PFL Challenger Series 2 | US | Friday
Welterweight, Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi (16-3)
Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi is well-rounded with exceptional cardio and that has won him the Brave CF welterweight title twice. On the feet, once he gets warmed up, he’s a skilled striker. I like the way he kicks the legs after combinations. His striking defense could be better and so could his takedown defense but I think he’s at his best on the mat. He has five submissions and can threaten from both the top and bottom. Al-Silawi has good jiu-jitsu and while he is a bit more of a slower fighter, he has good technique. He fights Michael Lilly(7-6).
Welterweight, Dilano Taylor (6-1)
Taylor’s nickname is The Postman and that’s because he delivers. A product out of Sanford MMA, Tayor is someone I have high praise for. With one sole loss as a pro, it was to Bellator’s Roman Faraldo so no shame in that. On the feet, Taylor fights long very well and the striking he has is really crisp. He’s a big strong welterweight slinging and powering guys down to the mat. Taylor has some solid ground and pound and a good ground game all around. His only concern is his takedown defense and fighting off his back but at 25 the sky is the limit. He fights Mark Martin (7-1).
Welterweight, Mark Martin (7-1)
Martin was a highly touted wrestler when he was active. Some of his accolades include being a Fila junior national champ, a two-time Ohio high school state champ, and a three-time D1 national qualifier from Ohio State University. Martin is obviously a strong wrestler and will decide the wrestle the entire fight. He also strikes his way into wrestling attempts well. Martin has a good submission attack and has gone three rounds already so that looks good. He does need some work overall though. Martin fights Dilano Taylor (7-1).
LFA 125 | US | Friday
Strawweight, Jaqueline Amorim (4-0)
Amorim is a highly touted jiu-jitsu ace that made the transition to MMA not even a year ago. Some of her accomplishments in BJJ are being IBJJF World Champion, IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, CBJJ Brasil Champion, and more. So far Amorim has easily closed the distance, got the takedown, moved to a dominant position, and finished with a sub. Her first three finishes are by submission and all three by different subs. Not just a jiu-jitsu player Amorim scored a 10-second knockout from the right hand in her last fight. She fights Loveth Young (3-1-1).
Strawweight, Loveth Young (3-1-1)
Young is already 32 and doesn’t have an appealing record. With that said, her sole loss came to current UFC fighter Vanessa Demopoulos, and she arguably won that fight. Young won by submission in her first pro win but is a cerebral striker. Among all strawweights, Young has some of the biggest knockout power in her hands. Everything she throws is to knock you out. As she is a head hunter she will switch up her angles and goes to the body well. She fights Jaqueline Amorim (4-0).
Welterweight, Solomon Renfro (8-2)
Renfro may have lost his last fight but I and many others thought he won that fight. It’s evident that Renfro has massively improved over his last few fights. Ever since training at Tiger Schulmann he’s a much better fighter. Renfro does have good wrestling and is physically strong. On the feet, Renfro has fast hands with clubbing power — a dangerous duo. He attacks everywhere too including leg kicks and attacking the body. He fights Adam Fugitt (7-2).
Featherweight, Michael Stack (6-1)
Stack is pretty well-rounded and on a two-fight win streak. On the feet he is dangerous but doesn’t care too much for defense. Stack does have some good hands, going high and low ripping the body and coming over the top. He’s a better wrestler having wrestled in high school and on top, he throws active ground and pound. He fights Caio Gregorio (7-3).
Heavyweight, Jimmy Lawson (3-1)
Lawson came into MMA with some hype riding off a solid wrestling career. Lawson wrestled for Penn State. He helped win two national championships and earned All-American status in 2015. Lawson was also a really good football player. He lost his debut but would win his next three. Although wrestling is his base he has proved to have power in his hands as well. He fights Taylor Escamilla (1-0).
Deep 106 | Japan | Friday
Flyweight, Makoto Takahashi (12-1-1)
Takahashi has only one finish and even though that’s not too exciting it says a lot about his gas tank. His stand-up is decent. He throws good volume but the technique is a work in progress. Takahashi is a strong grappler though and will even pull guard at times. He’s really smooth in transitions and taking the back. Not a huge submission threat but will break someone with his constant movement. He fights Yamato Fujita (8-3).
UAE Warriors 26 | Abu Dhabi | Saturday
Bantamweight, Ali Taleb (5-0)
Taleb is a Muay Thai based fighter that has been impressive. He fights with his hands high and lets everything go. Taleb puts his hands together well and has some pop behind his punches. Being a Muay Thai guy Taleb of course favors knees, leg kicks, and elbows. He even has a decent ground game if needed. Not many guys can go toe to toe with Taleb. He fights Mahmoud Mando (5-1).
ACA 136 | Russia | Saturday
Flyweight, Aren Akopyan (12-2-1)
From Russia, Akopyan is quietly one of the best prospects out of the country. On the feet, he’s a quick guy with a lot of bounce and movement. He does a good job throwing out feints and freezing opponents while being able to let his hands go. He’s an even better wrestler and his ground game is very dangerous. He fights Imran Bukuev (13-2).
Flyweight, Imran Bukuev (13-2)
A product out of Akhmat Fight Club, Bukuev has been a top flyweight out of Russia for the last few years. Bukuev is at his best with his wrestling, where he is extremely strong, and the work on the mat is even better. He has six submissions including a flying triangle. Sometimes he can be a bit too flashy on the feet with one too many flying knees but he is very quick and moves very well. He fights Aren Akopyan (12-2-1).
Oktagon 31 | Czech Republic | Saturday
Lightweight, Losene Keita (7-0)
Keita isn’t the most proven fighter but has a lot of potential. With each fight, he’s looked better and better. He is a well-rounded fighter who has no issue taking fights to the mat. Keita is more of a dangerous guy on the feet, however. His speed, athleticism, and explosiveness is scary. He fights Ronald Paradeiser (13-7).
