While the UFC is making its debut in the Czech Republic, a number of other promotions will be in action this weekend.
UFC Prague is set to go off Saturday, with young talents like Gillian Robertson on the card. But ONE, Bellator, LFA and others are set to go down as well. That means plenty of prospects to take a look at — including a trio of middleweights this week in Roman Kopylov, Brendan Allen, and Moses Murietta.
ONE Championship | Friday | Singapore
Lightweight, Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (6-1)
Saygid has shown impressive explosiveness in blitzes with a barrage of strikes and kicks as everything he throws is with ill intentions. That includes his wrestling as well. Though it might better be described as him rag-dolling his opponents, showing the ability to suplex his opponent with ease. Saygid has two submissions and overall is very slick with his jiu-jitsu. At only 24 years old the sky is the limit.
WTFK | Friday | Russia
Middleweight, Roman Kopylov (8-0)
Kopylov is a three-time hand-to-hand combat fighting world champion. That background has made him a very bright talent and given him the potential to be the future of Russian MMA. Kopylov is quite advanced on the feet favoring combinations with up to four strikes at a time. His ability to cover the distance with kicks and step-in knees is great. He fights Magomed Umalatov (7-0) who is not on the same level as Kopylov
Future FC 2 | Friday | Brazil
Lightweight, Anderson Ferreira (12-1)
Ferreira has a background in Muay Thai with a record of 18-1 (which may not even be up-to-date) and in kickboxing with a 15-2 record, with a WGP title to his name. Obviously, the Brazilian wants to keep the fight standing where he can use his length with his kicks and strikes. After losing his first fight, Ferreira has won all his 12 subsequent fights with a 100% finish rate. He does have an issue holding his chin straight up and his takedown defense is still a work in progress but he is very dangerous on the feet. He fights Ismael Bonfim (12-3) who is skilled himself making this a big test for both guys.
Ring of Combat 67 | Friday | New Jersey
Featherweight, Bill Algeo (11-3)
In the last six years, Algeo has gone 10-2 with losses to Jared Gordon and Shane Burgos who are both UFC fighters and in the process, he has captured the ROC title with two title defenses. Algeo is well-rounded as he has a Blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has won multiple championships. He’s an All-State Wrestler, Collegiate Boxer, and an undefeated Professional Muay Thai Fighter. I believe Algeo shines more on the mat where his jiu-jitsu is solid and he thrives in scrambles. He has a good Muay Thai base landing very well in the clinch. He does need to keep his hands up more and tighten up his takedown defense but it is improving. He fights John de Jesus (16-6) who is skilled but Algeo should win.
Bantamweight, Phil Caracappa (7-0)
Caeacappa started wrestling at a young age all the way up to high school and later transitioned into MMA where he is now undefeated as a pro and is the ROC champion. He also has a big title defense against former UFC fighter Louis Gaudinot. Phil is a solid wrestler of course with his background, which has crossed over into his MMA career. While wrestling would be his best aspect, on top of that, he brings good top control with solid jiu-jitsu. His stand-up is still a work in progress but he has steady volume and solid technique (the latter being a work in progress). He fights John Sweeney (6-1) who is skilled, but simply not as good as Phil.
LFA 61 | Friday | Minnesota
Middleweight, Brendan Allen (10-3)
Allen has already been in so many memorable fights at the young age of just 22. His only losses are to current UFC fighters Eyrk Anders, Trevin Giles, and Anthony Hernandez. His grappling is outstanding, he has great scrambles and moves very freely on top, and he can take the back or the mount with ease. Allen can either rain down elbows for the TKO or grab a choke, so it will take a skilled fighter to beat him on the mat. In terms of standup, he’s not bad at all, he keeps good distance throwing strikes and leg kicks. Allen isn’t known for a lot of power, but he likes to get into the clinch to get knees flowing along with mixing in takedowns. He fights Mosses Murrietta (8-1)
Middleweight, Moses Murietta (8-1)
Murrietta isn’t the quickest nor the most athletic but he is very smart and very savvy. Murietta is solely a striker as shown with four KO/TKO wins. He has a wonderful jab he fights behind and really has some solid boxing. He is very technical and patient, and is a good counter striker as well. Murietta seems to get stronger as the fight goes on, getting more settled down with his striking. He fights Brendan Allen (8-1).
Bellator 217 | Saturday | Ireland
Welterweight, Kiefer Crosbie (5-0)
Crosbie is a product out of the Straight Blast Gym in Ireland, who has really turned his pro career around after a back and fourth amateur career going 6-6. Crosbie isn’t great anywhere but he has some good qualities. His takedown defense could need some work but he is decent off his back. He could throw more on the feet but he does hit hard. What Crosbie does the best is land massive elbows as he has shown on the feet and on the mat. He also has some good clinch work. Still needs work but there has been definite improvement. He fights Daniel Olejniczak (3-2-1).
KOTC, Saturday. (New York)
Bantamweight, Patrick Mix (9-0)
Undefeated as a pro Patrick Mix also went 11-0 as an amateur.. Mix is all about pressure and he is always moving forward walking his opponent down. Mix has twelve career submissions with five rear-naked chokes showing he is more comfortable on the mat but now, training out of Jackson Wink MMA he’s been improving every step of the way. We’ve also featured Mix in our 10 bantamweights the UFC should sign this year article here. He fights Turrell Galloway (8-8).
