Weekly MMA Prospect Report: CFFC Takes Spotlight With Two Events

Jornel Lugo Bellator 232
Jornel Lugo Credit: Joe McDonagh/Cageside Press

With two shows in a single week, Cage Fury had a lot to offer in terms of prospects this week. Here’s the latest edition of our Weekly MMA Prospect Report.

CFFC 82 | Wednesday | US

Flyweight, Santos Curatolo (4-0)

Curatolo’s competition hasn’t been too good and his strength of schedule needs work. But that said Curatolo has still looked stellar thus far and has treated his lack of competition the way he should’ve. Curatolo is an excellent wrestler rag-dolling guys around. He’s a pure athlete who I think can jump into the UFC and do well. He fights James Mancini (6-4) who is his biggest test to date.

CFFC 83 | Thursday | US

Strawweight, Jasmine Jasudavicius (4-0)

4-0 as a pro, Jasudavicius also went 4-0 as an amateur as well as compiling a 3-0 record in boxing. She has looked really good and has improved leaps and bounds with each fight. Aggressive is one way to put it. Jasudavicius is a good muay thai fighter with excellent knees and damaging elbows. Her striking is solid and overall is improving at a fast rate. She fights Elise Reed (1-0).

Bantamweight, Paul Capaldo (4-0)

Capaldo is still young in his career but I will say it already seems like he’s now in his prime. He already has everything you look for in a fighter and is someone I’m sure will have a breakout year in 2020. Capaldo on the feet throws everything with heavy power looking to the finish. He has an excellent head kick which he has a knockout by in his pro debut. Capaldo throws at a good pace and can do it for three solid rounds going the distance twice in his pro career. He fights Jamal Johnson (3-4).

SFT 23 | Thursday | US

Middleweight, Aaron Jeffery (7-2)

Jeffery is coming off a win but lost just a year ago on the Contender Series. That loss was to Brendan Allen who was one of the better fighters that season. The Canadian Jeffery is a solid prospect at 27-years-old. Jeffery is comfortable on the feet with overall good boxing skills. He has a good jab and solid output with his hands. He’s strong against the cage with solid dirty boxing. Despite his output he has excellent cardio. He fights Bruno Assis (9-4).

Bantamweight, Jornel Lugo (3-0)

Lugo is only 3-0 as a pro but he’s been very impressive including a win over John Douma is his last fight. Lugo does have a grappling game but on the feet is where he excels. He’s a tricky fighter who utilizes his striking from the end of his punches. He holds his hands low to his waist in what could be a problem but it allows the angles he uses to stay hidden. Lugo frequently switches stances giving different looks. Overall a young and talented fighter. He fights Cortavious Romious (4-0).

Bantamweight, Cortavious Romious (4-0)

As an amateur Romious had a highlight-reel head kick knockout that went viral. That’s not the style of Romious though as he’s a much better wrestler and grappler. He’s an extremely explosive athlete and a very fast starter. He has strong textbook wrestling and on top his ground and pound is fight-ending. He has been put on his back before but is so strong and scrambles so well he always wins the position. Only 26, he has a bright future. He fights Jornel Lugo (3-0).

Showcase MMA 13 | Friday | US

Featherweight, Cole Ferrell (8-0)

Cole Ferrell hasn’t been touched in his professional career and has rarely ever been in any kind of trouble. Ferrell has shown glimpses of power in his hands but is a good wrestler with a very solid ground game. He has shown that he has a tight grip when he gets the neck, hence why his seven submission wins have all come by way of a choke. If there is one knock on Cole Ferrell, it would be that he needs a step up in competition. He fights Kelli Gottardo (2-3).

Brave CF 39 | Saturday | Sweeden

Middleweight, Andreas Gustafsson Berg (5-0)

Andreas Gustafsson is an absolute beast who rather resembles UFC fighter Mark O. Madsen. “Bane” is a powerhouse wrestler who enjoys the big body lock takedowns. His wrestling is spectacular and that includes his entrances, setups, raw power, and his excellent chain wrestling. The man is a huge problem on the mat as his ground and pound is constantly pouring down no matter what position he’s in. Gustafsson is all over his foes from start to finish always moving on the mat and always landing something. His cardio is solid as well especially with the pace he has. There hasn’t been an opportunity to see how his striking really is but he at least strikes well to close the distance. He’s indeed a problem. He fights Miro Jurković (10-2) who is a good test.