Amateur Watch: Three Prospects To Watch For

Damien McGuigan
Flyweight
9-1
Ireland
21-years-old

McGuigan is currently on an impressive streak, having won nine consecutive fights. His last five bouts have all been title fights, and he now holds the flyweight gold for Cage Conflict, UK Fighting Championship, IUR Fighting Championship, and Akuma Fighting Championship.

As a fighter, McGuigan brings a high-output style and a diverse skill set to the cage. He’s particularly known for his heavy reliance on kicks, which he throws in a variety of ways—spinning kicks, switch kicks, and even tornado kicks—coming from both sides and seemingly out of nowhere. However, his tendency to throw kicks without proper setup leaves him vulnerable to counters.

McGuigan is at his best when he uses setups, actively switches stances, and maintains dynamic movement. His relentless pace and high-energy approach make his cardio a key factor to watch, especially in five-minute rounds. On the ground, his style mirrors his striking: chaotic, high-volume, and constantly attacking. While his jiu-jitsu and scrambling abilities are solid, his takedown defense is a noticeable weakness, as he’s relatively easy to bring to the mat.

At just 21 years old, McGuigan still has plenty of time to grow and develop his skills. While he needs more experience to round out his game as an amateur, he’s already a promising talent and someone to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Robbie Lopez
Flyweight
6-0
USA
19-years-old

Lopez is a remarkable talent who exudes superstar potential. He has all the tools to become a genuine threat if he fully commits to his craft. On the feet, Lopez is an absolute whirlwind. Fighting out of a karate stance with both hands low, he’s light, bouncy, and constantly on the move. His style is a blend of speed, agility, diversity, and precision, making him unpredictable and exceptionally balanced.

Lopez’s game revolves around his legs, using his footwork and a dynamic array of kicks to control the pace. His arsenal includes traditional kicks alongside side kicks, spinning kicks, hook kicks, and strikes from angles most fighters can’t even dream of. Even his axe kick—often dismissed in MMA as flashy but ineffective—becomes a legitimate weapon in his hands, executed with a level of finesse rarely seen. While he’s kick-heavy, Lopez is no slouch with his hands. He seamlessly integrates sharp, well-timed combinations, targeting the body and fluidly darting in and out of range.

What makes Lopez even more dangerous is his ability to lull opponents into focusing on his striking before suddenly shooting for a takedown. On the ground, he’s just as crafty. His grappling is slick, with an innate ability to take the back and thrive in scrambles. His submission game is as versatile as his striking, featuring armbars, neck attacks, leg locks, and creative use of kimura locks to force scrambles and openings.

Lopez’s well-rounded skill set is incredibly rare for a young amateur. He doesn’t show any glaring weaknesses, which speaks volumes about his potential. I’m so confident in his abilities that I believe he’s destined to be a ranked UFC fighter in the future.

Tan Yee Siang
Bantamweight
7-0
Malaysia
19-years-old

Here I am, highlighting an amateur prospect from Malaysia—of all places—but Siang is no ordinary prospect. He’s incredibly promising. The first thing that stands out is his impressive frame for a bantamweight. Standing at a lanky 5'9", he already has a size advantage, and once he fills out physically, he’ll be even more of a problem.

Siang shines in two key areas, both on the feet. His ground game, while not his primary strength, isn’t a liability. His wrestling needs refinement, but he’s competent once the fight hits the mat. He’s shown solid ground-and-pound and strong defensive awareness.

Where Siang truly excels is in the clinch and at range. In the clinch, he’s lethal with his knees, showing both physicality and excellent positional control, along with reliable takedown defense. At range, his long frame works to his advantage. His striking is sharp, with crisp hands and a mastery of kicks to both maintain distance and finish fights. His head kicks are particularly dangerous, whether thrown over the shoulder or straight down the middle.

It’s true that Siang is currently competing against local Malaysian fighters, so he hasn’t faced top-tier competition yet. However, with the right training structure and opportunities, this kid has the tools and potential for a very bright future.