Fotboll
Scandinavian MMA: Up-and-coming fighters to keep an extra eye on in 2025!
Scandinavian MMA. Photo: Patrik Persson
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to turn our attention to what 2025 could bring for the thriving Scandinavian MMA scene. According to Frontkick’s Tobias Lindkvist, here are seven talents to watch closely in the coming year!
Arlind Berisha
Arlind Berisha. Photo: Patrik Persson
- MMA record: 3-0
Arlind Berisha is emerging as one of Scandinavia’s most exciting prospects. The towering Norwegian light heavyweight has not seen the second round in his three pro bouts. In fact, none of his fights has yet passed the two-minute mark.
It will definitely be interesting to see what Berisha will achieve in the year to come because it sure seems like he’s destined for big things. I would like to see him test his wings in OKTAGON MMA or Cage Warriors before 2025 is over.
Frederik Skov Strauss
Frederik Skov Strauss (left). Photo: Stefan Romare
- MMA record: 6-2
Denmark’s Frederik Skov Strauss is a red-hot fighter on the Scandinavian scene.
In his six last outings he has five wins, four via stoppage and his only two losses came against top fighters Hecher Sosa and Bilal Tipsaev. In 2025, I hope we will see the Danish featherweight competing in some of the Swedish promotions again.
Zelim Zubairaev
Zelim Zubairaev. Photo via Instagram (@fcr.mma)
- MMA record: 6-0
Zelim Zubairaev is one of the toughest prospects in the Scandinavian MMA scene!
Boasting an undefeated 6-0 record, with five victories coming by stoppage, Zubairaev could very well step up to fight in a major international organization in 2025. His most recent triumph was at MCP 14 in Greece, when he pulled off an impressive submission in the second round.
Liam Pitts
Liam Pitts. Photo: Chris Önnerby
- MMA record: 1-0
Liam Pitts might just have turned pro but in the Scandinavian MMA scene he’s already a household name. The young fighter has represented Sweden in IMMAF as well as winning and defending the amateur bantamweight title in regional promotion AFN.
Why should you keep an eye out on a prospect with just one pro fight then?
Well, for one thing, the coaches at Allstars Training Center believe that he is destined for stardom.
“Liam is the next Alexander Gustafsson. He will be in the UFC within three years. He’s still very young,” coach Mohammad Babivand said in an interview with Swedish MMA reporter Tony Nguyen.
Personally I would like to see Pitts gain as much experience as possible at the regional scene in 2025 to then move on to bigger things in 2026.
Cecilie Bolander
Cecilie Bolander. Photo: Chris Önnerby
- MMA record: 3-1
Amateur European and World Cup gold medalist Cecilie Bolander is 3-1 as a pro and will be back in the OKTAGON cage at the last card of the year.
The Norwegian former judoka put on a great fight in her promotional debut, and is now set to take on Sara Smajic on one of the most anticipated OKTAGON cards of the year.
Next year will certainly look good if Bolander gets the win on December 29!
Jon Vetle Furuheim
Jon Vetle Furuheim. Photo: Chris Önnerby
- MMA record: 8-1
Jon Vetle Furuheim is one of the most dangerous fighters coming out of Norway lately. With an impressive 8-1 pro record, seven of them coming via stoppage, the Frontline fighter seems bound for a move to the big leagues in 2025.
”A perfect 2025 would be me building my record. I’m 8-1 now and if I’m 11-1 by the end of 2025 then I should get close to the UFC,” Furuheim told Maximum Sports in a recent interview.
Baysangur Makaev
Baysangur Makaev. Photo via FCR
- MMA record: 6-1
The entertaining and talented Baysangur Makaev has slowly but steadily become one of the top featherweights in Scandinavia. After losing his pro debut he racked up six straight wins, four by stoppage.
Makaev is a product of the well-known Allstars Training Center where he spent endless hours training with some of the best MMA fighters ever coming out of the region.
“I’m not just a wrestler, I can grapple and mix things up too. I’m like a combination of Guram Kutateladze and Khamzat Chimaev,” Makaev told Frontkick.
I hope to see the talented featherweight earn a title shot in FCR early next year, paving the way for him to compete in a larger organization.
- MMA is still illegal! What’s it like to be a pro MMA fighter in Norway?
- Losene Keita exclusive: “As long as nobody can beat me I’m happy”