiago with a first-round triangle choke, showing composure under five-round main event conditions.

Training environment and preparation
Sousa trains out of Blacks MMA and maintains an unusually disciplined schedule for his age, reportedly training up to three times per day. His background in both jiu-jitsu and judo is evident in his ability to initiate takedowns, control scrambles, and transition quickly to submissions. His grappling-first foundation remains the defining feature of his competitive identity.

Mentality and ambition
Sousa has openly cited Raul Rosas Jr. as both inspiration and benchmark, stating his ambition to reach the UFC at an even younger age and with stronger credentials. He has also referenced Cristiano Ronaldo and Conor McGregor as influences, particularly in terms of mindset, confidence, and handling pressure. Despite his age, Sousa has shown comfort in main-event settings and an eagerness to embrace expectations rather than avoid them.

Trajectory and projection
While Sousa has not yet competed in a FightMatrix-defined “Big League” bout, his trajectory is already placing upward pressure on the global flyweight rankings. At a combat age of 17, he is already ranked internationally and remains undefeated with perfect finishing efficiency. The next phase of his development will hinge on opponent quality escalation, but within FightMatrix’s objective framework, Adriano “Imperador” Sousa has already moved beyond pure projection and into the category of verified elite youth prospects.

#3 – Ye Jun Pyeon

Career context:
Ye Jun Pyeon is one of the youngest ranked fighters in the FightMatrix database and a rare example of a teenage prospect tested almost exclusively at elite domestic level from the outset of his professional career. Competing under the Road FC banner, Pyeon turned professional at just 16 years old and has already accumulated experience that far exceeds what is typical for fighters his age. Rather than being eased into competition, he has consistently faced ranked and championship-level opposition.

FightMatrix metrics snapshot:
Despite a modest 3-2 record, Pyeon carries a 66.7% win finish rate, an 80% quality performance rate, and a 540 Opponent Metric of .654. That opponent metric is among the highest in the entire 20 Under 20 cohort and reflects repeated bouts against experienced, ranked fighters rather than favorable developmental matchmaking. His ranking relevance is driven by opponent strength and competitive performance, not volume.

Title fights and losses:
Both of Pyeon’s professional losses came against Jung Hyun Lee, the reigning Road FC flyweight champion. Their first meeting at Road FC 71 ended in a unanimous decision loss, but his competitiveness earned him a rematch less than a year later. At Road FC 74, Pyeon challenged for the flyweight title in what would have made him the youngest champion in Road FC history. He ultimately lost by majority decision, but the bout further established him as a legitimate contender rather than a developmental project. In that title fight, Pyeon suffered a broken left hand early, adjusted tactically, and remained competitive across three rounds.

Key wins and development:
Pyeon’s victories show clear finishing upside. He scored a second-round KO over Shin Woo Lee, a third-round TKO over Joon Gun Cho, and a unanimous decision win over Ryuhei Sakai in his professional debut. The stoppage win over Cho highlighted improved pressure striking and late-fight composure, while the Sakai bout demonstrated early fight IQ and pacing.

Style and martial arts background:
Pyeon is a mobile striker built around footwork, kicking volume, and angular movement. His background includes a 4th-dan black belt in hapkido, a 4th-degree rank in taekwondo, and a 1st-dan in judo. These credentials show clearly in his balance, scrambling ability, and comfort in transitional exchanges. He began training in childhood under his father’s influence and has represented South Korea in youth-level MMA competition.

Recognition and trajectory:
Road FC awarded Pyeon the 2025 Rookie of the Year, reflecting both his activity and the caliber of opposition he faced. Korean MMA media consistently frames him as a long-term elite prospect, emphasizing his composure under pressure and rapid development curve.

20 Under 20 assessment:
Within FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20 project, Ye Jun Pyeon represents an accelerated development model. Early exposure to elite competition has already produced a ranking-relevant profile even in defeat. At a combat age of 19, his ceiling remains far ahead of his current output, making him one of the most credible teenage flyweights in the global database.

#4 – Joon “Tyrant” Gun Cho

Background and early career
Joon Gun Cho was born in August 2006 in Incheon, South Korea, and turned professional at just 16 years old. Unlike many teenage prospects who remain within a single domestic circuit, Cho entered the professional ranks early and immediately began competing across a wide range of Asian promotions. By age 19, he had already logged fights in Road FC, ONE Championship, Angels Fighting Championship (AFC), URCC, and regional Japanese events, giving him one of the deepest competition histories among under-20 flyweights.

Professional experience and competition level
Cho has accumulated 13 professional bouts before his 20th birthday, compiling an 8–4–1 record. His résumé includes multiple “big league” appearances, reflected in a 0–2 big-league record under FightMatrix classification, primarily from ONE Championship outings. Over the past three years, he has gone 7–4–0, indicating consistent activity rather than a compressed or protected schedule.

His most recent bout came at Road FC 75 in December 2025, where he earned a second-round TKO victory over Jae Bok Jung via leg-injury stoppage. That win followed a June 2025 loss to Ye Jun Pyeon, a top-400 flyweight, placing Cho firmly within the competitive core of South Korea’s flyweight scene.

Statistical profile and metrics
From a FightMatrix standpoint, Cho presents one of the more data-rich profiles on the Under-20 list. His current divisional ranking sits at #397 Flyweight, with a career-high quarterly peak of #381 recorded in April 2025. He carries a 53.8% quality performance percentage and a 540 Opponent Metric of .543, figures that reflect steady opposition quality rather than early-career padding.

Cho’s win distribution shows balance rather than specialization. Half of his professional victories have come by decision, while the remaining wins are split between knockouts and submissions. His overall win-by-finish rate sits at 50%, a comparatively moderate figure shaped by frequent three-round fights against durable opponents rather than early stoppage-driven matchmaking.

Developmental context
Cho’s record includes losses to internationally experienced opponents such as Moises Lois Ilogon and Ismail Khan on ONE Friday Fights cards, as well as Robson Oliveira in AFC. These setbacks have contributed to ranking volatility but also accelerated his exposure to high-level competition at an unusually young age. Importantly, each loss has been followed by continued activity rather than extended layoffs, reinforcing his development-through-experience trajectory.

Trajectory
Within the framework of FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20, Joon Gun Cho represents an experience-heavy developmental model. While his ranking has fluctuated rather than climbed linearly, his early professional start, high bout count, and consistent engagement with ranked opposition distinguish him from peers who have advanced with fewer data points. At 19 years old with over a dozen professional fights, Cho remains firmly in the projection phase, with future ranking movement likely tied to opponent caliber rather than activity volume.

#5 – Hatem Ashraf

Background and early development
Hatem Ashraf is one of the youngest middleweight prospects currently tracked by FightMatrix and a rare under-20 representative from Egypt’s developing MMA scene. Born in 2005, Ashraf transitioned from amateur competition to the professional ranks in 2024 and has moved quickly through early regional opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa.

Prior to turning professional, Ashraf compiled an undefeated 4–0 amateur record between 2023 and early 2024, competing primarily under the EVO Championship banner. Those bouts included finishes via ground-and-pound and rear-naked choke, as well as a unanimous decision, providing a foundational competitive base before his pro debut.

Professional record and results
Ashraf turned professional on May 31, 2024, debuting with a second-round TKO victory over Salah ElSereb at Qadya MMA 4. He followed that with a first-round TKO of Ahmed Shaaban at Evolution Championship 104 in December 2024. His most recent bout came on August 2, 2025, at Arabian Fighters League 2, where he submitted Mostafa Abdo via first-round keylock.

Across his first three professional appearances, Ashraf holds a perfect 3–0 record with a 100% finish rate. All three wins have come inside two rounds, reflecting a pattern of early fight resolution rather than extended decision outcomes.

Metrics and rankings context
From a FightMatrix perspective, Ashraf remains in an early data phase. He carries a 33.3% quality performance percentage and a 540 Opponent Metric of .429, numbers that primarily reflect limited sample size and regional-level opposition rather than volatility. His last recorded quality performance was logged on August 2, 2025, aligning with his AFL appearance.

Ashraf entered FightMatrix’s quarterly rankings in 2025 and reached a highest recorded position of #462 Middleweight in January 2026. He currently sits at #464, with 20 rating points, placing him firmly in the projection tier of the division rather than among fully established contenders.

Amateur and supplemental credentials
In addition to MMA, Ashraf has documented competitive experience in boxing. According to publicly shared records and social media disclosures, he was the Egyptian university national boxing champion as of early 2025. While not directly reflected in FightMatrix metrics, this credential helps contextualize his early professional success and finishing efficiency.

Trajectory and projection
At just 19 years old, Hatem Ashraf is competing far ahead of the typical age curve for middleweights. His undefeated professional record, amateur foundation, and consistent finishing outcomes position him as a long-term developmental prospect rather than an immediate breakout candidate.

Within FightMatrix’s under-20 cohort, Ashraf stands out primarily due to weight class scarcity. Teenage middleweights are uncommon globally, and his presence reflects both early physical maturity and controlled matchmaking. His next phase of development will be defined by increases in opponent depth and fight duration, which will provide clearer signals regarding ceiling and sustainability.

For now, Ashraf represents a low-volume, high-efficiency profile from the MENA region — a prospect whose inclusion is driven by age-relative performance and projection rather than résumé depth, but one worth monitoring as his competition level inevitably rises.

#6 – Mehrab Mammadzada

Background and early career
Mehrab Mammadzada is a 19-year-old bantamweight prospect from Sumqayit, Azerbaijan, representing the Simral MMA Team. He turned professional in January 2024 after a short amateur run and has progressed deliberately through regional competition before earning an opportunity on the ONE Championship stage. His development aligns with Azerbaijan’s recent trend toward producing compact, efficiency-focused fighters rather than high-volume regional competitors.

Professional record and results
Mammadzada holds a perfect 3–0 professional record, with all three victories coming by finish. His debut came via first-round knockout of Uzeyir Nazarli in January 2024, followed by a first-round TKO against Tural Feyzullayev in February 2025. His most significant result to date occurred on October 31, 2025, when he submitted 🇹🇲 Shazada Ataev via rear-naked choke in Round 3 at ONE Friday Fights 131. That bout marked both his first fight outside the opening round and his first win over a ranked bantamweight opponent.

Statistical profile and metrics
From an analytical standpoint, Mammadzada stands out sharply among under-20 fighters. He carries a 100% win-by-finish rate, a 100% quality performance percentage, and an exceptionally high 540 Opponent Metric of .800. These numbers indicate that his wins have come against opponents who were performing well in their own recent cycles rather than against low-output or declining competition. While his total fight sample remains small, his efficiency metrics are among the strongest in FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20 cohort.

Ranking trajectory
Mammadzada entered FightMatrix tracking as a flyweight in early 2025 before transitioning fully to bantamweight later that year. His highest quarterly ranking (#492 Bantamweight) was recorded on January 1, 2026, following his ONE Championship appearance. He currently sits at #484 Bantamweight with 29 rating points, reflecting upward momentum rather than inactivity. His last recorded quality performance aligns directly with his October 2025 bout, reinforcing the relevance of his current ranking.

Development context
Training at Simral MMA Team places Mammadzada in one of Azerbaijan’s most productive competitive environments. He regularly works alongside established international fighters, including 🇦🇿 Tofiq Musayev, providing daily exposure to elite-level preparation standards. Unlike high-volume regional prospects, Mammadzada’s résumé is defined by selective matchmaking and consistent performance outcomes rather than record padding.

Projection
Within FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20, Mehrab Mammadzada represents a low-noise, high-efficiency prospect profile. He has not yet been tested by deep divisional depth or extended multi-round adversity, but his metrics, finishing consistency, and controlled progression suggest a fighter being developed methodically rather than rushed. As his competition level increases, Mammadzada will be a key case study in how efficiently developed Azerbaijani talent translates to sustained success on international platforms.

#7 – Alberth Bahamondes

Background and early career
Alberth Bahamondes is one of the most physically distinct teenage prospects currently tracked by FightMatrix and a notable outlier within the lightweight division due to his size, frame, and early professional exposure. Born into a combat sports family in Chile, Bahamondes is the younger brother of UFC lightweight Ignacio Bahamondes, and his professional development has been closely tied to high-level preparation from an unusually early age.

Bahamondes turned professional in May 2023 at just 14 years old, competing primarily on Chilean and Latin American regional circuits including Open Fight Latam, Empire MMA, and Fusion FC. His early career progressed rapidly, reaching a 4–0 record within his first 16 months as a professional while finishing every opponent inside the distance.

Experience and competition
FightMatrix lists Bahamondes at 6–1–0 with a 100% finish rate and a 71.4% quality performance percentage. His 540 Opponent Metric of .529 places him above the median competition level for teenage lightweights, indicating a résumé built on gradual escalation rather than padded matchmaking.

While several early opponents carried limited professional records, Bahamondes has consistently been placed in main events and title bouts at the regional level. His résumé includes ranked opposition and championship opportunities, uncommon for fighters competing before age 18.

Finishing profile and results
All six of Bahamondes’ professional victories have come by finish. His record shows four submission wins — including rear-naked chokes, guillotines, and armbars — alongside two TKO victories via doctor stoppage and opponent retirement. None of his wins have gone to decision.

His lone professional loss occurred in January 2025, when he dropped a competitive split decision to 🇵🇪 Roger Garcia at FFC 86. The bout marked the only time Bahamondes has gone the distance as a professional and served as a durability and composure test rather than a performance collapse. He rebounded later that year with a first-round rear-naked choke submission of 🇨🇱 Thiago Neves at FFC 96, registering his most recent FightMatrix quality performance.

Physical profile and divisional context
Standing approximately 188 cm (6’2”) with a reported reach near 192 cm, Bahamondes possesses frame dimensions more typical of welterweights than lightweights. This physical profile has influenced both his matchup selection and finishing patterns and has already led to scheduled competition at welterweight, including an upcoming title bout in April 2026.

Ranking trajectory
Bahamondes transitioned from featherweight tracking into the lightweight division during 2024–2025. He reached a highest quarterly ranking of #493 Lightweight in October 2025 before settling at #510 entering 2026. His current FightMatrix rating points total (32) places him among the more productive under-20 lightweights globally, particularly given the division’s depth.

Development environment and projection
Bahamondes trains under Team Bahamondes alongside his older brother Ignacio Bahamondes, a UFC veteran with multiple knockout wins. This environment provides daily exposure to elite-level preparation, professional pacing, and long-term career planning, mitigating many of the risks typically associated with early-start prospects.

Within FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20, Alberth Bahamondes represents a size-driven, infrastructure-supported prospect whose statistical profile is defined by finishing efficiency and physical tools rather than volume or résumé density. While questions remain regarding optimal weight class and long-term endurance, his early career metrics and competition placement suggest a controlled development path with clear international potential.

#8 – Muhammadkabir Nazarzoda

Background and Career Overview
Muhammadkabir Nazarzoda is one of Central Asia’s most quietly efficient teenage prospects and one of the most statistically dominant under-20 flyweights currently tracked by FightMatrix. Competing primarily across Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and the broader Eurasian regional circuit, Nazarzoda has built an undefeated professional résumé defined by early finishes and rapid progression through increasingly visible promotions.

Since turning professional at just 17 years old, Nazarzoda has compiled a 5–0 record, finishing every opponent he has defeated. His development reflects a classic Eurasian pathway: national-level competition, followed by exposure to larger regional platforms, without premature acceleration into elite opposition.

FightMatrix Metrics and Rankings
From an analytical standpoint, Nazarzoda’s profile is defined by efficiency rather than volume. He carries a 100% win-by-finish rate and a 60% quality performance percentage, figures shaped by decisive outcomes rather than extended scorecard wins. His 540 Opponent Metric (.167) is among the lowest in the 20 Under 20 pool, indicating that while his dominance has been clear, his level of opposition remains in an early developmental phase relative to peers competing in deeper domestic leagues.

Nazarzoda entered FightMatrix’s quarterly rankings in mid-2024 and reached his highest recorded position (#542 Flyweight) in January 2026. His current rating points (20) place him firmly in the early tracking tier of the global flyweight division.

Professional Competition and Key Wins
Nazarzoda’s professional experience spans multiple respected regional promotions. He recorded early knockout victories under the Tajikistan MMA Federation banner in 2023, followed by a TKO win at ACA Young Eagles 47 in 2024 — a meaningful step up given ACA’s role as a pipeline for high-level Eurasian talent.

In 2025, he continued his upward trajectory at Naiza FC, delivering one of the most visually striking finishes in his résumé: a first-round spinning back kick knockout of 🇰🇿 Kunanbay Biekejiang. He later demonstrated composure over extended rounds with a third-round triangle choke submission against 🇰🇬 Shokhrukh Ilkhamzhan Uulu, showing that his finishing ability is not limited to early bursts.

His most recent bout took place in October 2025 at UAE Warriors 64, where his fight against 🇺🇿 Bekhzod Abdurakhimov was ruled a no contest due to an accidental groin strike in the opening round. While the result did not affect his undefeated status, it marked his debut on one of the Middle East’s premier regional stages and represented his highest-profile booking to date.

Stylistic Profile
Nazarzoda’s record suggests a well-rounded finisher rather than a single-path specialist. His victories include knockouts via punches and spinning techniques, alongside submissions secured later in fights. That variety indicates comfort across multiple phases of MMA, even if detailed stylistic breakdowns remain limited due to regional broadcast availability.

Unlike some prospects whose early success is built around a single dominant skill set, Nazarzoda’s finishes point to adaptability and opportunistic awareness — traits that will become increasingly important as his level of opposition rises.

Projection and Development Outlook
Within the context of FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20, Muhammadkabir Nazarzoda represents a classic early-phase Eurasian prospect: undefeated, explosive, and still ascending the competition ladder. His profile is less about résumé depth and more about trajectory.

At 19 years old, with five professional finishes and appearances across multiple respected regional promotions, Nazarzoda stands as one of Tajikistan’s most promising young MMA talents. His next competitive step — particularly against deeper flyweight opposition — will be a key inflection point in determining how quickly his FightMatrix profile evolves from efficient prospect to internationally relevant contender.

#9 – Takehiro Nakaike

Background and early career
Takehiro Nakaike is one of Japan’s most accomplished teenage flyweight prospects and one of the youngest fighters to establish a substantial résumé within Shooto’s professional system. Born and raised in Tokyo, Nakaike developed his foundation through Paraestra Koiwa, one of Japan’s most respected MMA gyms, known for producing technically disciplined fighters rather than early hype-driven prospects.

Before transitioning fully to professional MMA, Nakaike built an elite grappling base. He is a former All-Japan No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Champion, a credential that places him well above the average developmental baseline for fighters entering MMA at his age. That background has translated directly into his early professional results.

Experience and competition
Nakaike turned professional at just 16 years old and has competed exclusively under the Shooto banner, a promotion known for depth, consistency, and structured matchmaking. Across seven professional bouts, he has compiled a 6–1 record, with all six wins coming by finish.

Unlike many teenage prospects who accumulate early wins against lightly vetted opposition, Nakaike’s fights have come within Shooto’s established flyweight ecosystem. His résumé includes multiple opponents tracked by FightMatrix, including ranked flyweights such as Zhengyong Lu (#588) and Arashi Okada (#626), indicating a level of opposition strength uncommon for fighters still under 20.

His most recent bout came on May 18, 2025, when he headlined Professional Shooto 2025 Vol. 3 in Tokyo. Elevated to the main event following late card changes, Nakaike delivered a decisive first-round TKO over Arashi Okada, marking his latest FightMatrix quality performance.

Statistical profile and metrics
FightMatrix data positions Nakaike as one of the more statistically complete teenage flyweights globally.

Record: 6–1–0
Win finish rate: 100%
Quality performance percentage: 71.4%
540 Opponent Metric: .500
Combat age: 18
Rating points: 20–22 range across 2024–2026

His 100% finish rate reflects a fighter who does not rely on decisions, while his quality performance percentage places him well above the median for under-20 flyweights. The .500 opponent metric suggests balanced competition — not padded records, but not yet elite opposition — consistent with a prospect transitioning from development to evaluation.

Ranking trajectory
Nakaike’s ranking history reflects early acceleration followed by natural stabilization. He entered the FightMatrix system in mid-2024 and quickly climbed to a peak quarterly ranking of #429 Flyweight on July 1, 2024. Since then, his position has settled into the #520–540 range entering 2026, a fluctuation driven largely by activity volume and divisional density rather than performance regression.

His sole professional loss came on November 30, 2024, when he suffered a first-round TKO defeat to Shimon Suzuki (#243 Flyweight). That setback represents the highest-ranked opponent he has faced to date and remains a valuable data point in his development curve. Notably, Nakaike rebounded immediately with three consecutive first-round finishes following that loss.

Developmental context
Nakaike represents a distinctly Japanese development model: competition-first, system-driven, and exposure-earned rather than promoted. While many teenage prospects rely on international circuits or highlight-heavy matchmaking, Nakaike’s résumé is built entirely within Shooto, emphasizing consistency, durability, and technical reliability.

At 18 years old, with elite grappling credentials, six professional finishes, and experience headlining events in one of Asia’s most respected MMA promotions, Nakaike stands out as one of the most structurally sound flyweight prospects in FightMatrix’s under-20 cohort. His long-term ceiling will be determined by how his Shooto experience translates as he encounters deeper international opposition, but his statistical foundation already places him among the most credible teenage flyweights currently tracked.

#10 – Wanderson “Borrachinha” Silva

Background and early career
Wanderson Silva is an undefeated Brazilian flyweight prospect from Santa Inês, Maranhão, who began his professional MMA career in mid-2024. Training under Team Extreme Combat, Silva transitioned from a submission-heavy amateur background into the professional ranks at 17 years old, carrying over a grappling-first foundation while emphasizing composure and control rather than early-career aggression.

Experience and competition
Since turning professional on July 20, 2024, Silva has compiled a 4–0 record across Brazilian regional promotions, primarily competing under the Extreme Show Combat banner. His professional bouts have included both multi-round decision wins and submission finishes, giving him early exposure to different fight tempos and judging environments. His most recent victory came in August 2025, when he submitted Jhonielton Alves Pinheiro via ninja choke at ESC 9.

Silva’s résumé reflects steady progression rather than accelerated matchmaking. His four professional opponents remain unranked within FightMatrix, but the consistency of outcomes and lack of setbacks suggest careful career management appropriate for his age.

Ranking trajectory and data profile
Silva entered the FightMatrix rankings in late 2025 and reached a quarterly high of #598 Flyweight on January 1, 2026. His current ranking of #541 Flyweight reflects steady upward movement rather than a sudden spike, consistent with a fighter accumulating wins without high-profile opposition. With a combat age of 19 and no losses, his ranking functions primarily as a projection indicator.

Trajectory
Within FightMatrix’s under-20 flyweight pool, Wanderson Silva represents a controlled, low-variance development case. His undefeated record, balanced outcome distribution, and high quality performance percentage suggest reliability rather than volatility. While his ceiling remains undefined due to limited opposition depth, his early consistency and ability to win across different fight types position him as a prospect whose long-term value will be determined by gradual increases in competition over the next one to two years.

#11 – Gabriel “Alemao” Amaral

Background and early career
Gabriel Amaral is one of the youngest fighters currently active in the FightMatrix system and an extreme outlier in terms of age-to-division placement. Born in February 2009 and fighting out of Colombo, Paraná, Amaral turned professional at just 15 years old under the Chute Boxe banner. Despite his youth, he has competed exclusively as a middleweight since debuting, an unusual developmental path that places him among the youngest middleweights on record at the professional level.

Experience and competition
Amaral has compiled a 5–0 professional record in a seven-month span during 2025, remaining undefeated and highly active across multiple regional Brazilian promotions. His wins have come under banners including CFS, Brazilian Cage Championship, FMS Fight Music Show, UFS, and Saikyo. All five victories occurred within the same calendar year, reflecting aggressive matchmaking and a high activity rate for a teenage prospect.

Statistically, Amaral’s résumé is compact but decisive. He owns a 100% win finish rate, with no professional bout going to decision. Four of his five wins have come via KO or TKO, with the remaining victory coming by submission. His average fight duration remains short, with four first-round finishes and one second-round stoppage, limiting exposure to extended-round variables.

Finishing ability and metrics
Amaral’s FightMatrix metrics emphasize efficiency over opponent depth. His quality performance percentage currently sits at 40.0%, a reflection of unranked opposition rather than outcome volatility. The 540 Opponent Metric (.000) indicates that none of his professional opponents were established within the rankings at the time of competition, which is typical for fighters debuting at his age.

His ranking trajectory reflects early system entry rather than divisional standing. As of January 1, 2026, Amaral is ranked #554 at middleweight, with his highest quarterly placement recorded as #570. His combat age is listed at 16, making him one of the youngest ranked fighters across all divisions.

Notable results
Among Amaral’s five wins, the most prominent occurred on August 2, 2025, when he knocked out João Victor via flying switch kick in the first round at FMS Fight Music Show: Fight Night 6. That finish circulated widely on regional highlight feeds and remains his most visually notable stoppage. He followed with a second-round doctor stoppage against Leonardo Medeiros and capped his year with a first-round TKO of Daniel Oliveira at Saikyo 2 in October 2025.

Trajectory
From a data-driven perspective, Amaral remains a projection-based prospect rather than a validated contender. His undefeated record, 100% finish rate, and unusually young age create a statistical profile that stands out even within youth-focused prospect pools. However, the lack of ranked opposition and absence of decision minutes make long-term evaluation premature.

Within FightMatrix’s under-20 cohort, Gabriel Amaral represents an extreme developmental case: a physically mature teenage finisher competing in a heavier division with rapid activity and minimal résumé insulation. His future trajectory will depend less on early results and more on controlled progression, opponent quality increases, and how his performance scales once early-round dominance is tested.

#12 – Luiz “Buakaw” Paes

Background and early career
Luiz Paes emerged from Brazil’s deep regional scene as one of the most immediately impactful teenage prospects of 2025. Training out of Team Lucas Mineiro, Paes transitioned to professional MMA at just 17 years old, bringing with him a competitive amateur background that included finishes by knockout, submission, and decision. From the outset, his game translated cleanly to the pro rule set, with no visible adjustment period in terms of pace or confidence.

Paes’ early reputation was built almost entirely on violence. Unlike many teenage prospects who are eased into professional competition, his debut came with clear intent to finish, a trend that has continued uninterrupted through his first three bouts.

Experience and competition
Paes has compiled a 3–0 professional record in under seven months of activity, all victories coming inside the opening round. His pro résumé includes appearances under the SFT Combat and Thunder Fight banners, two of Brazil’s more visible regional promotions. Despite his limited number of fights, his opposition has not been padded entirely with debutants, and his performances have consistently ended fights decisively before opponents could settle.

His most recent win, a first-round flying knee knockout of 🇧🇷 Vinicius Oliveira at Thunder Fight 53, marked his highest-profile performance to date. That bout followed an earlier first-round knockout of 🇧🇷 Paulo Silva at Thunder Fight 50 and a rear-naked choke submission win in his professional debut. Together, these results established Paes as a rare teenage finisher capable of ending fights via multiple methods.

Statistically, Paes carries a 100% finish rate, with two knockouts and one submission across three professional wins. His quality performance percentage currently sits at 66.7%, with a 540 Opponent Metric of .333, reflecting developing opposition quality consistent with an early-stage prospect climbing rapidly through regional tiers.

Finishing ability and metrics
Paes’ profile is defined by immediacy. All three professional wins have ended in Round 1, with no bout extending beyond the opening five minutes. Two of those finishes came via knockout, including a left-hand knockout and a flying knee, while his debut showcased submission ability with a rear-naked choke.

From a metrics standpoint, his FightMatrix ranking progression reflects how strongly finishes are weighted at this stage of development. Paes entered the rankings outside the top 1,100 bantamweights and climbed rapidly into the low-600s within two quarters, driven almost entirely by emphatic stoppages rather than volume wins or extended decision performances.

His rating points total of 26 already places him ahead of many peers with twice the number of professional fights, underscoring how efficiently his results have translated into measurable ranking movement.

Trajectory
At just 18 years old, Paes represents a projection-heavy prospect whose current value lies in reliability rather than depth. He has not yet been forced into extended rounds or adversity, but he has shown no hesitation in capitalizing on defensive mistakes and closing fights quickly. His upcoming bout against 🇧🇷 Jefferson Santos at Thunder Fight 56 will represent his first opportunity to face an opponent with comparable momentum, serving as an early litmus test for how his style holds against resistance.

Within a FightMatrix-style prospect evaluation, Luiz Paes fits the archetype of the early-impact finisher: a teenage bantamweight whose short-term ceiling is driven by stoppage consistency and whose long-term trajectory will depend on how he adapts once opponents survive the opening storm. Through 2026, he remains one of Brazil’s most dangerous young knockout artists to track at the regional level.

#13 – Danilo “Bambam” Marques

Background and early competition
Danilo Marques is a 19-year-old Brazilian bantamweight who entered professional MMA in mid-2023 and has already accumulated five professional bouts across Brazil’s regional circuit. Competing primarily under the Jungle Fight banner, Marques has been active against a mix of debuting fighters and opponents with established regional experience.

Professional record and activity
Marques holds a 4–1–0 professional record, with all five bouts occurring over a 25-month span. His activity rate has been consistent, averaging two to three appearances per year since turning professional — a steady workload for a teenage bantamweight navigating early development.

Win distribution and outcomes
Two of Marques’ four victories have come by knockout, with the remaining wins earned over three-round decisions. His only professional loss came via decision, indicating no stoppage defeats to date.

Strength of opposition
Marques’ competition has largely consisted of regional-level bantamweights typical for early-career development. His most recent bout against Mathias Guedes at Jungle Fight represented a step up in opposition quality compared to his earlier appearances, providing valuable rounds against a durable opponent.

Ranking progression and metrics
Marques is currently ranked #613 at bantamweight on FightMatrix. His ranking has remained relatively stable through 2024–2025, reflecting consistent results rather than sharp volatility. His Quality Performance percentage sits at 60%, and his 540 Opponent Metric is .556, indicating mid-tier regional opposition appropriate for his stage of development.

Developmental outlook
At 19 years old with five professional fights already logged, Marques’ statistical profile reflects a prospect progressing at a measured pace rather than being rushed. Continued activity against increasingly experienced opposition will determine whether his steady early results translate into upward momentum within the bantamweight rankings over the next several seasons.

#14 – Gerardo Sanchez

Background and early career
Gerardo Sanchez is a 19-year-old flyweight prospect from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, representing Dragon Legacy Gym. He turned professional in early 2025 and has competed exclusively under the LUX Fight League umbrella to date, entering the professional ranks through structured tournament formats rather than isolated matchmaking. His early career has been defined by consistency and competitive placement rather than volume.

Experience and competition
Sanchez has compiled a 3–0 professional record across a seven-month span in 2025, with all three bouts taking place in regulated LUX competition. His résumé includes participation in the inaugural Streamers Smash flyweight tournament, a single-elimination format that required multiple wins against peers in the same developmental tier. He advanced through the bracket with victories over Andrw Garcia, Johan Peña, and Zaid Varela, culminating in a tournament win at LUX 054 that earned him a promotional contract.

Metrics and performance indicators
Despite a modest finish rate of 33.3%, Sanchez’s underlying metrics are unusually strong for a teenager at this stage. He carries a 100% quality performance percentage and a perfect 1.00 540 Opponent Metric, meaning every professional opponent he has defeated was evaluated at a comparable or higher competitive baseline at the time of the bout. His current FightMatrix ranking of #635 flyweight reflects a steady upward trend rather than volatility-driven spikes.

Results breakdown
Of his three professional wins, two have come by decision and one by second-round TKO. All three bouts were completed without significant control losses or early-round collapses, indicating consistent round management. His split-decision victory over Zaid Varela in the tournament final stands as his most competitive result, coming under elevated pressure and extended exposure.

Ranking trajectory
Sanchez entered the FightMatrix flyweight rankings outside the top 700 before moving into the mid-600s by January 2026. His quarterly ranking progression shows steady improvement rather than sharp jumps, reflecting accumulation of quality wins rather than single-event momentum. With only three professional fights, his placement is notable relative to peers with similar experience levels.

Development outlook
At 19 years old with a limited but clean professional record, Sanchez profiles as a high-floor developmental prospect. His résumé lacks highlight-reel volume, but his metrics suggest efficient progression through appropriate competition tiers. As he transitions from tournament-based formats into standard professional matchmaking, his trajectory will depend on maintaining performance consistency as opponent depth increases. Within a data-driven prospect framework, Gerardo Sanchez represents a controlled, system-developed flyweight whose early success is built on competitive selection and efficiency rather than early-career attrition. His profile projects continued incremental movement through the rankings as his sample size expands through 2026.

#15 – Arthur Ventura

Background and early life
Arthur Ventura is a Brazilian bantamweight prospect from Brasília who began building his combat résumé long before turning professional. Coming up through Brazil’s amateur MMA circuit, he competed frequently across multiple promotions and rule sets, gaining experience in both grappling-heavy and mixed-format bouts. That amateur foundation allowed Ventura to transition into professional MMA in early 2025 at just 18 years old with minimal adjustment time.

Experience and competition
Ventura turned professional on March 22, 2025, and quickly established a steady fight rhythm on the Brazilian regional scene, particularly under the Jungle Fight banner. In his first seven months as a pro, he logged four professional bouts, all of which ended in victory. His schedule reflects consistent activity rather than selective matchmaking, with each fight contributing to a measurable rise in ranking and competition level.

Finishing ability and metrics
Across four professional bouts, Ventura holds a 100% finish rate. Three of his victories have come in the first round, with the remaining fight ending in round two. His wins include one knockout and three submissions, resulting in an even distribution across finishing methods. Statistically, he carries a 75% quality performance percentage and a 540 Opponent Metric of .833, indicating that his early wins have come against comparatively solid regional opposition rather than purely developmental matchups.

Notable results
Ventura’s most visible performance to date occurred on October 25, 2025, at Jungle Fight 141, where he defeated Alejandro Ribeiro via first-round flying knee knockout. That bout followed three consecutive submission wins earlier in the year, reinforcing consistency in early fight endings rather than reliance on a single standout result. His ability to finish opponents quickly has been the primary driver behind his rapid ranking movement.

Ranking trajectory
Ventura’s FightMatrix ranking progression reflects one of the sharper early climbs among Brazilian bantamweights in 2025. He entered the rankings outside the top 1,000 and rose to #646 bantamweight within two quarterly updates, including a single-quarter jump of more than 300 positions. That rise has been driven by stoppage efficiency and opponent quality rather than fight volume alone.

Trajectory
At 19 years old with a combat age of 18, Ventura’s professional résumé remains compact but efficient. He has yet to be tested over extended rounds, but his early data profile shows a young bantamweight finishing consistently and advancing rapidly through the rankings. His next phase of development will be defined by longer fights and higher-ranked opposition, making him a prospect whose trajectory remains measurable, upward, and closely tied to future matchmaking quality.

#16 – Ricardo “Ricardinho” Lemos

Background and early competition
Ricardo Lemos is an 18-year-old Brazilian flyweight who entered professional MMA after an unusually early start in amateur competition. Social media and regional records indicate that Lemos was competing in organized MMA bouts as early as 2022 in the youth 40–45 kg range, placing him among the youngest fighters in Brazil to log sanctioned amateur cage time. His combat background is rooted in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he began training at a very young age.

Professional record and activity
Lemos turned professional in early 2024 and has compiled three professional bouts before turning 19. His activity has been steady rather than rushed, with appearances spread across 2024 and 2025 on the Brazilian regional circuit. His current professional record stands at 3–0.

Win distribution and outcomes
All of Lemos’ victories have come either by submission or decision, with no recorded knockout wins. His two submission victories reinforce the grappling-heavy nature of his early results, while his decision win indicates exposure to full three-round pacing early in his career.

Strength of opposition
Lemos’ professional opponents have largely been regional-level flyweights typical for early-career development. While none were ranked inside the global top tiers at the time of competition, several had prior professional experience, giving Lemos a measured introduction to the pro ranks rather than purely debut-level opposition.

Ranking progression and metrics
Currently ranked #667 at flyweight on FightMatrix, Lemos’ position reflects limited professional volume rather than volatility. His Quality Performance percentage sits at 50%, and his 540 Opponent Metric is .571, suggesting average but legitimate opposition relative to his experience level.

Developmental outlook
At just 18 years old, with extensive amateur MMA exposure and early professional experience already logged, Lemos’ statistical profile reflects a prospect built on long-term development rather than rapid acceleration. Continued activity and incremental increases in opponent strength will determine whether his early groundwork translates into upward momentum within the flyweight rankings over the next several years.

#17 – Yamato Tanimura

Background and early competition
Yamato Tanimura is an 18-year-old Japanese flyweight who transitioned to professional MMA in early 2025 following one of the most extensive amateur careers among fighters in his age group. He began training in martial arts at an exceptionally young age and accumulated a high-volume amateur résumé prior to turning professional.

Professional record and activity
Tanimura holds a 2–0 professional record, with both wins occurring in his first four months as a pro. He debuted in February 2025 and competed again in May 2025, logging two fights within a short window under the Pancrase banner — one of Japan’s longest-running MMA organizations.

Win distribution and outcomes
Both of Tanimura’s professional victories have come by finish, giving him a 100% finish rate to date. His wins include a first-round submission in his pro debut and a second-round TKO in his most recent bout, reflecting the ability to close fights without judges’ involvement early in his career.

Amateur résumé
Prior to turning professional, Tanimura compiled an amateur record of 28–3. His accomplishments include winning the 2024 All-Japan Amateur MMA Championship (Flyweight Main Tournament), as well as multiple national and international titles across amateur MMA and hybrid combat formats. This volume of amateur competition places him well above the typical experience baseline for an 18-year-old flyweight.

Ranking progression and metrics
Tanimura is currently ranked #684 at flyweight on FightMatrix. His ranking is primarily volume-limited rather than performance-limited, as his professional résumé remains short despite extensive amateur experience. His early results have been sufficient to establish him within the global rankings after just two professional appearances.

Developmental outlook
At 18 years old, with a deep amateur background and two professional finishes already recorded, Tanimura’s statistical profile reflects a prospect entering the professional ranks with unusually high competitive seasoning. Continued activity and sustained results against ranked opposition will determine how quickly his FightMatrix position advances, but his early data points suggest a stable foundation for long-term development within the flyweight division.

#18 – Diego Agustin “El Prodigio” Oyamada

Background and early competition
Diego Agustin Oyamada is a 19-year-old Argentine flyweight who began his professional MMA career at 17 and has already accumulated seven pro bouts across Argentina’s regional circuit. Fighting out of Dragon Team, Oyamada has consistently faced opponents with established regional experience rather than purely developmental matchups.

Professional record and activity
Oyamada holds a 5–2–0 professional record, with all seven fights taking place between November 2023 and September 2025. His activity level is notable for his age, averaging roughly one fight every three to four months during his first two years as a professional.

Win distribution and outcomes
Four of Oyamada’s five victories have come by submission, all inside the first round, giving him an overall finish rate of 80%. He has also gone the distance in multiple fights, including a unanimous decision win in 2024 and a split decision loss in his most recent bout.

Strength of opposition
Oyamada’s recent schedule includes competition against higher-ranked regional flyweights. His last fight came against Mauro Gabriel Gomez, a top-500 flyweight at the time, at Samurai Fight House 24. Despite the loss, Oyamada went the full distance, gaining valuable experience against one of the stronger opponents of his career to date.

Ranking progression and metrics
Oyamada’s FightMatrix ranking peaked at #653 flyweight in mid-2025 before settling at #711 following his most recent loss. His Quality Performance percentage stands at 42.9%, paired with a strong 540 Opponent Metric of .615 — indicating that his results have come against relatively solid opposition rather than padded records.

Developmental outlook
At 19 years old, Oyamada already has meaningful experience across finishes and three-round fights, as well as exposure to higher-tier regional opposition. His statistical profile reflects a prospect still in the developmental phase but one whose early activity and strength of schedule position him well for continued progression within the flyweight division over the next several years.

#19 – Lucas Lima

Background and early competition
Lucas Lima is an 18-year-old bantamweight from Coari, Amazonas, who entered professional MMA in 2025 after building local experience on the northern Brazilian circuit. He has remained active within his home region while steadily increasing his visibility through consistent results.

Professional record and activity
Lima holds an undefeated 4–0 professional record, all achieved within his first year as a pro. He has competed regularly since his debut in April 2025, averaging one fight approximately every two to three months during his initial run.

Win distribution and outcomes
Lima has finished all four professional opponents, giving him a 100% finish rate. All victories have come inside the opening round, reflecting decisive outcomes without judges’ involvement.

Strength of opposition
His wins have come against regional-level competition typical for an early-stage prospect. While none of his opponents were ranked in the global top tiers at the time of competition, his results have been consistent and without performance regression.

Ranking progression and metrics
Lima is currently ranked #721 at bantamweight on FightMatrix. His Quality Performance percentage sits at 75%, and his 540 Opponent Metric is .500, indicating mid-level regional opposition appropriate for his experience level. His ranking trajectory remains upward due to his undefeated record and consistent finishing outcomes.

Developmental outlook
At 18 years old with four professional finishes already logged, Lima is ahead of the standard activity curve for bantamweights in his age range. Continued competition against progressively stronger opposition will determine the pace of his advancement, but his early statistical profile positions him as a developing prospect with clear momentum entering the next phase of his career.

#20 – Matheus Silva

Background and early competition
Matheus Silva is an 18-year-old Brazilian flyweight from Castanhal, Pará, who has already accumulated seven professional bouts before his 19th birthday. He turned pro in late 2023 and has competed consistently across Brazil’s regional circuit, including Shooto Brasil, Super Pitbull Combate, Salvaterra Marajó Fight, and LFA — a notable step up in platform for a fighter his age.

Professional record and activity
Silva holds a 5–2–0 professional record, with all seven fights taking place within a 23-month span. His level of activity stands out among teenage flyweights, averaging roughly one fight every three to four months during peak stretches in 2024–2025. Five of his seven bouts have gone to a finish, giving him a 60% overall finish rate.

Win distribution and outcomes
Silva has demonstrated the ability to win both inside the distance and over three rounds. His victories include finishes in rounds one through three, as well as multiple decision wins, indicating exposure to varied fight outcomes early in his career.

Strength of opposition
Silva’s recent competition has included experienced regional fighters and higher-ranked opposition. His most recent bout came against Cláudio Bento de Meireles at LFA 221, a top-300 flyweight at the time, representing the highest-caliber opponent of his career. While Silva lost via third-round TKO, the matchup marked a clear step up in competition and provided high-level experience at a young age.

Ranking progression and metrics
Silva’s FightMatrix ranking peaked at #631 flyweight in early 2025 before settling at #729 following his most recent loss. His Quality Performance percentage sits at 57.1%, with a 540 Opponent Metric of .800 — a strong indicator that his wins have come against credible regional-level opposition rather than low-resistance matchups.

Developmental outlook
At just 18 years old, Silva already has meaningful cage time across multiple promotions, including international exposure through LFA. His early-career résumé reflects a prospect who has been tested, experienced both wins and setbacks, and logged full three-round fights — a valuable foundation for long-term development as he continues to mature physically and competitively.

Weight Class Note

No fighters under the age of 20 appear in the Light Heavyweight or Heavyweight rankings. These divisions typically favor physical maturity and longer developmental timelines, making early-career ranking placement far less common than in lighter weight classes.

Closing Thought

FightMatrix’s 20 Under 20 is not just a list of future potential — it is a snapshot of current global relevance. These fighters are already ranked, already evaluated, and already part of the sport’s competitive fabric.

Some will rise quickly. Others will stall or fall out of the rankings entirely. That uncertainty is intrinsic to MMA, and the system reflects it honestly.

The next generation isn’t coming. It’s already ranked.