During this MMA hiatus, we’ve taken to scouting world and selecting five favorite prospects from each country for the most part. This time out we’ll be taking a look at Germany. Germany has produced fighters like Dennis Siver, Peter Sabotta, Pascal Krauss, and Bellator’s Daniel Weichel.
Featherweight, Saba Bolaghi (12-1-1)
Saba Bolaghi is a decorated wrestler listing achievements such as the youth German Freestyle Wrestling Championship, Junior World Championships, and the Bronze medal at the Adult European Championships. He is very physically strong and executes his level changes well. When he gets the fight to the mat, he is dangerous with his chokes having won four bouts that way. His striking isn’t much but he makes up with for it with speed and once he is inside the distance, the takedowns come naturally.
Light heavyweight, Timo Feucht (8-1)
Timo Feucht is a good athlete who has only lost to former UFC fighter Klidson Abreu. Since that loss, Feucht has won his last two fights including one over former UFC fighter Jeremy Kimball. He’s well-rounded with an equal number of finishes on the mat and on the feet. On the feet, he has good hands and acceptable footwork cutting off the cage. Feucht also has decent wresting along with good top position. His jiu-jitsu is getting better and better as well.
Heavyweight, Andre Schmidt (4-0)
Andre Schmidt is a bright young prospect who could very well have a high ceiling. He hasn’t shown much anything on the feet. Instead, Schmidt always wants the fight on the mat. His wrestling could be better as he mainly relies on his strength and explosiveness. On top is where he’s able to stage his biggest strength. Schmidt has excellent ground and pound always throwing and staying active. He can be a bit too aggressive but still a dangerous athlete.
Welterweight, Kerim Engizek (15-4)
Kerim Engizek has quietly flown under the radar but arguably has the best resume of all German prospects. He’s the current GMC welterweight champion who has defended his title three times. His last loss was in 2014 as he’s currently on an eight-fight win streak. On the feet, he a good counter striker slipping and coming over the top with his right hand. Engizek isn’t stingy as he goes to the body quite often mixing it up the way fighters should. He does have a ground game as well and while it is fine, he’s much better striking.
Lightweight, Abubakar Sabirov (4-0)
This was a tough decision for the final spot, which came down to a choice between Abubakar Sabirov and Niko Samsonidse. I ultimately went with Sabirov because there is more footage on him and I’ve heard good things. Sabirov is a very good fighter with impressive amateur MMA background. He is a European silver medalist and international MMA champion. He’s a wild striker with a lot of power in his hands. He likes to brawl and although he’s very dangerous he has been dropped before. Sabirov is not just a hand slinger as he mixes in kicks and knees as well.
