With a lot of good prospects competing in MMA action in the month of July, we take a look at five favorites that seem ready for the big show.
The height of summer had plenty of MMA action, and plenty of prospects throwing down. A handful stood out, and with that in mind, we take a look at five prospects ready for the big show in the UFC, and where they might ideally land.
Makhmud Muradov
Date: July 27th | Oktagon 13 | Method: TKO (Punches) – Round 1 | Opponent: Wendell Oliveira (31-12)
Ideal Card: UFC Singapore (October 26)
Ideal Opponent: Abu Azaitar
Fighting out of Prague, Czech Republic, but from Uzbekistan, Muradov has a lot of experience with a 22-6 record. After a few bumps in the road, he is now on a big 11-fight win streak which is the longest of his career. Muradov is the first MMA fighter to sign with Floyd Mayweather’s management company, TMT, which gives him a lot of buzz. The UFC showed major interest in offering him a fight on short notice earlier this year but Muradov turned it down, wanting more time to prepare. He was also scheduled to fight on the Contender Series this Summer but due to miscommunications, he decided not to take that route either. In his last two fights, he beat UFC veterans Wendell Oliveira and Alberto Uda.
Herbeth Souza
Date: July 26th | Future FC 7 | Method: Submission (Guillotine) – Round 1 | Opponent: Taigro Costa (15-4)
With only one loss, Sousa is currently on a four-fight win streak. “Indio” first made a big impression with a win coming against Glyan Alves, someone who many were high on. Sousa is an aggressive grappler who has nine submissions all coming in the first round. His wrestling is solid but obviously, it’s the grappling that’s key. His transitions are smooth and his finishing ability on the submissions is dangerous as he is a black belt in BJJ. Sousa in his latest fight won the Future FC bantamweight title.
Ideal Card: UFC card later in Brazil
Ideal Opponent: Grigory Popov
Brendo Bispo
Date: July 26th | Future FC 7 | Method: Submission (Rear-naked Choke) – Round 3 | Opponent: Luis Fernando de Oliveira (7-4)
Another Brazilian making the list — it would be wise to lock in the very exciting Brendo Bispo. With already 20 fights at only 25-years-old, Bispo looks to be in his prime since moving up to lightweight. Bispo trains out of Chute Boxe with UFC fighter Charles Oliveira. Currently, he’s on a six-fight win streak. The UFC actively goes to Brazil and is always picking up new Brazilian talent and Bispo would be a very good fit.
Ideal Card: UFC Sao Paulo
Ideal Opponent: Joseph Duffy
Jamie Siraj
Date: July 27th | Rise FC 4 | Method: TKO – Round 1 | Opponent: Blake Sigvaldason (7-4)
Siraj is underrated, but still one of Canada’s best prospects. His last loss came to UFC fighter Cole Smith, but since then, he’s on a five-fight win streak. Siraj is well-rounded getting it done on the feet and on the mat. The Canadian is or was the Unified MMA 35 bantamweight champion. Siraj trains out of one of the best camps in Tristar Gym out of Montreal. He doesn’t have the most footage out there but from what we’ve seen has the skillset to compete at any big promotion.
Ideal Card: UFC card in Canada
Ideal Opponent: Mario Bautista
Timur Valiev
Date: July 13th | GFC 13 | Method: TKO (Punches) – Round 1 | Opponent: Giovanni da Silva (18-3)
Valiev is a well-known prospect who surprisingly is not signed to a big promotion. The Dagestan-born fighter has fought for PFL/WSOF a total of nine times. His only loss came to UFC fighter Chris Gutierrez who he later beat in the rematch eight months later. Valiev has a background in Wushu Sanda and is a two-time Russia and European Pankration champion. He trains with various camps but his main sparring partners are Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Said Nurmagomedov. Valiev is high-level athlete who needs to no longer be outside a big promotion.
Ideal Card: UFC 244 (November 2nd)
Ideal Opponent: Douglas Silva de Andrade
