For the second time in a month, “Reug Reug” (Oumar Kane) is in action for ONE Championship, leading the way for MMA prospects. Let’s get right to this week’s Prospect Report.
ONE on TNT 4 | Singapore | Wednesday
Heavyweight, Reinier de Ridder (13-0)
Don’t let Reinier de Ridder’s stand-up game fool you: ten of his twelve finishes have come by submission. He’s great in the clinch, and Ridder fights well at a distance as he has an excellent jab. When he lets his hands go, he is really accurate. de Ridder throws good long strikes and puts together strikes and kicks well. The mat is where de Ridder wants to be, as he is an expert jiu-jitsu practitioner — the sort who can time perfect double-leg takedowns. If de Ridder is in the clinch, expect him to get the takedown as his hips are excellent and judo tosses are his best weapon. On top, or even on the mat in general, Ridder is the one in control. He is always moving and searching for submissions and that’s why he has eight submission wins. He fights Aung La N Sang (26-11) who he recently beat.
Heavyweight, Oumar Kane (3-0)
Kane is an undefeated Senegalese Wrestling Champion and he has displayed just that in his MMA career. Kane is only 3-0 but has beaten experienced guys in his first two fights (his third opponent was a short-notice situation). So far, he’s blitzed through guys. He has problems on the outside but he’ll bull rush his way in with big powerful hands. Once Kane closes the distance he has a knack for suplexing guys to the mat in emphatic fashion. When he bullies guys to the mat a barrage of relentless ground strikes comes until the ref steps in. Still green but he’s looked the part. He fights Kirill Grishenko (3-0).
PFL #2 | US | Thursday
Welterweight, Nikolay Aleksakhin (25-5)
Aleksakhin is on the verge of shaking the prospect label. With thirty-one fights now on his record this will be the last time I consider him a prospect. His only loss is to high-caliber fighters, including Ben Askren. Now he is on a six-fight win streak with victories over Mike Graves, Dominique Steele, and Elias Silverio, who are all former UFC fighters. He also has a win over current UFC fighter Jesse Ronson. Aleksakhin is an excellent talent who is solid all around. He has superb timing with big power in everything he throws. The Russian does a great job throwing his strikes and kicks together and has proven that once he lets go, he’s dangerous in bursts. He fights Sadibou Sy (8-5-2).
Combate Global | US | Thursday
Strawweight, Criszaida Adames (3-0)
Going 4-0 as an amateur, Adames is only 3-0 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 Karen Cedillo (4-1).
UWC Mexico 26 | Mexico | Thursday
Welterweight, Michael Morales (10-0)
Morales did all he could possibly do in 2020. The young 20-year-old secured three wins in the year and all three came with Morales finishing his opponent. In his last bout, he won the vacant EMMA welterweight title. Morales is a tall welterweight at 6’3″ using his length well. He throws good leg kicks and long straight strikes. He does hold his hands low but he’s comfortable with his distance control. Morales don’t have the power but does have the output and volume. He fights Romario Orozco (3-0).
Oktagon 23 | Czech Republic | Friday
Strawweight, Ewelina Woźniak (4-0)
At only 4-0, Wozniak has still had some solid experience. She had an impressive 7-2 amateur record. As a pro she hasn’t fought anyone with a losing record. Wozniak is the former Contender Norwich champion going five rounds. In her last fight, she beat Magdaléna Šormová who is a top prospect. On the feet, she has a good one-two and her right hand is like a cocked gun. She already has a highlight-reel right-hand knockout which was a sensational knockout. Wozniak has solid wrestling and holds her own in the grappling. Her takedown defense struggles but she scrambles well. She fights Elizabeth Rodrigues (4-2).
Bantamweight, Tereza Bledá (2-0)
Bledá is only 2-0 but prior to turning pro she took part in the Oktagon Underground tournament. Bleda won three fights in three months and was crowned as the Underground winner. In that tournament, she beat good prospects in Magdaléna Šormová and Lucia Szabová while also beating former UFC fighter Lucie Pudilová. Doing that with little experience is super impressive. Outside of some nice leg kicks she utilizes Bleda doesn’t have much to offer on the feet. Where Bleda excels is when using the excellent wrestling she has. Once she gets it to the mat she has nasty ground n’ pound and smooth jiu-jitsu. She fights Karoline Martins (7-3).
Lightweight, Leo Brichta (7-3)
Like Tereza Bleda mentioned above, Brichta is an Oktagon Underground tournament winner. Brichta is a very talented, skilled guy who is well-rounded. He’s a volume fighter throwing frequent combinations with his hands and has dangerous kickboxing. Brichta has solid wrestling and his best work is on the mat on top. He passes guard easily and transitions very well. He has ferocious damaging ground and pound with smashing elbows. If he doesn’t send the ref in to stop the fight he will create openings and take the neck for the sub. Brichta fights Kirill Medvedovski (12-8).
LFA 106 | US | Friday
Light-heavyweight, Joshua Silveira (4-0)
Living in Coconut Creek, Florida Silveira trains out of American Top Team under head coach and his father Conan Silveira. He’s only 4-0 but went 4-0 as an amateur so he does have experience. Not high-level experience but in the gym every day with some of the best at ATT. Silveira wrestled in College for Arizona State University and was a Florida high school state champ. With that wrestling pedigree always in his back pocket, he’s able to let loose on the feet. His shot selection is very on-point with his hands and his left high kick is very sneaky and dangerous. Silveira really checks all the boxes and is a major prospect. He fights Rafael Viana (6-1).
Heavyweight, Trevor Wallace (4-0)
There isn’t a lot of footage on Wallace but he has looked good in his last two fights. Though he did look good it’s tough to get a read off two finishes in under a minute. He comes from playing football and bodybuilding so the athleticism is there. Wallace also has competed in Muay Thai. Wallace throws heavy leg kicks and has big power in his hands. He still needs to show a bunch more but he may be a top prospect in the making. He fights Bubba Grant (7-6).
Don’t miss our interview with Wallave ahead of LFA 106.
FFC 45 | Ecuador | Saturday
Flyweight, Jose Ochoa (4-0)
Ochoa is extremely wild in his approach but he comes in like a tornado hitting from everywhere. Ochoa is all about output and will walk guys down and lunge across the cage with superman punches and switch knees. Ochoa does a nice job mixing in kicks and punches and hides kicks behind his punches well. If he settles down more he will be a threat in the coming years. He fights Franklin Grifo (2-3).
