On Friday, LFA hosts its 100th event, and a handful of MMA Prospects will be in action. Among them, a couple of undefeated fighters in Gerald Scott, and Christian Natividad.
Let’s get on with the Weekly MMA Prospect Report.
LFA 100 | US | Friday
Lightweight, Gerald Scott (4-0)
Scott is an under-the-radar fighter who has a bright future. He’s competed in both boxing and kickboxing bouts to refine his all-around skills on the feet. Scott has good movement being very light on his feet. He throws often with his legs and has some sniper striking from the outside. Scott has even better wrestling and a solid ground game. He’s well-rounded and only 26 so the future looks promising. He fights Tommy Aaron (6-4).
Bantamweight, Christian Natividad (2-0)
Natividad is only 2-0 as a pro but in those two fights, he’s looked good. In both fights, Natividad put his power on full display with a pair of huge knockout wins. Outside of huge power in his hands, he also has a background in wrestling. The last name sounds familiar because he’s the younger brother of UFC fighter Kevin Natividad. He fights Evan Woolsey (1-1).
OFC 2 | Russia | Saturday
Featherweight, Elismar Lima (23-7)
The 32-year-old Brazilian Lima has been in the sport for nine years and despite enduring a lot of setbacks, he’s had more success. At least in the last five years, he’s only lost to good fighters and on the other side has beat good fighters. Lima is a dangerous striker with a lot of pop in his hands, his forward movement, his accuracy, and his bodywork. His biggest issue is his takedown defense but he does well off his back. He’s competed in some grappling matches but at least in MMA he hasn’t been a submission threat. He’s still a threat overall with good top position and ground and pound. He fights Viktor Kolesnik (18-5).
Welterweight, Sharaf Davlatmurodov (16-3-1)
Davlatmurodov is a fun fighter with a lot of good experience. He has wins over some good competition and has lost to only solid fighters. On the feet, Davlatmurodov throws a lot of volume throwing with different patterns and mixing it up very well. He has good kickboxing and from the outside has real good long striking. Mixing it up, Davlatmurodov will explode on the hips taking his opponents down. At times he can be too aggressive on the mat but has RNC’s for a reason. He’s really good. mostly just needing to improve small things— but the takedown defense should be his biggest concern. He fights Adriano Balby (16-3).
MMA-Series 26 | Russia | Friday
Light heavyweight, Oleg Popov (9-1)
Popov is a wrestler who looks to have at least some decent power in his hands. He’s an aggressive guy constantly shooting and what he lacks in size he makes up for with his strength. Not entirely someone who will blow you away on the mat but he has some heavy top control. Popov is getting better and better with each fight. He fights Abdul Elwahab Saeed (4-0-1).
FEN 32 | Friday | Poland
Lightweight, Mateusz Rębecki (12-1)
Rebecki is a BJJ black belt and is a two-time gold medalist in ADCC (Poland). He trains out of Berserker Team with fighters like Michal Materla, Tomasz Narkun, and many more established veterans. Rebecki is a bit one-dimensional being solely a grappler but in that area, he’s just so dangerous and that’s on top or bottom. He fights Jose Barrios Vargas (11-1).
AMC Fight Nights | Russia | Saturday
Heavyweight, Yusup Shuaev (6-0-1)
Shuaev is a 6’4″ heavyweight that’s flying under the radar. On the feet, he has a clubbing style. He throws a lot of wide looping hooks. Not the most technical but he hits hard and is rapid. Shuaev does have a good jab he pumps out. He’s better once he gets the fight to the mat. He has heavy top position and rains down a lot of ground and pound. He fights Zuluzinho (12-9, 1NC).
