5 European fighters who have a legitimate chance to become UFC champion

The UFC was once dominated by North American fighters, utilizing strong wrestling bases and established MMA gyms to give their athletes the edge over international opposition. However, North America is no longer the MMA powerhouse it once was.

Other continents are now producing elite fighters with new skillsets leading to a greater level of diversity in the UFC's rankings. Europe is especially at the forefront of bringing a new generation of MMA fighters to the UFC.

Fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Michael Bisping and Conor McGregor have paved the way for these European prospects, many of whom could hold UFC gold before too long.

In the following list we will go over five European fighters who have a legitimate chance of becoming UFC champions. Honorable mentions go to Aleksandar Rakic, Arnold Allen, Jack Hermansson and Darren Till.

5 European fighters who have a legitimate chance to become UFC champion

#5 Askar Askarov - UFC flyweight

Askar Askarov is an undefeated UFC flyweight who hails from the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. Currently on a record of 14-0-1, Askarov has wins over some of the UFC's 125lb elite. Unanimous decision victories over the likes of Tim Elliot, Joseph Benavidez and Alexandre Pantajo had many clamoring for Askarov to be next for a shot against newly crowned champion Brandon Moreno.

This is a fight that already has some history behind it. Askarov faced Moreno in his UFC debut, with the two men fighting to a close split decision draw. Instead, Askarov has been matched up with former title challenger Alex Perez in what is essentially a title eliminator fight.

It will be incredibly hard to deny Askarov a title shot should he defeat Perez. Considering how close Askarov's first fight against Moreno went, there will be few who argue that the Dagestani flyweight will not at least have somewhat of a chance against the Mexican champion.

#4 Jiri Prochazka - UFC light heavyweight

Czech-born UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka currently sits at the number two spot in the 205lb rankings. This is despite him being only two fights into his UFC career. It was the way in which Prochazka performed in his two fights that saw him rise up the rankings in such a rapid fashion.

Prochazka knocked out UFC light heavyweight veteran Volkan Oezdemir on his debut, instantly alerting the top 15 to his presence. He followed that up with a spinning elbow KO over former title challenger Dominick Reyes.

The current light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz, is scheduled to face off against Glover Teixera in October. Prochazka may be able to lobby for a title shot should he wait for their fight to be resolved. But considering Prochazka's competitive nature, it is more likely he will take the fight to fellow European contender Aleksander Rakic.

#3 Islam Makhachev - UFC lightweight

Dagestan is a true cultural hotbed for MMA talent following the huge success of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the man who will inherit Nurmagomedov's title as lightweight king.

Makhachev is both a training partner and close friend of Nurmagomedov. This shows in his fighting style, with the signature Dagestani wrestling being a huge aspect of his game.

Makhachev is on an eight-fight winning streak in the UFC. He has defeated multiple 155lb elites, including Drew Dober and Arman Tsarukyan, as well as the man who arguably gave Khabib his toughest test in the octagon, Gleison Tibau.

Makhachev is now set to face off against Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. A win here will likely put him in a number one contender position.

#2 Leon Edwards - UFC welterweight

Of all the fighters featured on this list, Leon Edwards is arguably the most deserving of a title shot. In his last ten fights, Edwards has nine wins and one no contest, all against UFC opponents.

Edwards was admittedly born in Jamaica but has been raised in Birmingham, England since the age of nine and thus represents both countries. He is currently the UK's next hope of having a fighter wearing UFC gold.

Edwards holds wins over some of the UFC's top athletes, including Rafael dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson and Donald Cerrone. In his most recent fight, Edwards competed against Nate Diaz in a five-round brawl. Edwards dominated the fight and picked up a unanimous decision victory.

This win arguably should have led to Edwards being given the next shot at the 170lb champion, Kamaru Usman. However, Dana White has stated that it will be Colby Covington who next fights for gold. Edwards may have to compete once more in order to solidify his status as the number one contender in the welterweight division.

#1 Ciryl Gane - UFC heavyweight

Ciryl Gane has looked nothing short of dominant since joining the UFC in 2019. The Frenchman holds an undefeated record of 9-0 with six wins coming inside the UFC. He is not a one-dimensional fighter either, with his wins coming by way of all manner of stoppages. Finishes by way of heel hook, elbow and arm triangle are all on Gane's record.

However, Gane has also shown that he is more than capable of taking a fight into deep waters. His last two fights, against Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov, ended in the form of unanimous decision victories, both in Gane's favor.

After the Volkov win, Gane called for a title shot against his former training partner Francis Ngannou. With France recently legalizing MMA, the UFC are looking to hold their first event in Paris. Gane vs. Ngannou would be the perfect debut for the UFC on French soil.