Weekly MMA Prospect Report: RIZIN, PFL Brimming with Talent

RIZIN 18
Kai Asakura Credit: RIZIN FF

Rizin 19 | Saturday | Japan

Flyweight, Kai Asakura (13-1)

Kai Asakura has excellent striking with a lot of power in his hands, especially for a flyweight. He is explosive, athletic, quick, and his accuracy is amazing. The Japanese fighter also has good TDD and solid counter wrestling, with the ability to take the back and get the choke. He holds seven KO/TKOs with two submissions and has shown he can neutralize an opponent with his wrestling if needed. He looks like the real deal. Asakura also has a win over Kyoji Horiguchi which is huge. He faces former UFC fighter Ulka Sasaki (22-7-2).

Light Heavyweight, Jiri Prochazka (24-3-1) 

Prochazka is a very dangerous fighter, finishing 23 of his 24 wins with only two leaving the first round. He is great at putting pressure on his opponents with a lot of volume, and really excels at putting together his kicks and punches with fluidity. Along with being such a dangerous striker, Prochazka is extremely athletic and he loves to launch himself in the air with flying knees. Prochazka is arguably the best light heavyweight prospect in the world due to his impressive list of accomplishments and having fought so many great talents at a young age of 26. At 6’4″, Jiri is a massive athlete and he uses his height to his advantage, throwing leg kicks and knees at various ranges. He fights former UFC fighter Fabio Maldonado (25-13).

Lightweight, Tofik Musaev (15-3)

Musaev is good just about everywhere as he has striking with knockout power, combinations, and counter-striking. Along with some decent wrestling and some effective ground-and-pound. He needs to improve his takedown defense but is still an impressive prospect regardless. Musaev also has a key win over former UFC fighter Daron Cruickshank. He fights another ex-UFC fighter, Damien Brown (19-12).

Lightweight, Roberto de Souza (9-0)

Souza grew up training in judo and jiu-jitsu and would later become very successful in BJJ. His grappling record (as far as official matches go) is 61-15 with 37 submission wins. He has many achievements in BJJ. While MMA is an entirely different sport, Souza still has got it done on the mat with six submissions. His striking has been coming around as well, meaning he can get it done on the feet with his hands as well. He fights his toughest challenge to date, former UFC fighter Johnny Case (26-6-1).

Excellence Fighting Championship 2 | Saturday | Sweeden

Bantamweight, Adam Bramhald (6-2)

Bramhald also has some experience in kickboxing going 4-0 in K1. Only losing to good fighters in Luke Shanks and Scott Malone, at just 25, he has a good future. On the feet he’s very technical and throws a lot of output. Bramhald is dynamic and does a great job throwing with his punches and kicks. Not the most powerful but has everything else. He fights Declan Williams (13-12-3).

Cage Warriors 108 | Saturday | UK

Lightweight, Mason Jones (7-0)

Jones fights out of Blaenavon, Wales, and is a nice prospect at only 24-years old. Jones is a good wrestler who has some very well-timed level changes and is very good at taking the back where he has two rear-naked chokes. Jones’ grappling is good in general but his ground-and-pound is also a difference-maker. On the feet, Jones is always going to be in your face pushing you against the fence, landing knees and lethal elbows in the clinch. He’s always aggressive, throwing a lot of volume, and really has solid cardio with the pace he brings. He fights Aleksi Mantykivi (13-5) who is a good test.