Combate 55 | Friday | Mexico
Lightweight: Rafa Garcia (11-0)
Rafa 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 seven wins by submission which is proof that his jiu-jitsu is very solid. He fights former UFC fighter Humberto Bandenay (18-7).
Strawweight: Yasmine Jauregui (4-0)
Still very green, Yasmine Jauregui has really impressed in her career thus far. Her style is reminiscent of UFC fighter Maycee Barber in a few ways. Jauregui has shown solid ground and pound, though 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 is always throwing and looking to end the fight. She does need to work on some things like her movement and striking defense. With that said, she can be very good. She fights Lourdes Salcido (0-0) due to an opponent change.
LFA 82 | Friday | US
Light-heavyweight, Alex Polizza (5-0)
Undefeated as a pro and as an amateur going 6-0 combined, Alex Polizzi has the recipe to be a big prospect in the 205lb weight class. Polizzi was a D1 wrestler at Northwestern University from 2010-2015 and was a state champion. Polizzi needs work on his stand-up but his wrestling and athleticism will take him far. His ground and pound have been his best weapon to date. He’s never been outside the second round but his pressure and relentless style (a.k.a. his cardio) have held up just fine. He fights Jamal Pogues (7-2).
Light-heavyweight, Jamal Pogues (7-2)
Young in both age and experience, Jamal Pogues is still an established fighter. His only two losses are to Jordan Young and Taylor Johnson who are both good prospects. Last Summer, he fought on the Contender Series and beat Marcos Brigagão but didn’t earn the UFC contract. Pogues is a good wrestler whose grappling would be his weapon of choice. He would be described as a grinder being able to wrestle/grapple the entire duration of the fight. Pogues though isn’t a hold and stall type fighter as he’s always transitioning looking for the finish. On the feet, he’s improving with good right and left hooks as well as heavy leg kicks. He fights Alex Polizzi (5-0).
Featherweight: Nate Richardson (7-1)
Nate Richardson is a pro boxer and was a kickboxer on the US team. He was also a Glory kickboxer not too long ago. He’s an excellent systematic striker who will break down the legs and the body while going to the head. Richardson is very athletic and explosive in his attack. Every time he throws it’s with much power and speed. He mixes it up very well with a big arsenal of weapons. He fights Jake Childers (7-0).
Flyweight, Nate Smith (5-0)
Nate Smith has a background in wrestling that too many don’t seem to know about. He was a USA Junior Olympic wrestler in Greco Roman, Fargo All-American as well as a national champion. After a lengthy amateur career, Smith has found his stride looking quite dominant. His wrestling is solid, he’s quick, and his jiu-jitsu is solid as well. On the feet, he has the speed and power but strikes to wrestle mainly. Looks to be a good prospect coming up. He fights Sean Stebbins (2-0).
Rizin 21 | Friday | Japan
Bantamweight: Victor Henry (19-4)
Victor Henry has shown he’s well-rounded, to go along with his successful background in catch wrestling. He thrives in scrambles and hunts for submissions actively, being well-versed on the mat. His striking is getting better with a solid base of kickboxing. Henry has never looked better and has key wins over current UFC fighter Anderson Dos Santos, and good prospects in Kyler Phillips, Denis Lavrentyev, and many more. He fights longtime vet and former UFC fighter Masanori Kanehara (27-13-5).
Lightweight: Mikuru Asakura (12-1)
Mikuru Asakura is an exciting prospect who has steamrolled all but one of his opponents. Asakura is a very adept grappler who has some proficient judo/wrestling, along with exceptional jiu-jitsu. Having said that, on the feet is where Asakura is most dangerous. Holding huge knockout power, you could describe Asakura as having dynamite in his hands. He uses that innate power with good set-up techniques, including counters and feints. He is a sniper with explosiveness. He fights Daniel Salas (16-6).
Lightweight: Vugar Kyaramov (14-3)
Vugar Kyaramov could very well be the next big thing out of Azerbaijan. He’s on a current 10-fight win streak and his losses are to pretty good competition. Kyaramov does have a tendency to throw single strikes but makes up for it with his explosiveness and aggressiveness. He’s an even better wrestling and on top, he’s a nightmare. His ground and pound are ruthless as he’s put a few guys out cold with hammer fists. He fights Kyle Aguon (13-8).
Bellator Dublin | Saturday | Ireland
Welterweight: Lewis Long (17-5)
Lewis Long has improved a lot in his career, especially on the feet, now incorporating better combinations and damaging leg kicks. Long has solid judo/wrestling with a strong ground game, especially at taking the back. His last six fights he’s gone 5-1 as his only loss is to KSW champion and top prospect Roberto Soldić. He fights former UFC fighter Oliver Enkamp (8-2).
RCC | Saturday | Russia
Lightweight: Mikhail Odintsov (16-2)
In the last ten fights, Mikhail Odintsov has only lost one bout and has won now five in a row. On the feet, he throws a lot. He throws a variety of weapons and throws to the legs, body, and head. Odintsov utilizes a lot of feints to time his shots shooting very low double leg takedowns. He has exceptional grappling and fight-ending ground and pound. He fights Svyatoslav Shabanov (18-8-1).
