The UFC roster is bigger than ever – and it continues to expand.
Fresh faces appear on nearly every card, whether onboarded as short-notice opening fillers, “Dana White’s Contender Series” signees, or rare straight-up additions. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of the hustle and bustle of the mixed martial arts news beat, but here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got you covered.
“Fresh Ink” is your list of fighters added to the UFC roster the previous month and provides background on who they are and where they came from.
Check out the August 2023 list below.
Cesar Almeida
Record when signed: 4-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Middleweight
Age: 35
Debut: Nov. 18 vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas
Cesar Almeida impressed Dana White enough to earn a contract in the season premiere of DWCS. A former Glory kickboxer, Almeida showed a well-rounded attack and even some grappling prowess as he grinded out a decision over fellow top Brazilian prospect Lucas Fernando. White admitted Almeida’s signing as a 35-year-old was a rarity, which speaks to the confidence the promotion has in a pro kickboxing veteran of 57 matches.
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady
Record when signed: 15-3
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Lightweight
Age: 28
Debut: TBA
The latest member of Fortis MMA to join the UFC, Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady pulled off what many considered to be a big upset on DWCS when he soundly defeated Cage Warriors champion George Hardwick to earn a unanimous decision nod and a UFC deal. Perhaps overlooked by fans and experts alike ahead of his DWCS appearance, Al-Selwady boasts a resume that includes a Brave CF title reign and LFA and Fury FC appearances. Al-Selwady told MMA Junkie after the UFC contract-earning win that he wants to debut at UFC 294 in October.
Hyder Amil
Record when signed: 8-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Featherweight
Age: 33
Debut: TBA
A protege of the Diaz Brothers and training under Gilbert Melendez, Hyder Amil entered DWCS off a big knockout win for LFA. The win was his fifth finish in seven appearances. To earn a UFC contract, however, Amil needed all three rounds as he defeated Emrah Sonmez by unanimous decision. After the fight, Dana White praised Amil’s grittiness and heart.
Ibo Aslan
Record when signed: 12-1
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Age: 27
Debut: TBA
Ibo Aslan had been on the UFC radar for some time when he finally stepped in the cage for a DWCS fight Aug. 15. The Turkish fighter proved to be worth the wait as he quickly demolished Paulo Renato Jr. for a first-round TKO. The victory maintained his 100 percent TKO/knockout rate. His only career loss came against UFC light heavyweight Anton Turkalj in 2020 under the Brave CF banner.
Kevin Borjas
Record when signed: 9-1
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Flyweight
Age: 25
Debut: Nov. 11 vs. Joshua Van (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 295 in New York
The next in a long line of Peruvians waiting to make the UFC jump, Kevin Borjas showed fantastic cardio and heart during his DWCS win over Titan FC champion Victor Dias. After being smothered in Round 1, Borjas slowly turned the tables as he outworked Dias en route to a unanimous decision.
Robert Bryczek
Record when signed: 17-5
Signing type: Short notice
Weight class: Middleweight
Age: 33
Debut: Sept. 23 vs. Jacob Malkoun (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas
Poland’s Robert Bryczek was all set and lined up for a title fight in rising European promotion OKTAGON – until he wasn’t. Following the promotion’s announcement of an impending title fight for him, Bryczek instead chose to sign with the UFC for a short notice opportunity. Replacing Aliaskhab Khizriev, Bryczek enters the UFC on a five-fighting winning streak – all by first-round knockout.
Dennis Buzukja
Record when signed: 11-2
Signing type: Short notice
Weight class: Featherweight
Age: 25
Debut: Aug. 5 loss to Sean Woodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville, Tenn.
Since his DWCS win in 2022, Dennis Buzukja was on the tip of the UFC’s tongue. The call eventually came for the Longo Weidman product, as Buzukja stepped into his first promotional bout opposite the tricky and lanky Sean Woodson. While Buzukja missed weight for the fight and ultimately lost by unanimous decision, he showed durability and was one-half of an entertaining featherweight bout. The loss snapped a seven-fight winning streak.
Morgan Charriere
Record when signed: 18-9-1
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Featherweight
Age: 27
Debut: Saturday vs. Manolo Zecchini (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 226 in Paris
One of the most popular fighters in French MMA today, Morgan Charriere is already a star and he hasn’t even stepped foot inside the UFC cage. A former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Charriere brings the spotlight with him wherever he goes due to his accumulated popularity from the world of YouTube and gaming thanks to his association with Kamet0, a popular streamer. Charreire enters the UFC on a three-fight winning streak that came after consecutive losses to Paul Hughes and Jordan Vucenic in 2021.
Kiefer Crosbie
Record when signed: 10-3
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Welterweight
Age: 33
Debut: Sept. 9 vs. Kevin Jousset (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC 293 in Sydney
To those who watch all major MMA organizations and not just the UFC, the name Kiefer Crosbie should ring a bell. A brash Irish fighter who talked the talk, Crosbie competed seven times for Bellator from 2018-2021 and posted a 4-3 promotional record. Following his release in 2021 after back-to-back losses, Crosbie won fights against Brian Lo-A-Njoe and UFC alumni Alex Oliveira to earn a call from the UFC.
Felipe Dos Santos
Record when signed: 7-0
Signing type: Short notice
Weight class: Flyweight
Age: 22
Debut: Sept. 9 vs. Manel Kape (18-9 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC 293 in Sydney
It’s been a rollercoaster few weeks for LFA flyweight standout Felipe Dos Santos. Seemingly a victim of bad luck when his DWCS opponent was ruled out on weigh-ins day, Dos Santos almost immediately thereafter was offered a straight-into-the-big-show opening vs. top contender Manel Kape. For his first UFC fight, the 22-year-old finds himself on the main card of a pay-per-view across the world. Will the 22-year-old Brazilian keep his unblemished record in tact or suffer his first defeat? Stay tuned.
Oban Elliott
Record when signed: 9-2
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class:
Age: 25
Debut: TBA
The self-proclaimed “obnoxious, cross-eyed goofball,” has arrived in the UFC – and it wasn’t easy. Oban Elliott made the most of his DWCS opportunity when he battled Kaiko Brito in a wild, back-and-forth battle. When the dust settled, Elliott won a majority decision for his fifth consecutive victory. Prior to his DWCS win, Elliott had only competed under the Cage Warriors banner where he finished five of his 10 bouts.
Cody Gibson
Record when signed: 19-8
Signing type: TUF
Weight class: Bantamweight
Age: 35
Return: Aug. 19 loss to Brad Katona via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 292 in Boston
Cody Gibson was one of four UFC alumni from “The Ultimate Fighter 31” to get a crack on the UFC prelims thereafter. One of two bantamweight semifinalists, Gibson returned to the promotion’s cage eight-and-a-half years after his previous promotional appearance a UFC Fight Night 61 in 2015. While he came up short in a unanimous decision loss to Brad Katona, the bout earned Fight of the Night honors – and Gibson another shot in the promotion, according to UFC president Dana White.
Charalampos Grigoriou
Record when signed: 8-3
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Bantamweight
Age: 31
Debut: TBA
Another member of Longo Weidman MMA, Charalampos Grigoriou only needed one minute to punch his way to a UFC contract. On DWCS, Grigoriou floored and finished Fury FC bantamweight champion Cameron Smotherman to impress the UFC brass. Prior to his UFC entry, Grigoriou was the champion for rising New England-based promotion Combat FC, promoted by longtime Dana White pal Joe Cavallaro.
Kurt Holobaugh
Record when signed: 19-7
Signing type: TUF
Weight class:
Age: 36
Return: Aug. 19 win over Austin Hubbard via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:39 at UFC 292 in Boston
It’s hard enough to make it to the UFC once, never mind twice. Well, Kurt Holobaugh has embarked on a rare third UFC stint. Following a comeback submission over Lee Hammond and a brutal beatdown of Jason Knight, Holobaugh fought Austin Hubbard in the TUF 31 lightweight final. He defeated Hubbard with a slick armbar-to-triangle submission. The win marked his third consecutive pro victory and his 17th career finish.
Austin Hubbard
Record when signed:
Signing type: TUF
Weight class: Lightweight
Age: 31
Return: Aug. 19 loss to Kurt Holobaugh via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:39 at UFC 292 in Boston
The flip side of the equation, Austin Hubbard came up short in his UFC return bout when he was submitted in the TUF 31 lightweight final by Kurt Holobaugh. While it’s unclear if the promotion plans to keep him as they intend to do with Cody Gibson, his promotional record sits at 3-5. A former LFA lightweight champion, Hubbard holds career wins over Dakota Bush, Julian Lane, Max Rohskopf, and Killys Mota among others.
Kevin Jousset
Record when signed: 8-2
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Welterweight
Age: 30
Debut: Sept. 9 vs. Kiefer Crosbie (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC 293 in Sydney
France’s Kevin Jousset made a name for himself halfway across the globe. Since his amateur debut in 2018, Jousset made a name for himself on the MMA scene in Australia, eventually training at City Kickboxing under Eugene Bareman. Although he suffered a pair of losses as a pro along the way, Jousset continued to move forward and eventually attracted the eyeballs of the UFC brass when he attained double champ status for top regional promotion Hex Fight Series.
Brad Katona
Record when signed: 12-2
Signing type: TUF
Weight class: Bantamweight
Age: 31
Return: Aug. 19 win over Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 292 in Boston
Brad Katona may have gotten under the skin of many of his TUF 31 housemates, but he proved be the best bantamweight of the bunch, too. At UFC 292, Katana topped off a successful TUF championship run to become the first two-time season winner in series history. A back-and-forth war won over Cody Gibson was the third victory during his bracket run. On the show, Katona defeated Carlos Vera by unanimous decision and Timur Valiev by split decision.
Josefine Knutsson
Record when signed: 6-0
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Strawweight
Age: 27
Debut: Sept. 16 vs. Iasmin Lucindo (15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at Noche UFC in Las Vegas
It only took the UFC seven days to change their minds on bringing Josefine Knutsson on board. After Knutsson defeated Isis Verbeek on DWCS, she was initially passed over by Dana White. However, exactly one week later, it was announced the promotion elected to sign her for a short-notice fight at the Noche UFC card. Knutsson, who trains out of Allstars Gym in Sweden, has yet to lose in her professional MMA career.
Caio Machado
Record when signed: 8-1-1
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Heavyweight
Age: 29
Debut: TBA
Visa issues prevented Canada’s top heavyweight from appearing on DWCS in 2022. But in 2023, Caio Machado finally seized his opportunity when he defeated Kevin Szaflarski on DWCS to earn a UFC deal. Although he needed all three rounds to win that fight, Machado seldom utilized the judges during his journey to that point. Six of his seven wins prior came inside the distance.
Eduarda Moura
Record when signed: 9-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Strawweight
Age: 29
Debut: TBA
Nicknamed “Ronda” for her perceived resemblance to Rousey, Eduarda Moura showed submission prowess in her UFC contract-earning performance on DWCS when she submitted Janaina Silva in exactly four minutes. The win was her fifth career submission in nine outings. Moura trains at Galpao de Luta, the gym that has produced top heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.
Tom Nolan
Record when signed: 6-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Lightweight
Age: 23
Debut: TBA
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the ongoing DWCS season to date belongs to Tom Nolan. After opponent Bogdan Grad tried in the bout’s lead-up to get under his skin, Nolan won the fight quickly with a violent knockout. At 6’3″, Nolan is a massive lightweight. His four most recent wins have been by stoppage due to strikes, which makes sense considering he trains under Australia muay thai star Elliot Compton.
Bolaji Oki
Record when signed: 8-1
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Lightweight
Age: 27
Debut: TBA
Representing Belgium, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, Bolaji Oki has fans around the world. He likely picked up even more during his DWCS performance when he quickly put down and out former kickboxing standout Dylan Salvador. The first-round TKO earned him a UFC contract and praise from Dana White. Oki has not lost since his pro debut in March 2018 and has since picked up six finishes in eight appearances.
Ravena Oliveira
Record when signed: 7-1-1
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Bantamweight
Age: 26
Debut: TBA
Ravena Oliveira, also known as Ravena Kenoudy, is yet another female fighter signed in a string of recent onboardings. While not much fight tape exists on the 26-year-old Brazilian, she has a 100 percent finishing rate including six knockouts and one submission.
Luis Pajuelo
Record when signed: 8-1
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Featherweight
Age: 28
Debut: TBA
Fusion FC standout Luis Pajuelo dominated Robbie Ring to earn a UFC deal on DWCS this summer. Once the fight hit the canvas, Pajuelo drilled Ring with knees to the body and ground-and-pound until the referee jumped in. The stoppage was his seventh career TKO and now his sights are set on climbing toward UFC gold.
Thomas Petersen
Record when signed: 8-1
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Heavyweight
Age: 28
Debut: TBA
The UFC is always in need of big men – so at 28, Thomas Petersen was a perfect match. On DWCS, Petersen dominated “TUF 30” alum Chandler Cole in the striking department before taking the fight down for a submission win. It was the first submission victory of his career but nicely complimented the eight career knockouts he has on his resume. Petersen’s only career loss was to current UFC heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta in April 2022. It was an LFA title fight.
Carlos Prates
Record when signed: 17-6
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Welterweight
Age: 30
Debut: TBA
Striking fanatics rejoice. Carlos Prates has arrived in the UFC. During his DWCS win over Mitch Ramirez, Prates put an absolute clinic as he hunted and battered Ramirez and jumped in and out of range. One of the most experienced fighters on the current DWCS, Prates is battled tested – and his highlight reel proves it. Twelve of his 17 wins have come by knockout and he currently rides a seven-fight winning streak.
Landon Quinones
Record when signed:
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Lightweight
Age: 27
Debut: Sept. 9 vs. Nasrat Haqparast (14-5 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) at UFC 293 in Sydney
The first non-finalist from “TUF 31” to be signed by the UFC, Landon Quinones most recently competed in an exhibition bout vs. UFC alum Jason Knight on the show. Quinones was quickly submitted. In professional competition, however, Quinones has proven to be a difficult out. The Titan FC lightweight champion, Quinones has six career finishes. His lone pro loss came against current UFC fighter Muhammad Naimov by split decision in 2019.
Zach Reese
Record when signed: 6-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Middleweight
Age: 29
Debut: TBA
On DWCS, Zach Reese earned his UFC contract with a 74-second armbar win over Eli Aronov. The victory was only his second career submission but Reese maintained his 100 percent finishing rate and unblemished record. Prior to DWCS, Reese competed exclusively for top Texas-based promotions Fury FC and Peak Fighting.
Payton Talbott
Record when signed: 6-0
Signing type: DWCS
Weight class: Bantamweight
Age: 24
Debut: Nov. 18 vs. Nick Aguirre (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas
The Sean O’Malley and Alex Caceres comparisons were broken out when Payton Talbott earned his UFC contract with a win over Junior Cortez on DWCS. While those comparisons could be attributed to the generous helping of hair on his head, Talbott flows, moves, and strikes similarly, too. Prior to his DWCS opportunity, Talbott was Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat bantamweight champion. The DWCS fight was the only one of his career that he did not win by knockout.
Manolo Zecchini
Record when signed: 11-3
Signing type: Straight up
Weight class: Featherweight
Age: 26
Debut: Saturday vs. Morgan Charriere (18-9-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 226 in Paris
Italy’s Manolo Zecchini went 4-1 in the five bouts leading to his UFC signing. One of Italy’s top pound-for-pound fighters, Zecchini competed for notable promotions Venator FC and Cage Warriors among others on his rise up the ladder. In 11 pro wins, Zecchini has nine knockouts, one submission, and one decision.
