Back-to-back cards from CFFC meant a double-shot of MMA prospects competing on Fight Pass, while Brave CF, Bellator and more were also in action. Here’s a look at the the up-and-comers in action this week.
CFFC 88 | Wednesday | US
Strawweight, Criszaida Adames (2-0)
Going 4-0 as an amateur, Adames is only 2-0 as a pro but has looked good. Adames is a spitfire blitzing in and out with offense. She could be more technical but is active enough to create issues. Adames has taken down opponents as well as being able to mix it up on the feet. Her best aspects are her striking coming forward and her work rate. She’s still raw but has potential. She fights Claudia Baril (1-0).
Brave CF 45 | Thursday | Bahrain
Lightweight, Akhmed Magomedov (6-0)
Magomedov has a background in freestyle wrestling and was the Russian National Jiu-Jitsu champion in 2017. The Russian only has six fights, but three finishes, getting it done on the mat with submissions and ground and pound. He’s a smart fighter and could be someone to watch for in the future. He fights Abdul Azim Badakhshi (10-2).
Bellator 253 | Thursday | US
Featherweight, AJ McKee (16-0)
McKee has very good wrestling and is able to land many takedowns in a fight. McKee’s athleticism means he can get the easy double leg or just suplex his opponent to the mat. On top, McKee moves well but his control and top position are what stand out. He is strong in the clinch and likes to use knees, and from range he’s started to use more of his kickboxing skills. McKee is also getting better at keeping his opponent at his preferred range. Even with his ever-improving striking, the mat is where he really shows his high skill level. He fights former Bellator champ Darrion Caldwell (14-3).
Welterweight, Jason Jackson (12-4)
Jackson is a good striker who is technical with an excellent jab and a crushing right hand. This product out of the former Blackzilians gym is a very good wrestler as well as being very well-rounded. He’s super athletic and seems to get better every time he fights. He fights well-known former UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson (28-9).
Welterweight, Joey Davis (7-0)
Davis is an unbeaten D2 wrestler at 133-0. Davis has looked pretty stellar for the most part in his MMA career. He’s used his excellent wrestling and ferocious ground and pound, the latter probably being his best aspect by far. The wrestler though is very athletic and explosive. Davis has finished the fight with both his hands and his kicks. He really looks to be a big deal at only 26-years old. He fights Bobby Lee (12-4) who is his toughest test to date.
Bantamweight, Keith Lee (7-3)
Don’t be deceived by Lee’s record with three losses. His losses are all to very good fighters. Keith is the younger brother of UFC star and top contender Kevin Lee. Keith is very exciting and is extremely well-rounded with excellent cardio. On the feet, Lee has a nice jab and throws a lot of kicks. He’s an even better wrestler who actually out-wrestled an excellent wrestler in Shawn Bunch. He fights Raufeon Stots (14-1).
Bantamweight, Raufeon Stots (14-1)
Raufeon Stots is a former NCAA Division II national champion in wrestling at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The only loss on his MMA record came to current UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili. Stots is a fantastic wrestler but his stand-up has come along nicely with some good Muay Thai and a developing jab. Still, the Roufusport product is primarily a wrestler. His timing on his shots is excellent and the execution is perfect. It’s going to take a good fighter to beat Stots and to neutralize his wrestling. He fights Keith Lee (7-3).
Welterweight, Jaleel Willis (13-2)
Jaleel Willis is quite athletic and a top-notch wrestler. On top, he has the control, the transitions, and the ground-and-pound to excel. Willis is everything you want in a fighter, especially in terms of wrestling. On the feet, he does hold a lot of power in his hands. Willis still has some things to learn but is a bright prospect. He fights Mark Lemminger (11-2) who is a good prospect as well.
Featherweight, Jay Jay Wilson (6-0)
Wilson has only been a pro for a little over two years and has looked good. The Kiwi has displayed beautiful jiu-jitsu and showed once he gets the back he has a fantastic rear-naked choke. Still, there is a lot he needs to show but Wilson is someone to watch out for. His striking looked good in his last fight and many thought he shoul of lost that fight. He fights Sergio DeBari (5-1).
CFFC 89 | Thurday | US
Welterweight, Christien Savoie (8-0)
Savoie has competed at both middleweight and welterweight. He’s won titles in both weight classes inside Canadian promotion Elite 1 MMA. Savoie is mainly a grinder who will push the pace in close quarters. He wants to take the fight to the mat where his ground and pound is excellent landing at a solid rate with good shots from a short amount of distance. The undefeated record says it all. He fights Bassil Hafez (5-2-1) for the title.
One Championship | Friday | Singapore
Lightweight, Chang Min Yoon (4-0)
Yoon trains out of Team Stun Gun under the main man himself, former UFC fighter Dong Hyun Kim. Yoon doesn’t throw with a lot of output but throws a good jab, a one-two, and hits hard. On the feet, his best weapon is his heavy leg kicks. Yoon is a much better fighter once he gets the fight on the mat. He possesses some tactical grappling, transitioning effortlessly. Yoon is a submission threat as well with three submissions in his pro career. He fights Ryogo Takahashi (13-4).
