PFL Africa MMA fighting in Cape Town, South Africa Dakota Ditcheva from the United Kingdom ahead of her fight against Sumiko Inaba from the US in the WomenÕs Flyweight Champions Series fight in the inaugural Professional Fighters League PFL Africa event in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 19, 2025. Cape Town South Africa Copyright: xMatrixxImagesx/xNicxBothmax
The UFC is the pinnacle of the sport for every fighter when they get into mixed martial arts. We are going to look at the top 5 fighters outside of the UFC at the moment.
To make this list, they have to, of course, be in form. They also have to be captivating. It isn’t enough to have won a few fights; they have to impress in these fights.
For this, it doesn’t matter if they have already been in the UFC, they can still make our list of the top 5 fighters outside of the UFC.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look.
Top 5 Fighters Outside of the UFC
1 – Dakota Ditcheva
This one won’t come as a surprise for anyone. Dakota Ditcheva is not only one of the best fighters outside of the UFC, but potentially the best flyweight on the planet. The PFL’s 2024 flyweight tournament champion is still undefeated at 15-0, with an impressive 13 finishes.
What makes Ditcheva so exciting is that she’s constantly searching for the finish, very critical of her own performances, got skills on the mic and most importantly, is marketable.
PFL Africa MMA fighting in Cape Town, South Africa Dakota Ditcheva from the United Kingdom on her way to defeating Sumiko Inaba from the US not pictured during the WomenÕs Flyweight Champions Series fight in the inaugural Professional Fighters League PFL Africa event in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 19, 2025. Cape Town South Africa Copyright: xMatrixxImagesx/xNicxBothmax
Despite recently securing a new deal with the PFL, it would be more surprising not to see Ditcheva in the UFC one day. We hope so, anyway.
2 – Muhammad Mokaev
A name recognisable to UFC fans, Muhammad Mokaev, makes our list of the top 5 fighters outside of the UFC. The undefeated flyweight is 14-0 and went 7-0 in the UFC during his first stint with the company, defeating names including Tim Elliott, Alex Perez and Manel Kape.
He was cut from the UFC by Dana White for being difficult to work with.
Muhammad Mokaev of England & UFC President Dana White during the UFC London Ceremonial weigh-ins at the O2, London, England on the 18 March 2022. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xAndyxRowlandx PMI-4841-0025
Since being cut, he’s impressed going 2-0, as well as going 1-0 in Karate Combat. He’s also set to compete for the vacant BRAVE CF flyweight belt at BRAVE CF 100 in November. With another win here, as well as a weak flyweight division in the UFC, Mokaev could be in the UFC again sooner rather than later.
3 – Larissa Pacheco
The newest addition to our top 5 fighters outside of the UFC list is Larissa Pacheco. Having already had a two-fight stint in the UFC, Pacheco could see a return sooner rather than later. She’s recently been cut from the PFL, despite being a two time tournament champion, as well as being the first person to hand Kayla Harrison a professional loss.
Although she went 0-2 in her first UFC stint, she’s improved massively since. She’s 10-1 in her last 11, although she did lose her last outing to Cris Cyborg, her stock hasn’t dropped too much.
With heavy hands and a history with the champ, Harrison, the UFC should go all out for her signature.
November 25, 2022, New York, NY, New York, NY, United States: NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: L-R Larissa Pacheco battles Kayla Harrison during the 2022 PFL Championship at the Hulu Theatre inside Madison Square Garden in NYC. November 23, 2022 in New York, NY, United States. New York, NY United States – ZUMAp175 20221125_zsa_p175_102 Copyright: xMattxDaviesx
4 – Vadim Nemkov
This one is a bit of a tap in. Vadim Nemkov is one of the best fighters on the PFL roster with an incredible record of 18-2-0-1 and hasn’t lost since 2016. He’s fought a whos who of Bellator/PFL talent, with names like Phil Davis, Corey Anderson, Yoel Romero and Bruno Cappelozza on his record.
Since moving up to heavyweight, he’s looked like a force to be reckoned with, going 2-0 thusfar. At just 33, he’s still young for a heavyweight. The Russian is scheduled to clash with Renan Ferreira in December for the vacant PFL heavyweight title and if all goes to plan for the Fedor prodigy, the UFC could come calling.
The UFC has a notoriously weak heavyweight division and Nemkov could be a breath of fresh air to a stale division.
5 – Khasan Magomedsharipov
It’s time to get the name ‘Magomedsharipov’ back in the UFC. The younger brother of former UFC featherweight star, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Khasan is a phenom. At 10-0, the 25 year old is looking just as good as his brother before him.
With seven finishes in 10 fights, Magomedsharipov has a range of different ways to end a fight, including a twister on his record. Although he’s currently signed to the PFL and scheduled to compete in December, the family name knows just how good the UFC can be.
If the UFC want an interesting story, captivating style and new blood at 145, sign Magomedsharipov!
Perfect example of being in the zone by Khasan Magomedsharipov
He returns on Saturday, December 13th as the PFL returns to Lyon, France! #PFLLyon | Sat Dec 13th | LDLC Arena, Lyon
🎟️ ON SALE NOW! https://t.co/ZehUv3rDRN pic.twitter.com/pUlSZ40r3j
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 11, 2025
Honourable Mentions
Phil de Fries
28-6 record, current KSW heavyweight champion, enjoying a 16 fight winning run
Previous UFC record = 2-3
What’s going against him? 39 years old
Usman Nurmagomedov
20-0-0-1 record, current PFL lightweight champion
What’s going against him? PFL’s biggest star, it’s going to cost a lot to get him out of the promotion
Aleksandr Maslov
12-1 record, heavyweight with heavy hands (nine knockouts)
What’s going against him? Questionable opposition
Lucia Szabova
10-0, Oktagon women’s bantamweight champion, seven finishes
What’s going against her? Nothing