#combat sambo

Ateba Gautier (CMR) vs Mouknaj Mustapha (MAR)

I didn't realize that Ateba Gautier (9-1) had a background in combat sambo. Makes sense why he's so composed beyond his years/experience. There's a bunch of MMA fighters coming up in Africa right now who have combat sambo background (Abdoullah Kane). Cameroon seems to be a hot spot.

But thus far, Ateba Gautier seems to be the most successful. He spent 2025 terrorizing the bottom of the middleweight division, picking up 3 quick first round KOs. But bottom of the division really means bottom as all three of his opponents have 0 combined wins in the UFC. His next opponent, Andrey Pulyaev (10-3), will be the first. Still Gautier has all the intangibles you'd look for in a future top fighter at 185lbs.