No UFC, Bellator, PFL, or Invicta. No ONE Championship, KSW, or LFA. With most of the larger and smaller promotions taking the week off, you might think Triller’s Holyfield vs. Belfort card was your best bet for MMA over the next few days, even if it was MMA fighters boxing. But there are a few promotions with shows this weekend — here’s a look at the prospects who stand out.
OKTAGON 27 | Slovakia | Saturday
Featherweight, Vojto Barborik (13-1)
Currently on an eleven-fight win streak, Vojto Barborik’s only loss is to a good fighter in Tomas Deak. Barborik is primarily a wrestler who chains together his takedown attempts well. He’s a monster on top with active and heavy ground and pound. He’s very sound with nasty elbows and heavy hammer fists. Barborik doesn’t have many TKO stoppages mind you as ten of his wins are via submission. He fights the well-known Ivan Buchinger (38-7).
Eternal MMA 61 | Australia | Saturday
Lightweight, Daniel Hill (5-0)
Not far into his career Hill has stopped a lot of momentum from other countrymen. He was the one to snap a five-fight win streak from Josh Togo. He also beat David Martinez who is a solid prospect. Hill is well-rounded and gets better as the fight goes. He gets taken down and hit a lot but never goes away. Hill has good striking and will take damage to get in a few shots. He’s even better on the mat. He will take any position given to him. Not a great fighter anywhere but so tough. Hill fights Jack Becker (8-2).
ACA 128 | Belarus | Saturday
Bantamweight, Vazha Tsiptauri (10-1-1)
Tsiptauri is a native out of Georgia who is an underrated prospect. He’s a really well-rounded dangerous guy who is tough to figure out. Tsiptauri is a ball of output always throwing something. He’s really kick-heavy on the feet but never lets off the gas. He kicks more than he punches but puts it together well. Tsiptauri is a solid wrestler too. His timing on his shots is off what he does on the feet. He blends it all together so well. Tsiptauri is a very capable grappler. He is a submission threat and is always working to improve his position. He has it all. Tsiptauri fights Ruslan Abiltarov (23-10-1).
Open Fighting Championship | Russia | Saturday
Welterweight, Sharaf Davlatmurodov (18-3-1)
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 he has RNC’s for a reason. He’s really good. Mostly he just needs to improve small things— but the takedown defense should be his biggest concern. He fights Yasubey Enomoto (22-12).
