Rising stars: 23 Swedish fighting prospects to watch in 2023

MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ or Boxing – Sweden’s got a bunch of talented fighters to keep an eye on in 2023!

In this article we mention 23 of our most talented prospects, some well known rising stars and some hidden gems. 

Josefine Modig – MMA

In the past few years, Josefine Modig has been a menace in the European amateur scene and was scheduled to make her pro debut in December.

However, the fight fell through but hopefully we will see the 25-year-old compete as a professional fighter in the months to come.

Costas Nanga – Boxing

Costas Nanga ended his first year in professional boxing with an impeccable record of 7-0, with six wins coming by KO or TKO.

Make sure to follow the Swedish KO artist in 2023.

Nikolija Milosevic – MMA

In 2022, Nikolija Milosevic won gold medals in the World Championships, the European Championships and the Swedish Championships.

Talking to Frontkick in October, the Gothenburg fighter opened up on going pro.

”I don’t know if it will be next week, in three months or six months. I’m going to turn pro, but first I want to enjoy what I’ve accomplished,” Milosevic said.

Nicholas Bryant – Muay Thai

With a 7-1 record and a WMC European title, Nicholas Bryant is one of the most exciting Muay Thai fighters in Scandinavia at the moment.

Bartosz Wojcikiewicz – MMA

Bartosz Wojcikiewicz is 9-1 as a pro and fought the majority of his bouts in the Swedish MMA promotion Superior Challenge.

The 28-year-old has back-to-back wins against Anthony Riggio and Carlos Abreu going into the new year.

Rasmus Almström – BJJ

With success both in Sweden and abroad, Rasmus Almström is a name to remember as we’re going into 2023.

Sebastian Gonzales – MMA

In 2022, former National team member Sebastian Gonzales turned pro with a first-round submission win at Wolf Fight Promotion 4 in October.

Vanessa Romanowski – Muay Thai

Vanessa Romanowski is a highly decorated Muay Thai fighter with numerous titles to her name.

Just 18 years old, Romanowski is already a Swedish junior champion, two-time world champion, European champion and a two-time intercontinental champion.

Elwin ”Bazooka” Belezika – Boxing

The young heavyweight prospect Elwin ”Bazooka” Belezika is a boxer that you definitely will hear more about in the next few years. Just 17 years old, he’s already a five-time Swedish National Champion.

During 2022, ”Bazooka” won a bronze medal at the 2022 youth European boxing championships, and competed in the IBA youth men’s and women’s World boxing championships.

Samuel Bark – MMA

Former Muay Thai champion Samuel Bark is the most active professional MMA fighter in Sweden. Make sure not to miss ”Sammon Decker” in 2023.

Astrid Schölin – BJJ

Young BJJ prospect Astrid Schölin is a decorated athlete with massive wins in competitions both in Sweden and abroad.

In 2022, she won both gold and a silver medals at the Swedish Championships.

Baysangur Makaev – MMA

Allstars Baysangur Makaev took his first win as a pro when he defeated Paweł Szumlas via a first-round submission at FCR 14.

Vilda Ekhorn – Muay Thai

Vilda Ekhorn is a tough fighter with wins in the U23 Nordic championship as well as the Swedish championship on her resume.

On February 25, she’s scheduled to clash with Vanessa Romanowski at Sthlm Fight Night.

Robin Enontekiö – MMA

IMMAF world silver medalist Robin Enontekiö turned pro in 2022 and so far he’s undefeated with two stoppage wins on his resume.

Kevin Scott – Boxing

Kevin Scott is one of Sweden’s most promising young boxers at the moment and is for sure a fighter to keep an eye on next year!

Ali Taleb – MMA

Undefeated Ali Taleb is on the brink to break through on the major international scene. In his last fight, Taleb progressed to the 2023 PFL Europe series.

For sure one of the most interesting Swedish MMA fighters to follow next year.

Freddy Castro Gonzalez – Muay Thai

With Swedish Championship gold medals in Muay Thai and kickboxing, Freddy Castro Gonzalez is one of the best strikers around.

However, he aims to win the Swedish Championship in boxing and MMA as well.

Josefine Knutsson – MMA

Strawweight prospect Josefine ”Thunder” Knutsson could quite possibly be the next Swedish fighter to break through on the international scene in 2023.

Isabel Arneda Boström – BJJ

Young BJJ prospect Isabel Arneda Boström won gold in the 2022 European Championships and is definitely a name you will hear more in the next few years. Our good friend Philip O’Connor has been hyping this girl up from day one and it’ll be interesting to see how far she can go.

Djaba Murtazaliev – MMA

The tough Djaba Murtazaliev made a statement in his professional debut at FCR 13 with a first-round submission win.

Jonathan Larsson – Muay Thai

Jonathan Larsson is a seasoned Muay Thai fighter with multiple Swedish championships and international fights on his resume.

Vincent Pettersson – MMA

Heavyweight Vincent Pettersson won his professional debut at Wolf Fight Promotion 5 in December.

Robin Roos

Known for his devastating leg kicks and exceptional Muay Thai skills, Robin Roos is always an entertaining fighter to watch.

After losing a few fights in a row, ”Pretty Boy” managed to turn things around and is riding a three-fight winning streak going into 2023.

Read more: The 50 Best Fighter Nicknames – Crazy, Funny & Completely Bizarre Ones

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