Here are 3 Fighters the UFC Needs to Sign in 2017

Posted: March 10, 2017

Updated: October 6, 2017

There are hundreds of fighters that could make waves in MMA’s biggest promotion, but here are a few fighters the UFC needs to sign in 2017.

The sport of MMA continues to grow around the world every single year. From Russia to Brazil, new talent is emerging, and the UFC is taking note. Of course, their roster is at a tipping point, and unless a fighter makes a serious impact in smaller shows, they’re unlikely to get a contact. Here are a few fighters the UFC needs to sign in 2017.

James Gallagher

Top 3 MMA Prospects

  • James Gallagher
  • Magomed Magomedov
  • Lowen Tynanes

Some might say Gallagher is a little green to start fighting in the UFC. His lack of experience certainly hasn’t been apparent so far in his career, as he’s a perfect 6-0 as a pro with all but one of his fights ending via stoppage.

Gallagher trains under the famed SBG Ireland banner alongside some of the top fighters in the sport including Conor McGregor and Gunnar Nelson. He was signed to Bellator MMA in April of 2016, and has rattled off two straight wins in the promotion, most recently finishing Kirill Medvedovsky with a first round submission.

It seems like James Gallagher will be staying in Bellator for at least a few more fights, but once his contract expires, he’ll be one of the top fighters the UFC needs to sign. Ireland is now one of the biggest MMA nations on the planet, and the UFC could benefit by promoting a young up and comer from the Emerald Isle.

After his aforementioned win over Kirill, Gallagher called out fellow top prospect A.J. McKee. Sports betting sites like PaddyPower haven’t released the betting odds for that prospective bout, but once it’s announced you can bet on the match.

Magomed Magomedov

The name so nice you say it twice. The Russian MMA invasion has been underway for years now, and Dagestani-based Magomed Magomedov may soon make UK gambling news by becoming the latest addition into the UFC’s bantamweight roster.

Magomed Magomedov fighting in 2015

Magomed Magomedov primarily utilizes his ground game during fights (photo: bloodyelbow.com)

Like almost all fighters from this region, Magomedov utilizes a suffocating pace and grinding style to wear his opponents down. His striking game may not be at the top level, but it’s functional enough for his style.

Magomed Magomedov joins the list of fighters the UFC needs to sign this year for a number of reasons. With a 13-1 record, he would be a tremendous addition to the UFC’s bantamweight division. Rumors of a UFC show in Russia this year are also circulating, and fighters like Magomedov are exactly who the biggest MMA promotion needs right now.

There are a number of intriguing matchups that Magomedov could take in his debut. If immediately pushing into the top 15, bouts against either Frankie Saenz or Johnny Eduardo would make sense.

Lowen Tynanes

ONE FC has been cultivating top talent for some time now. One of their top MMA prospects is undefeated Hawaiian fighter Lowen Tynanes, who is now considered by many MMA betting experts as one of the top fighters the UFC needs to sign. This lightweight fighter has been nothing short of phenomenal in his career, with a combined amateur and professional record of 13-0.

The UFC’s lightweight division has long been the most competitive in the sport. It’s always tough to gauge how a new fighter can compete in this weight class, but if his past performances were any indication, Tynanes is up to the challenge.

One of Lowen’s greatest strengths is his incredible athleticism. He’s managed to overpower all of his opponents, and his grappling prowess has led him to 4 submission victories. In his last fight against Koji Ando, Tynanes was a considerable betting favorite according to most online sportsbooks in the UK including PaddyPower.

As we mentioned before, the lightweight division is one of the strongest in MMA. There are no easy fights here, but some interesting matchups are available for this young fighter. Some potential matchups for him include James Vick, David Teymur, or Chad Laprise.

Who do you think are the fighters the UFC needs to sign in 2017? Will any of the fighters we listed join the promotion this year? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below, and make sure to check out PaddyPower for a full list of 2017 MMA betting odds!

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