A couple of days ago ESPN released their second annual top 25 MMA fighters under the age of 25, with UFC prospects largely dominating. With last years top two- A.J McKee and Sean O’Malley too old to be considered this time around, Australia’s Jimmy Crute took top spot, with Edmen Shahbazyan and Song Yadong rounding out the top three. This got the cogs turning and led me to think about some of the premier British prospects looking to make their mark in the sport. Upon embarking on a slightly smaller British version for this article two things became abundantly clear: Firstly there was a frustratingly large amount of top Brits who’ve just turned 25 and thus were ineligible (Jack Shore, Mason Jones, Paddy Pimblett and Luke Shanks to name but a few). Secondly if a fighters age isn’t on Tapology/Sherdog prepare for a long hard journey that inevitably ends in disappointment as you find out x fighter turned 25 two months ago. Here’s our top ten British fighters under the age of 25. 10. James Hendin (5-0) Another hot prospect competing in the Cage Warriors featherweight division, Durham’s James Hendin has looked better and better each time he has stepped foot in the cage. Turning professional in 2018 Hendin hasn’t been afraid to put his ‘0’ on the line even this early into his professional career, and already owns an impressive ledger with wins over the likes of solid British talents Kingsley Crawford (5-2), Jordan Barton (6-1-1) and Kris Edwards (13-12). A step up in is his next outing will offer a better picture of where ‘The Honeybadger’ is at, but he certainly seems to have a bright future in the sport. 9. Luke Trainer (4-0) Standing at 6′ 6” tall with an 84.5” reach Luke Trainer has all the physical attributes to enjoy a successful career in the light heavyweight division, this coupled with his elite mindset and technical ability makes Trainer a serious prospect to look out for. The 24 year old turned pro in 2019, racing to 2-0 before entering John Kavanagh’s Euro Fight Night, an eight man tournament that saw the winner rewarded with a lucrative six figure contract. The then 23 year old won the tournament, winning decisions in the first two rounds before submitting Maciej Sosnowski in the final, thus earning a contract with Bellator. He made his debut in September 2020 at Bellator’s Euro Series 8, stopping Alex O’Toole via ground and pound in the first round. Trained by former UFC veteran Brad Pickett at Titan Fighter, away from the sport Trainer lives in a foster facility with his parents where he takes care of vulnerable children. 8. Justin Burlinson (5-0) After watching fellow North East fighter Ross Pearson rise to prominence after winning TUF 9 in 2009, Sunderland’s Justin Burlinson was inspired to take up MMA and what a decision it was. The 23 year old ended a stellar amateur career that saw him win seventeen of eighteen contests by turning professional in 2017, and since then the welterweight has gone 5-0 in the pro ranks, with all his wins finishing early (2 KO’s and three submissions). Signing a multi-fight deal with Bellator in 2019, Burlinson finished both Maciek Gierszewski and Wendle Lewis in the first round in his Freshman year with the company. A step up in competition had been planned for Burlinson’s next bout, with undefeated Welshman Bobby Pallett expected to offer him a stern test at Bellator 247, only for the Sunderland man to fail a Covid-19 test and have to withdraw. With time very much on his side, he will certainly be looking to put a frustrating year of inactivity behind him when he finally returns after a near 18 month layoff. 7. Jordan Vucenic (6-1) Corby’s Jordan ‘The Epidemic’ Vucenic proved his title credentials last time out with a close but clear decision win over former title contender Steve Aimable. Aimable’s been mixing with elite company as of late, dropping decision losses to former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Mads Burnell and current title challenger Perry Goodwin, so Vucenic’s win puts him in good company. Aside from the Aimable win the 24 year old also holds wins over current Brave CF featherweight contender Shoaib Yousaf and previously undefeated Spanish prospect Rachid Haz. His only professional loss came at the hands of the more experienced current Bellator contender Luke Ord in 2018. Next for Vucenic is a tough featherweight clash with undefeated Irishman Paul Hughes, with the winner more than likely going on to challenge for CW gold next. 6. Paul Hughes (6-0) 23 year old Paul Hughes has burst onto the scene with a host of finish victories that have seen the Derry native go 3-0 in the Cage Warriors cage. Eye catching finishes of Stephen O’Neill, Mateusz Makarowski and Kalifa Seydi in 2019 have been followed up with further finishes of Youri Panada (highlight reel head kick KO) and a career best win over Aidan Stephen last time out. The undefeated Irishman is now set to face fellow hot prospect Jordan Vucenic at Cage Warriors 119, with the winner more than likely being next in line for the currently vacant CW featherweight title (set to be contested between Morgan Charriere and Perry Goodwin at CW 119). Hughes has a well rounded game and is not just comfortable wherever the fight goes, but is actively dangerous in any sphere of the game, don’t be surprised to see Hughes making the step up to one of the major promotions in the near future. 5. Sam Patterson (6-1-1) Perhaps one of the lesser known fighters on this list, Sam Patterson is someone you should definitely be taking seriously fighting over in the Middle East with Brave CF. The 24 year old highlighted his potential in his last outing, stopping former UFC veteran Felipe Silva in the first round with a thunderous right hand, making it six without defeat for ‘The Future’. Patterson was scouted by Brave CF after
