Six MMA Free Agents UFC Should Sign By 2027

UFC has begun reversing years of criticism for passing on elite free agents, recently signing talent like Reinier de Ridder and Salahdine Parnasse instead of cheaper Contender Series prospects. Six more fighters deserve calls before 2027.

Former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson tops the list, according to MMA Mania. The 35-year-old went 8-2 under the Bellator banner, knocked out Yaroslav Amosov to claim the title, and remains the only fighter to beat the Ukrainian standout. Jackson recently announced his free agency and said he wants to compete in the Octagon. He followed that declaration with a 22-second knockout of Jeff Creighton at MVP MMA 1. MMA Mania notes Jackson could enter the welterweight Top 10 immediately.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series Season 10 Episode 4 on Ticketmaster →

Top Prospects Outside UFC Roster

Jackson's teammate Dilano Taylor deserves a shot after going 4-0 on the regional circuit with three first-round finishes. The 6-foot-3 fighter knocked out former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald in the first round, sending the Canadian into retirement. Taylor's three PFL losses came against Magomed Magomedkerimov, Magomed Umalatov, and former champion Sadibou Sy.

Croatian knockout artist Roberto Soldic enters free agency after his ONE Championship contract expired. The 31-year-old middleweight captured KSW titles at both welterweight and middleweight, finishing 19 of 21 career wins including 18 by knockout. Soldic knocked out Dricus Du Plessis to reclaim the KSW welterweight championship after losing their first meeting. He went 1-1 with one no contest during a frustrating four-year ONE stint that saw him compete in MMA just three times.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series Season 10 Episode 4 on Ticketmaster →

Undefeated UAE Warriors bantamweight champion Asaf Chopurov sits at 11-0 with 10 finishes. The 24-year-old Russian recently knocked out former ONE title challenger Reece McLaren in 63 seconds. Chopurov went 34-1 as an amateur and has defended his UAE Warriors belt three times. Former UFC featherweight Shane Burgos also made the list after his 1-2 PFL run. Dana White called letting Burgos leave a backstage mistake.

Jackson and Taylor train together and both campaign at welterweight. Chopurov represents the top 135-pound prospect outside the promotion. Soldic's southpaw power translates to either welterweight or middleweight. Usman Nurmagomedov was excluded from the recommendations because his signing appears imminent.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Six MMA free agents UFC should sign before the end of 2026