UFC.com published the first part of its 2026 “Fighters on the Rise” feature, spotlighting names such as Mansur Abdul-Malik, Jacqueline Cavalcanti, and Melquizael Costa. The article positions these fighters as up-and-coming prospects or ascending contenders based on their recent win streaks and division movement. It matters because UFC promotional features like this often hint at which athletes may receive stronger booking support next. The next thing to watch is whether any of the highlighted fighters get matched into higher-profile fights in the second half of the year.
UFC.com released the opening installment of its 2026 "Fighters on the Rise" feature on July 19, placing a promotional spotlight on a select group of athletes the organization views as ascending talents, among them middleweights Mansur Abdul-Malik and Melquizael Costa, alongside women's bantamweight Jacqueline Cavalcanti.
Abdul-Malik, a 28-year-old American fighting out of MMA Masters, carries a 9-1-1 record and brings notable physical tools to the cage. Standing six-foot-two with an 80-inch reach, the orthodox striker lands 3.28 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.65 takedowns per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded game that mixes grappling threat with measured striking output.
Costa, a 29-year-old Brazilian southpaw representing Chute Boxe Joao Emilio, holds a 26-8 record and operates at a higher striking volume. He lands 4.29 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and adds 1.53 takedowns per 15 minutes to his arsenal, making him a multi-dimensional threat at 178 cm tall with a 71-inch reach.
Cavalcanti rounds out the highlighted trio. The 28-year-old Portuguese fighter, training out of Syndicate MMA, is currently ranked 12th in the women's bantamweight division with a 10-2 record. Her striking output stands out sharply: 5.3 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy, the highest volume of the three featured fighters. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, she has built her game almost entirely on the feet, registering no takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- UFC promotional features frequently signal which fighters are being positioned for more prominent bookings in the near term.
- Cavalcanti's ranking at 12th in women's bantamweight means a step up in opposition could push her toward title contention conversations.
- Abdul-Malik's combination of reach advantage and takedown threat makes him a stylistically interesting prospect as competition stiffens.
- Costa's high-volume striking from a southpaw stance could attract marquee matchups in a deep division.
