Who should the UFC bring in this year? Let’s find out.

Here’s a look at last year’s list, featuring current UFC roster member Joanderson Brito signing with the UFC in 2021:

Aliyar Sarkerov
Anzor Abdulkhozhaev
Diego Lopes
Joanderson Brito
Jonas Bilharinho
Jung Young Lee
Mochamed Machaev
Morgan Charriere
Rudy Gavida
Salahdine Parnasse

It’s worth noting that Diego Lopes did get a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series. So too did Jonas Bilharinho. Parnasse remains under contract with KSW, and is their 145lb champion.

Before we get started, be sure to check out the other instalments in this series:

10 Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Light Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Middleweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Welterweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022
10 Lightweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022

The post 10 Featherweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2022 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bantamweight, Gamzat Magomedov (6-1)

This was a huge win for Russia’s Magomedov, handing Mochamed Machaev his first career loss. In an exchange, Magomedov caught Machaev with a right hand flooring him. Machaev rolled and as he got back to the feet he was still throwing, which is when Magomedov caught him with a left hand. That dropped him and the follow-up shots put him out cold. All that happened in under a minute and moved the win streak to four for Magomedov.
Grade: A-

Welterweight, Benoit Saint-Denis (8-0)

Saint-Denis blazed through his opponent with an easy first-round stoppage. He got a quick double leg takedown to start the fight. It was not long before Saint-Denis got into the mount to land some good ground and pound. The second time he got into mount he locked in an arm-triangle and his opponent tapped. One-way traffic.
Grade: A

Featherweight, Inglesson de Lara (4-0)

This was a frantic fight between Lara and his opponent Alex Sombra. Lara asserted himself right away landing a good combination. He was taken down but it wasn’t long before he got back up. Lara dropped Sombra briefly with a left hand as he got back up. When they separated Lara started to let loose. He landed a nice left hook to the body, a good right hand-knee combination, and a right-left that dropped Sombra. The follow-up shots put Sombra out.
Grade: C

Middleweight, Brunno Ferreira (4-0)

Ferreira took his opponent down with an outside trip. When he got the takedown, Ferreira landed right into side control. He transitioned into the mount, took the back, and sunk in the RNC for the submission win. Ferreira remains undefeated and still holds his 100% finish rate.
Grade: B-

Featherweight, Damon Wilson (2-0)

In round one Wilson showed a diverse attack landing a lot of combinations from a lot of angels. He took a lot of good shots but landed a lot of volume. In round two in only 18 seconds Wilson blitzed forward and a power right landed. It dropped his opponent and the follow-up punches sent the ref in. I was impressed with the striking and output of Wilson.
Grade: C+

Lightweight, Zac Pauga (4-0)

Despite being dropped and mounted in round one Pauga looked good. He got the takedown in each round but it was his striking that set him apart. Pauga landed a lot with his lead left hook and right hand. He landed that right hand many times with the hook, overhand, and the uppercut. He was landing everything from his right hand to a knee and in the clinch landed a few good elbows. Pauga looked good.
Grade: B+

Featherweight, Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (14-3-1)

Uulu fought a tough opponent in Ruslan Yamanbaev, who fought behind in this fight for the most part. Yamanbaev was cruising on the outside throwing a lot of kicks going to the body and legs. He started to take over in round one before Uulu slipped a punch and countered with a right-left. That put Yamanbaev on skates and Uulu landed a lot of shots to the jaw. In round two it was still a competitive fight as both were throwing heat. A right hand from Uulu and a flurry sat Yamanbaev down. It was a weird ending but Uulu showed good composure and picked his shots.
Grade: C+

Flyweight, Mansur Malachiev (10-0)

Russia’s Malachiev fought another good prospect in Rashid Vagabov who won his last five fights prior to this one. Malachiev threw an overhand to grab a leg to chain to a double leg to get a takedown. He had his arm trapped in a modified omoplata but was able to spin out. In a scramble, he locked in a ninja choke for the dub.
Grade: A-

Featherweight, Abdurakhman Gitinovasov (8-1)

Opponent Viktor Mitkov fought pretty carelessly in this fight, shooting in blindly against a much better wrestler in Gitinovasov. Round one and two were easy for Gitinovasov as he just defended a takedown and dominated with top control. In round three Mitkov threw a sloppy spinning back fist and Gitinovasov took the fight down. Mitkov was able to get back to his feet but Gitinovasov used a trip to a double leg for a beautiful takedown. A dominant showing from Gitinovasov.
Grade: B-

Welterweight, Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (10-0)

Mukhtarov let his hands go in this fight throwing with volume while going to the body and head. He kept up the forward pressure lunging forward with two punches at a time. He landed at the same rate with both his hands while mixing in some kicks as well. His opponent changed levels for a takedown in round three. He left his neck exposed and Mukhtarov sunk in a ninja choke. It was in there good and it put the guy out cold face first. Just a nasty finish to the fight.
Grade: B

Welterweight, Shakhban Alkhasov (5-0)

This fight was nothing but domination for Alkhasov. With his long reach, he pawed with straight punches, head kicks, and even a wheel kick before he closed the distance. He used a strong body lock to get the takedown. When he landed in half-guard that’s where he finished it posturing up and putting his opponent out cold with the von flue choke.
Grade: A-

Bantamweight, Jean Matsumoto (9-0)

Matsumoto who is the SFT flyweight champion, moved up to bantamweight and won that title as well in August. His opponent Wanderley Junior was the champ and this fight was a back and forth scrap. Both men had a knockdown in round one. Matsumoto was dropped with a punch and he dropped Junior with a head kick. Both landed tons of volume with leg kicks, bodywork, and head strikes. Both scored takedowns and had submission attempts. Matsumoto just had more moments.
Grade: B+

Bantamweight, Francesco Patron Manzo (8-0)

Manzo looked outstanding here to keep his undefeated record. He marched his opponent down chopping the legs and throwing punches in bunches. He let go with his offense and was landing a lot of volume. At one point Manzo almost secured a kneebar finish. Manzo landed a left hook to the body to a right leg kick putting his opponent down. He jumped on the back and from there locked in an armbar for the tap. Excellent and beautiful transition to a submission.
Grade: A

Strawweight, Tania Torres (5-0)

LUX held an eight-women strawweight tournament and in the end, it was down to Torres and Saray Orozco. This fight was a war that came down to determination and heart. Torres was dropped with a head kick in round two but survived and bit down on her mouth guard and fought back. Torres, when she let her hands go, was ripping combinations to the body and head. She found the target frequently with her hands and threw a lot of knees as well. On the other side she took a lot of damage but just had more bright moments herself.
Grade: C+

Bantamweight, Ryan Kuse (4-0)

Kuse showed a good skillset overall in a second-round stoppage. On the feet he maintained distance very well landing at will with kicks and long punches. He got a takedown in round one and dominated in top position. He got a takedown in round two and that’s where he found the finish. Kuse went between the mount and the back multiple times before the ground and pound sent the ref in.
Grade: B

Featherweight, Tom Pagliarulo (2-0)

The 6’0″ Pagliarulo is a real problem and he showed that in this fight. He had good movement and was snipping on the outside with his punches and landed two glancing head kicks. Pagliarulo was landing at will and picking his shots. His opponent threw a blind leg kick and Pagliarulo caught it and countered with a straight right. The initial shot put the guy out cold and the ref stepped in. Brutal finish and perfectly set up.
Grade: A

Lightweight, Eddy George (4-0)

His opponent came out with some type of jumping wheel kick which missed by a mile. George responded with a combination to an easy takedown. He quickly got into mount and unloaded with ground and pound. George unloaded with elbows and even though his opponent was covering up he wasn’t moving. The ref eventually stepped in.
Grade: C+

Welterweight, Andreeas Binder (3-0)

Binder breezed past his opponent with a first-round stoppage. He opened up with a few hard outside leg kicks and looping hooks. He used a body lock to get the takedown into side control. Binder got into mount and went off with smashing ground and pound. Some punishing short elbows sent the ref in. Dominant showing and showed a bit of everything.
Grade: C

Flyweight, Andres Luna Martinetti (11-0)

In under 30-seconds Martinetti took the fight down. From there he put his opponent through a lot. While staying busy with ground and pound at a point he was in the mount. When he got on the back he even attempted a suloev stretch. When that didn’t work in a scramble he landed a ground shot that had his opponent cover up. Martinetti went after the finish and landed big punches until the ref came in.
Grade: B

Lightweight, Elvin Espinoza (6-0)

Espinoza made his PFL debut and fought his toughest test to date in Hopeton Stewart. Espinoza didn’t treat it as his toughest test as he had a spotless performance. He quickly took Stewart down. He got right into mount and had the back but Stewart escaped. Espinoza used a throw to get the fight down again and an adjustment got him in top position. Right back into mount and on the back, he sunk in an RNC and put Stewart to sleep.
Grade: A

Welterweight, Michael Lombardo (12-2)

Lombardo is someone that’s pretty conservative in his fights but he went after it in this one. He fought another Contender Series veteran in Kyron Bowen. It was a competitive fight but Lombardo was landing more impactful shots. He was doubling up on the jab and coming through with the right hand. Lombardo was landing a few leg kicks that were visibly bothering Bowen. He sat Bowen down with a hard leg kick and again a second time. As Bowen threw another kick to the leg as Bowen was down he grabbed his leg in agony and the ref stepped in.
Grade: B+

The post MMA Prospect Watch: The Most Impressive Fighters from August appeared first on Cageside Press.

BRAVE CF 48 | Bahrain | Thursday

Middleweight, Nemanja Kovač (13-3)

Fighting out of Novi Sad, Serbia Kovac is someone that always brings it. After losing three consecutive fights in 2018 he’s now on a six-fight win streak. Kovac will constantly come forward landing some powerful hooks. He has heavy leg kicks that he uses to target the legs, body, and head. Kocac does a solid job attacking the body and just breaking guys down. Not sure if he’s high-level yet but is fun to watch. He fights Ahmad Labban (9-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXvJgTfQ6L8

Light heavyweight, Murtaza Talha Ali (2-0)

Only 2-0 as a pro, Ali is one of the highest level light heavyweight amateurs in a long time. Ali is a two-time IMMAF world champion which is the biggest accomplishment out there as an amateur. Ali is a good striker and is an excellent wrestler. He’s had no issue closing the distance and powering guys to the mat. Ali has solid ground and pound and can grab the neck at any time. Ali has the blueprint to be the next big thing at light-heavyweight and I think he will. He fights Cameron Meintjies (6-1).

Cage Warriors 120 | UK | Friday

Featherweight, James Hendin (5-0)

Hendin is a super impressive young man out of England. Hendin is a wrestler who will grind out hard-fought decision wins. He’s always in your face throwing low calf kicks, short powerful punches, and pressing opponents against the cage. Hendin has good wrestling especially with a beautiful hip-toss he’s hit many times in his career. Hendin doesn’t have any submissions but has smothering active ground and pound. Hendin has pressure, technique, and a deep gas tank. He fights Paul Hughes (6-1) which is an awesome fight.

Middleweight, Will Currie (5-0)

Currie is a primary grappler with a submission base. As a pro, he’s finished with a RNC, armbar, americana, keylock, and an arm-triangle. Wrestling wise he has good timing on his entries and has a strong body lock. Currie has been very impressive on the mat with that submission base, aggression, and smooth transitions. Only being 22, Currie has a bright future. He fights Christian Leroy Duncan (2-0).

Lightweight, Mike Figlak (4-0)

Poland’s Figlak made his name known when he beat top prospect Oban Elliott five months ago. Figlak is well-rounded and is everything you look for in a young fighter. On the feet, Figlak gets right at it throwing combinations, never throwing single strikes. He’s very accurate with everything thrown and his right hand over the shoulder is his best weapon. If Figlak isn’t impressive enough with his striking his wrestling is just as good if not better. I like Figlak so much I think he’s a future Cage Warriors champion. He fights Steven Hooper (5-3).

Featherweight, Ben Ellis (3-0)

Ellis is only 3-0 and I usually don’t mention uber young (career-wise) fighters in this feature but he’s impressed me a lot. It’s not like he only has three fights, as he had eight amateur fights going undefeated. As an amateur Ellis won the Budo Fighting and Cage Warriors lightweight title. Ellis is an excellent wrestler with solid positional grappler and has damaging ground and pound. He fights Manny Akpan (2-0).

EFC 34 | Russia | Friday

Bantamweight, Sharapudin Magomedov (4-0)

Russian Sharapudin Magomedov is only 4-0 as a pro but has some good experience as he had a 15-1 amateur record. Magomedov has been very dominant thus far in his pro career especially with his ground game. He does have some heavy hands but is a much more dangerous wrestler/grappler. Magomedov is dominant once on top with excellent ground and pound and heavy position control. He fights Renat Khavalov (3-0).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UjEtsk6Wog&t=4s

Featherweight, Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (12-3-1)

The former M-1 veteran Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu makes his return to the cage after a year and a half layoff. Uulu’s last three fights went to a decision but on the other side has nine stoppages in the first round. He can stand and trade in a brawl, wrestle, and grapple all very well. Uulu has a bombshell of a right hand, heavy kicks, strong wresting, and solid ground and pound. Arguably the best prospect out of Kyrgyzstan. He fights Vladislav Korolevskiy (8-4).

Middleweight, Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (8-0)

Mukhtarov is an exciting prospect out of Russia with an undefeated record. He’s got a diverse kickboxing style throwing a lot of spinning attacks. He’s always throwing something different and looks very tricky. Mukhtarov has good judo as well and is just as good on the mat with his jiu-jitsu. He fights Magomed Nurov (6-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NWS4UQ6WU&t=165s

Welterweight, Samandar Murodov (5-0)

Muradov the 21-year-old Russian is a top-notch grappler. His wrestling looks good as well. But once on the mat, he’s in full control. Muradov uses his length on the mat controlling the position, winning the scrambles, and his defensive grappling is solid. His jiu-jitsu is very glue-like as he as a strong body-lock and a tight mount. Just a grappler but a dangerous one. He fights Abdurakhman Alimagomedov (10-0).

Cage Warriors 121 | UK | Friday

Lightweight, Agy Sardari (13-2)

Being a Dutch fighter, of course Sardari has good kickboxing. He actually comes from a karate background and is an instructor. Sardari does have solid kicks, a good one-two, and nicely done footwork, moving in with two to three shots and back out. Sardari is well rounded and to me his wrestling and grappling is where he’s best. Sardari has strong wrestling and when he gets it to the mat he moves well on top. Off his back he’s super busy. As the fight goes on he gets better. He’s going to be a tough guy to beat. He fights Donovan Desmae (14-5).

Bantamweight, Jack Cartwright (9-0)

Cartwright has been wrestling since the age of five and has a background as a former ABA boxer. Cartwright just recently began showing his striking; with his power and timing he’s just as good as he is as a grappler. The Brit is a good wrestler and more of an exceptional grappler. He’s got a very dangerous guillotine and d’arce he’s finished with a few times. Cartwright is the real deal and one of my favorite prospects out of the UK. He fights  Sylwester Miller (9-3).

Welterweight, Ian Garry (5-0)

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 former UFC fighter Rostem Akman (6-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS6QKYf9_HI&t=2s

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