It’s a somewhat quiet week on the prospect front, but there are some gems in action. From the U.S. to Russia to Japan, here’s who to watch out for in terms of MMA prospects.
ACA 132 | Belarus | Friday
Flyweight, Bidzina Gavasheshvili (8-2)
Gavasheshvili, from Georgia, is a European combat sambo champion. His only loss in six years is to thriving UFC flyweight Mudaerji Su. Gavasheshvili is exciting, well-rounded, and dominant. He fights Josiel Silva (14-5).
CFFC 103 | US | Friday
Bantamweight, DeAndre Anderson (5-0)
Anderson was a successful Alabama high school wrestler and football player. He won a state championship in wrestling and amassed a 154-15 record throughout high school. It wasn’t until 2016 when he transitioned from those sports to MMA. Wanting to round off his overall skill-set, he has been competing in kickboxing and boxing while doing MMA. He has a 1-2 boxing record and a 1-1 kickboxing record. Competing in different disciplines has really improved his stand-up which is a huge compliment to a strong wrestling base. He fights Da’Mon Blackshear (10-4).
Rizin 32 | Japan | Saturday
Atomweight, Rena Kubota (11-3)
Kubota is a professional kickboxer/shootboxer with all the credentials in the world. Kubota is the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 shootboxing champion, with a record of 23-5. RENA’s MMA career is still burgeoning but she has looked very impressive with her striking, kickboxing, and surprisingly her submissions skills. Impressively, Rena has hit two submissions already. A flying armbar and a cravat choke. She fights Miyuu Yamamoto (6-5).
RCC | Russia | Friday
Heavyweight, Alexander Soldatkin (10-3)
Soldatkin is a big, muscular guy and someone you don’t expect to throw a lot of spinning attacks — but that’s exactly what he does. The big man doesn’t overuse the flashy attacks but uses them just to keep his opponent guessing. Someone with his power and athleticism alone is a threat. There is still a lot of concerns going forward with him. He fights Edivan Santos (12-3).
Fight Club Rush 10 | Sweeden | Saturday
Bantamweight, Felipe Lima (10-1)
Brazil’s Lima has massive potential. He has gone the distance five times and that don’t mean he lacks the killer instinct because he goes after it. Of the footage available he’s a striker first but is a good wrestler and grapples very well. On the feet, Lima is a dynamic striker. He’s an athletic fighter guy that favors the flying knee. He goes body-head better than most and does it often. Lima has excellent shot placement being active in what he throws. The 23-year-old out of Allstars Training Center has a bright future. He fights Evgeny Odnorog (21-6).
Strawweight, Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (2-0)
Knutsson may be only two fights into her pro career but has an extensive kickboxing career. Her kickboxing record is 27-5 and she has beat girls like Mellony Geugjes and Kana Morimoto. Her two MMA fights have been against more experienced fighters. Knutsson will have her takedown defense and so far she hasn’t been taken down. Instead, Knutsson has been the one getting takedowns. On the feet though she’s looked great. Knutsson fights with a lot of volume, feints, and power. She throws combinations alone with her legs but her striking altogether is so good. Knutsson is the real deal. She fights Lanchana Green (4-3-1).
