Strawweight, Bo Meng (14-5)
Bo Meng is the only person that holds a win over UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang, which looks pretty darn good now. Meng is a well-rounded combatant who has a lot of power in her hands. Enough to stop someone with just one punch. She’s rapid with her output throwing with her hands and mixing in kicks. She’s an even better wrestler with ferocious ground and pound. She fights Priscilla Gaol (7-4).
ACA 113 / Friday / Russia
Flyweight, Kurban Gadzhiev (16-2)
Kurban is super fast, he uses his kicks very well going low and high mixing it up very well. Kurban is superb on the mat; it’s instant transitions as he is always moving and he really thrives in scrambles. Even his wrestling is very top-notch. Gadzhiev has solid defense when it comes to footwork but he does need to improve his takedown defense a bit. He fights Azamat Kerefov (13-0).
Flyweight, Azamat Kerefov (13-0)
The undefeated Russian is well-rounded and that has got him to become the ACA world champ. On the feet, Kerefov has good dirty boxing, dangerous kicks, and a laser-accurate straight left. He is as good of a wrestler as he is a striker, and has a gas tank to go five rounds. His takedown defense needs some work but has good grappling and get-up ability. Azamat was very impressive in his last showing. He fights Kurban Gadzhiev (16-2).
Featherweight, Zamir Aripshev (9-1)
Zamir Aripshev has a background in hand-to-hand combat but outside of that there is not a lot of info on him. However Aripshev is a fireball on the feet rushing forward throwing wheel kicks and huge overhands. It’s not the greatest look but once he’s on the mat it’s more of a controlled chaos from there. He throws active ground and pound to improve position to eventually get the TKO stoppage. I’m not fully sold on him but he’s been dominant lately. He fights Islam Omarov (8-0).
Featherweight, Islam Omarov (8-0)
Omarov is an undefeated Russian that is all action from start to finish. He’s an excellent wrestler and he strikes well to wrestle. He’s always moving and always throwing to break his opponents down. Omarov has a solid gas tank and with the constant forward pressure, it’s very impressive. He fights Zamir Aripshev (9-1).
Flyweight, Maycon Silvan (15-3)
After his last loss nearly three years ago, Silvan is now on a three-fight win streak over good fighters. Silvan is a BJJ guy but he’s skilled on the feet as well. He’s aggressive, he cuts off the cage well, and has good movement moving in and out as well. On the mat, Silvan is in his realm. Even off his back he’s very dangerous. Silvan has seven wins coming by way of submission. He fights Murad Zeinulabidov (20-3).
HRMMA 116 | Friday | US
Lightweight, Adli Edwards (7-1)
Edwards is a solid wrestler who has won his last five fights. Outside of being a good wrestler he’s aggressive, throws good leg kicks, and seems to have a pretty good gas tank. Once he’s able to get the takedown he’s been dominant with positions and control. Edwards is a submission threat with two wins going that way including a nice kimura finish. He fights Lance Lawrence (5-1).
