Five Big Show Ready MMA Prospects from February

Date: February 23 | Promotion: King of the Cage | Method: TKO (Ground and Pound) – Round 1 | Opponent: Turrell Galloway (8-8)

Mix is now 10-0 and has done all he can do for the KOTC promotion and is ready to move on to a big stage. His last fight was also his first stoppage by TKO. Undefeated as a pro and also as an amateur going 11-0, Mix is all about pressure and is always moving forward walking his opponent down. Mix has eleven career submissions 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. He’s beat some good regional competition such as top prospect Tony Gravely and UFC fighter Andre Ewell.

• Ideal Card – UFC 238 (June 8)
• Ideal Opponent – Matthew Lopez

Date: February 16 | Promotion: CFFC | Method: TKO (Punches) – Round 4 | Opponent: Taj Abdul-Hakim (8-1)

I’m super surprised Brady isn’t signed by a big promotion yet considering he’s one of the best welterweight prospects around. In his last three bouts, he beat two respected prospects in Taj Abdul-Hakim and Gilbert Urbina and also former TUF winner and UFC fighter Colton Smith. In those last three fights, his opponents had a record of 20-5 at the time they fought. He now has two title defenses for CFFC and has excellent wrestling with solid jiu-jitsu while his striking is improving.

• Ideal Card – UFC Philadelphia (March 30)
• Ideal Opponent – Lyman Good

Date: February 16 | Promotion: CFFC | Method: Submission (D’Acre Choke) – Round 3 | Opponent: Jonavin Webb (12-2)

Daukaus impressed many when he beat former UFC fighter Jonavin Webb. Webb was on a four-fight win streak after his release from the UFC before running into Daukaus. He’s dangerous on the feet and composed on the mat. He hits hard and throws at a good output but all of his career wins are by submission. He’s the least experienced on this list (only 6-0) but still young at 26. The Contender Series is a strong possibility, but I think it would be smart for Bellator to make a strong offer.

• Ideal Card: UFC Philadelphia (March 30)
• Ideal Opponent: Anthony Hernandez

Date: February 22 | Promotion: Ring of Combat | Method: Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 2 | Opponent: John de Jesus (10-6)

Ring of Combat, much like CFFC, does a great job building talent and shipping them to the bigger shows. Algeo is 11-2 in his last twelve fights with them losses coming to prospect Jared Gooden and current UFC fighter Shane Burgos. Algeo is well-rounded as he has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has won multiple championships. He’s an All-State Wrestler, Collegiate Boxer, and an undefeated professional Muay Thai Fighter. Algeo is also coming off his third title defense for ROC, so he needs to be picked up by a big promotion.

• Ideal Card – UFC Philadelphia (March 30)
• Ideal Opponent – Jordan Griffin

Date: February 22 | Promotion: Ring of Combat | Method: KO (Punches), Round 3 | Opponent: John Sweeney (6-1)

Caracappa is another Ring of Combat champion who has three title defenses. Caracappa 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. He beat John Sweeney in his last fight after losing the first two rounds. Phil ended up getting the knockout in the opening seconds of round three for the impressive comeback win.

• Ideal Card – UFC Ft. Lauderdale (April 27)
• Ideal Opponent – Domingo Pilarte