“Well I realized that something serious happened. I didn’t know exactly what happened. I don’t know if you noticed earlier in the fight when we were scrambling I kicked him with a knee in the cage. So I didn’t know whether that was an aftereffect of that. Once I kicked him in the leg then I realized I punctured him,” Shabliy told reporters through a translator at his post-fight scrum.

Shabliy went on to say that he wanted to tell the judges that he didn’t kick him in the groin, but his team told him to calm down and wait to see what happens.

“You see the outcome now,” he said.

Advancing to the next round of the Bellator lightweight grand prix with no date set for his second round matchup the lightweight said he wasn’t going to sit around too long.

“I definitely know it’s going to be a busy year so I’m not planning to rest too much. Maybe I’m going to go home, stay there for a week or so see family, but yeah we’re going to wait for the next announcement (on) who’s going to be the next opponent. Then we’re going to start training right away because I don’t want to waste any time,” said Shabliy.

Asked whether he has a preferred opponent in mind Shabliy said, “I don’t have really (a) preference as I said. I want one and then give me the other one right after. I train with American Top Team. We have top guys so I’ve seen it all.”

“Either one is worthy.”

The fight with Mosayev was very technical for as long as it lasted, but Shabliy said he had got touched more in training that he did in the fight.

“Preparing and training for this fight I had more punches to my head than I had within this fight,” he said.

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Alexandr Shabliy above.

The post Bellator 292: Alexandr Shabliy Says He Got Hit More In Training Than In The Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

Musayev (20-4) recently competed in Rizin FF’s grand prix, and now enters another one this time with Bellator.

“It motivates me. We have a lot of great fighters here, top talent, and it just motivates me to compete with them,” Musayev told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’ve had tough fights previously in my career, but I’ve always showed grit and character. Did whatever it takes to win and I’m planning to do the same in this tournament.”

A lot of fans who pay attention to the sport, hardcore fans if you will, have been calling this fight the best one on the card.

“It’s time to change the game a little bit. I’m looking forward to this fight, it’s a great fight, and I’m looking forward to putting on a show inshallah for all the fans. It’s just something that I look forward to, to represent my country at the highest level possible,” he said.

The fight with Shabliy looks like it’ll be a very competitive fight that should live up to the hype.

“Our styles are a little similar that’s why I think we’ve got to do some adjustments to the game. Overall I think it’s a good fight that expects us. Everyone has got their own plan,” said Musayev.

“We’ve got our own plan that we’ve got to execute. My plan is to finish it early.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Musayev above. He takes on Alexandr Shabliy at Bellator 292 in the first round of the lightweight grand prix on Friday night in San Jose, CA.

The post Bellator 292: Tofiq Musayev ‘My Plan Is To Finish It Early’ appeared first on Cageside Press.

“It’s been long way coming. Since the first fight was COVID times there was no audience, nobody in attendance, so I didn’t quite understand what’s going on. You know I won and they took me right out. I didn’t get to enjoy my emotions. Then pretty much on the third fight, when it was with (Brent) Primus, I kind of got into the feel of it and I kind of start feeling myself,” Shabliy told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.

“Obviously now going to grand prix this is the greatest thing Bellator could put together. All the guys are world-level athletes, and definitely I’m excited to be here.”

Being a part of the Bellator lightweight grand prix is a big deal for the men who were chosen to be in it. Some lightweights were upset that they were not added into the grand prix so to have a spot in the tournament is a big deal for the Shabliy.

“Definitely grand prix is very exciting. It’s an unparalleled event. Nothing like that happened before. Plus for me it’s a great opportunity. Keep in mind that for me it’s the first time fighting five rounds so that’s a great experience, I’m going to learn a lot from that, and again I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

To take on an athlete like Mosayev in the first round of a grand prix is quite the challenge for any fighter, and Shabliy isn’t taking him lightly.

“I knew Tofiq before as a fighter. I kind of had a feeling we might cross paths at some point. I just didn’t realize it’s going our first matchup. I thought maybe it’s going to be later on towards maybe the belt. He’s a great fighter, and it’s going to be a great opportunity for me,” he said.

With many of the hardcore fans following both Shabliy and Musayev calling this the best fight on the card it’s destined to be a special fight.

“I think fights like that are pretty much going to be good in any league. It’s just the level of Tofiq, again I don’t want to by any means underestimate him, and I think I’m a great fighter. Many organizations would pay good money to see fights like that,” he said.

“Kudos to Bellator for organizing all this.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Alexandr Shabliy above. He takes on Tofiq Musayev at Bellator 292 on Friday night in San Jose, CA.

The post Bellator 292: Alexandr Shabliy Says Fight With Mosayev Is Special appeared first on Cageside Press.

In this feature, we take six journalists including our own Shawn Bitter, plus four hardcore MMA fans/Podcasters to get their take on who the UFC should sign by year’s end. So far this year, the UFC has signed major prospects like Jiri Prochazka, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Roman Bogatov, Umar Nurmagomedov, Jai Herbert, Manel Kape, Modestas Bukauskas, Nate Landwehr and more. Here, each member of our panel will give their picks on who they think the UFC should sign by the end of 2020.

The Journalists

Shawn Bitter

Middleweight, Roberto Soldic (17-3): Soldic has beaten some stiff competition in his career including Lewis Long (16-5), Borys Mańkowski (19-7-1), and Dricus Du Plessis (12-2), winning five titles including the KSW middleweight title. Soldic is easily one of the best welterweights on the global scene and the UFC would be very wise to try and pry him from KSW. Soldic is always coming forward and always looking for the finish in a controlled chaos manner. KSW has had talent that went to the UFC like Jan Błachowicz, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Aleksei Oleinik, and others.

Featherweight, Igeu Kabesa (12-1): Kabesa’s only loss is to UFC fighter Danny Henry, which was a rematch of their first meeting, which Kabesa won. Of the two, Kabesa has a much higher ceiling. “Smiley” is one of the two best prospects out of South Africa along with Demarte Pena. He is the current EFC Worldwide featherweight champion and on a four-fight win streak. Kabesa is a very decorated wrestler being a 10-time Wrestling Nationals Champion. He is young and solid everywhere. Kabesa has amazing wrestling and grappling, he can move well on the mat and can reach mount fairly easy. His striking is good too, moving in-and-out with explosive punches quickly and his slips and counters are solid.

Featherweight, Joanderson Brito (11-2-1): Brito has been on a roll since his last loss in 2015, going 10-0-1 in his last eleven fights. He’s fought for the likes of Future FC and Thunder Fight which are two top promotions out of Brazil. He’s also the former Fusion FC champ, a promotion based in Peru. In his most recent fight, he made his U.S. debut for LFA and beat a top prospect in Jose Mariscal. Brito is a bull walking his foes down and throwing huge looping hooks with big power. He’s a power striker on the feet but has some good wrestling and better top position to fall back on. He’s arguably the best prospect right now out of Brazil.

Featherweight, Salahdine Parnasse (14-0-1): Parnasse in my opinion is the best prospect worldwide. Parnasse didn’t really become noticeable until he signed with one of the biggest European organizations in KSW in late 2017.  In April of last year, Parnasse beat Roman Szymański to become the interim KSW featherweight champion. Last December he beat the well-known Ivan Buchinger to retain his interim title. Parnasse would prefer to keep the fight on the feet where he can use his effective movement and a good kickboxing base. This would be one of the biggest if not the biggest signing if somehow the UFC could snatch him up.

Strawweight, Melissa Martinez (7-0): Martinez is currently signed with Combate Americas and is their current 115-pound champion. Recently, Combate champion Gustavo Lopez was able to be released from his contract. Rafa Garcia who is also a champion there has vacated his contract to sign to another promotion. So there is hope for the UFC picking up Martinez. “Super Melly” has the ability to break an opponent down with her chopping leg kicks. She also displays a quick release with her dangerous head kick that she has won a couple of times with. She looks really promising at such a young age and so early in her career.

The post Prospects the UFC Should Sign by the End of 2020 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Titan FC 58 | Friday | US

Bantamweight: Danny Sabatello (6-0)

Danny Sabatello, only holding a 6-0 record in MMA, does have experience in wrestling as well. He’s a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier and a two-time 141-pound Big Ten Championships place winner. There really isn’t much footage on him, but of what is out there, his pressure and wrestling stand out. He also has a few stoppages on the feet. Sabatello is training with American Top Team, a top-notch camp, to help him along the way. He fights Titan FC champ, Irwin Rivera (8-4).

Heavyweight: Mohammed Usman (5-1)

Mohammed Usman certainly has hype behind him as he is a natural athlete, playing football growing up parallel to being a top wrestler in his high school. Mohammed is the younger brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman so athleticism and the talent run in the family. With each fight, he’s getting better and better. Usman is a guy who you don’t want on top of you. While his wrestling struggled in the past he’s gotten better. He’s still raw but has potential. He fights Reggie Cato (5-3).

Bellator 235 | Friday | US

Welterweight, Joey Davis (6-0)

Joey Davis is an unbeaten D2 wrestler at 133-0. Davis has looked pretty stellar for the most part in his MMA career. He’s used his excellent wrestling and ferocious ground and pound, the latter probably being his best aspect by far. The wrestler though is very athletic and explosive. Davis has finished the fight with both his hands and his kicks. He really looks to be a big deal at only 25-years old. He fights Chris Cisneros (19-10).

Thunderstrike Fight League 19 | Saturday | Poland

Middleweight: Cezary Kesik (10-0)

Cezary Kesik is very underrated and is one of the best, if not the best, Polish prospects out there. Kesik is exciting, bringing an aggressive kickboxing style with a lot of power in his hands with six finishes by way of KO/TKO. If needed, Kesik will take the fight down where he is really talented with position control and transitions. He fights Jussi Halonen (8-6).

SFT 19 | Saturday | Brazil

Welterweight: Diego Bianchini (6-0)

Diego Bianchini brings a Capoeira style on the feet as he throws a lot of switch kicks and spinning kicks. He is very explosive and a human highlight reel as he throws caution to the wind. He has a variety of superman punches, crazy elbows from odd angles, and he is very quick. The Brazilian is also good on the mat. He has slick jiu-jitsu and is dangerous on top or bottom with three submission wins. He fights Vandirson Alves (6-1).

Bellator 236 | Saturday | US

Featherweight: AJ McKee (15-0)

AJ McKee has very good wrestling and is able to land many takedowns in a fight. McKee’s athleticism means he can get the easy double leg or just suplex his opponent to the mat. On top, McKee moves well but his control and top position are what stand out. McKee’s striking is good and still improving, he is strong in the clinch and likes to use knees, and from range he’s started to use more of his kickboxing skills, even getting a head kick KO. McKee is also getting better at keeping his opponent at his preferred range. Even with his ever-improving striking, the mat is where he really shows his high skill level. He fights Derek Campos (20-9).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxxj6dAQye4&t=108s

Flyweight: Juliana Velasquez (9-0)

A product out of Team Nogueira, Juliana Velasquez holds an undefeated record with five finishes. She has a lot of things she needs to work on especially in terms of her stand-up. Velasquez has power in her hands but only throws one strike at a time and really lacks footwork where she just stands in front of her opponents. She has good judo and is at home on the mat where her jiu-jitsu shines. She fights Bruna Ellen (5-2).

Bantamweight, Raufeon Stots (12-1)

Raufeon Stots is a former NCAA Division II national wrestling champion at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. In June of last year, Stots suffered his only loss to current UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili. Since that loss, Stots has won his next four fights and is one of the best bantamweight prospects today. Stots is a fantastic wrestler but his stand-up has come along nicely. Along with some great movement, he is the total package. He fights Cheyden Leialoha (7-1). Check out our interview with Stots here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6VZNGnoxi0

ProFC 66 | Sunday | Russia

Lightweight, Alexandr Shabliy (18-3)

Alexandr Shabily, although violent, is an efficient counter fighter, reacting well to his opponent’s advances. His takedowns generally happen when his opponents try a takedown themselves, but he overpowers and throws them to the mat. On the ground he is very dangerous, winning by armbar, choke, triangle and leg lock, showing his versatility. On the feet, he is calm but he brings the heat when needed, and if he catches his opponent then he will try his best to end the fight, whether that be with his strikes or knees. Shabily is an intelligent fighter that makes very few mistakes. He fights Alexandre Cidade (14-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUymcVegz2U

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: A Short Week, but Still Stacked with Talent appeared first on Cageside Press.