It’s not a jam-packed weekend for MMA, but there are a good number of worthwhile prospects competing in the next several days.
Combate Americas | Friday | Mexico
Lightweight: Rafa Garcia (10-0)
Garcia is a top prospect out of Mexico who has beat some credible guys, even former UFC fighter Estevan Payan. Garcia is a solid wrestler/grappler with an overhand right. He’s not too technical on the feet but Garcia does hit hard mainly with leg kicks and that right hand. Garcia is really good at executing the single leg takedown and just using his wrestling in general. He has eight wins by submission which is proof that his jiu-jitsu is very solid. He fights Erick Gonzalez (10-3), who is a good test.
Strawweight: Yasmine Jauregui (3-0)
Still very green, Jauregui really impressed me in her last two outings. Her style really reminds me of UFC fighter Maycee Barber is a few ways. Jauregui as she’s shown solid ground and pound she looks to be more skilled on the feet. She will throw a lot of volume with her kicks and punches putting it all together well. Yasmine Jauregui is always throwing and looking to end the fight, which is why she has a 100% finish rate. She does need to work on some things like her movement and striking defense. With that said, I believe she can be very good. She fights Yajaira Romo (5-3), who at this point is a good test for Yasmine.
WWFC 16 | Saturday | Ukraine
Strawweight: Svetlana Gotsyk (12-4)
Gotsyk is mainly a wrestler with ferocious ground and pound until she sees an opening for an armbar. On the feet, she stands at 5″2′ making it hard for her to get inside and strike but that doesn’t affect her being able to stand and brawl, which is where she thrives. She is still really green, is lacking cardio and she pulls guard way too much, but she is only 22, so she has all the time in the world to develop. She fights Magdalena Sormova (9-1), who she did lose to, but I think has the better future.
Lightweight: Kirill Goroberts (8-1)
Ukraine’s Goroberts is a human highlight reel who has three wins by a head kick and a submission via banana split. Goroberts is very explosive who uses a lot of feints and explosiveness to find big shots. Being both creative and explosive, Goroberts is an ultra dangerous guy on both the feet and the mat. He’s very quick on the release and is diverse in his attack throwing good combos and likes to use spinning attacks. He fights Rinat Sayakbaev (13-5-1).
Featherweight: Khasan Askhabov (20-2)
A Luxembourg native and product out of Tiger Muay Thai, Khasan is the current WWFC Featherweight Champion. Khasan is a fighter who picks his shots and his spots being a reason that he has exceptional cardio. On the feet, he has a diverse kicking attack as he likes to spin and is accurate when doing so. What he does best is timing takedowns. His ability to trip his opponents to the mat or time a kick from his opponents and get the takedown is perfect. Khasan could be a bit more active, and if so, he’ll just be that much better. He fights Elismar Lima (19-7).
Bantamweight: Khusein Askhabov (19-0)
The twin brother of Khasan Askhabov, Khusein shares something with his sibling: they are both talented prospects. The 24-year-old star is also a top product out of Tiger Muay Thai. His stand up is good, he is quick and explosive and displays good kickboxing by throwing a lot of different kicks and staying active. It’s his ground game where Askhabov is best, using good wrestling and getting dominant positions easily. His submission awareness is very clean as he can go for submissions at a drop of a dime. He is quick but he has some work to do to mix all his skills to improve. He fights Luiz Filho (10-4), who is coming off a loss.
CFFC 78 | Saturday | Pennsylvania
Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus (7-0)
A veteran of the Contender Series this past summer, Daukaus is a good prospect despite not getting the contract. On the feet, he’s not great but throws a lot of volume and is very good using his length. He’s much more versed on the mat and his wrestling to get in there is good. Daukaus has a good submission base with six wins by submission and his D’Arce choke being a prime choice. He’s active with his submission attempts and his ground and pound as well. He fights former Contender Series fighter, Stephen Regman (9-4).
Lightweight: Pat Sabatini (11-2)
Sabatini has only two losses in his career to top prospects in Jose Mariscal and Robert Watley. Sabatini does have a background in grappling, competing in several competitions, and has a background in combat sambo. Sabatini is clearly dangerous on the mat with nine finishes all coming by submission. He is very improved with solid trip takedowns, good ground-and-pound, improved stand up and excellent cardio. He fights Rafael Barbosa (12-1)
Featherweight: Rafael Barbosa (12-1)
Barbosa has looked impressive and at only 21-years-old, he has a high ceiling. He fights with a karate stance, lasering the jab along with an excellent right kick to the liver. The Brazilian is slick on the feet with his jab and does a good job with his movement. Barbosa has some solid head movement, slipping and ripping his counters. He is still green on the mat though, but at his young age, there is still room for improvement. He fights Pat Sabatini (11-2).
