Featherweight, Movlid Khaybulaev (16-0-1)
Khaybulaev is a very solid fighter all around, and he is really technical in his stand-up. He throws a lot of spinning attacks, not overdoing it, but that is a good thing. Khaybulaev uses the flying knee often, which he’s used to knock out opponents. With that said, he also has good wrestling; he is able to shoot in for a double leg or he can lift and slam you to the mat. Khaybulaev can usually get the fight down multiple times in a bout. He fights Lance Palmer (22-4).
Heavyweight, Renan Ferreira (6-2)
“Problema” is a giant standing at 6’10” who comes out of Rio de Janeiro, Ferreira through six victories has a perfect finish rate. All those finishes have come by TKO mostly by ground-and-pound. On the feet, he does hit hard, has heavy leg kicks, and a good jab. Ferreira, a problem on the mat being such a big guy, does not let up with his heavy ground strikes. His wrestling isn’t great but he uses his size to get the fight down. He fights Stuart Austin (15-6).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f48Yq3ZrwQ
Bellator 261 | US | Friday
Heavyweight, Valentin Moldavsky (10-1)
Moldavsky is mainly a wrestler. He knows how to effectively position himself for the takedown, whether that is in the clinch, where he is at his strongest, being able to control the position. Or if he just grabs a single leg for the takedown. On top, Moldavsky is as heavy as you can be as he is strong on top due to his background in Sambo. On the feet, he doesn’t go right for the knockout as he is more of a counter striker with a lot of power coupled with solid defense. He fights Tim Johnson (15-6).
Light-heavyweight, Christian Edwards (4-0)
Edwards is only 4-0 as a professional but went 3-0 as an amateur as well. Edwards is one of the hottest prospects today coming out of Jackson-Wink MMA and is a sparring partner of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. A young kid but he has the attributes to go really far in this sport. Edwards has some sick Thai clinch work with nice knees and elbows. He lands often stepping in with strikes and finishes in the clinch with excellent work. Also mixing in a few takedowns while showing solid cardio. He’s also already gone three rounds and looked really good. He fights Simon Biyong (7-1).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bps5DI6pQiM&t=2s
Light-heavyweight, Simon Biyong (7-1)
Biyong doesn’t have much to offer on the feet as he’s uncomfortable for the most part. He is a decent wrestler and once he solidifies top position he’s right at home. Biyong not only has stopping ability with his ground and pound but is smart going to the head-body. He is one-dimensional but really good in that one area. He fights Christian Edwards (4-0).
Lightweight, Soren Bak (14-1)
With one blemish on his record, Soren Bak has been an absolute force dominating in all of his wins. He doesn’t have much in the stand-up department, but he’s been improving and has shown glimpses of power in his hands. The wrestling and the grappling though is outstanding with an incredible top game, with vicious ground and pound and natural skills to pass guard. Bak has six submissions and has shown a diverse attack once he gets the fight to the mat. “The True Viking” is also a very smart but aggressive fighter who could have a bright future. He fights Bobby Lee (12-5).
Shamrock FC 330 | US | Friday
Lightweight, Evan Elder (4-0)
Elder is a young kid at 24-years-old with a high ceiling. His level of competition as a pro is weak but he’s performed as expected. He’s at his best once on the mat and the wrestling to get there has been solid thus far. Elder has solid transitional grappling moving freely on top being very glue-like as well. He has good ground and pound that eventually leads to him finishing with a submission. Elder is also pretty good on the feet with good output and mixing in strikes and kicks together well with solid footwork. He’ll swing some looping hooks and that allows him to close the distance better. He fights CJay Hunter (6-6-1).
Cage Warriors 125 | UK | Saturday
Welterweight, Ian Garry (6-0)
Among all the top prospects from the UK/Ireland, Garry stands out as the future. In his young career, Garry has already proven to be extremely well-rounded, fought through adversity, and has already improved greatly. Garry is a dangerous fighter on the feet with a long jab and a flashy kicking arsenal. He likes to stay standing but does have an underrated ground game as well. He fights Jack Grant (17-6).
Lightweight, Tobias Harila (9-1)
Harila is a warrior that has gone out on his shield each time out. His takedown defense is his biggest problem but he does a good job getting back up. His striking defense needs work but Harila is extremely tough and will take damage to give some. Harila does slow as the fight progresses but never stops fighting. Harila has good striking with good power and most importantly his work rate is super impressive. He fights William Gomis (6-2).
