We did a little Q&A and a closer look with a fighter who will hopefully get the call from Dana White and co. soon.

Getting into MMA

“I was flipping through channels one day and saw Ken Shamrock vs Tito. I knew who Ken Shamrock was from WWE as a kid but I’d never seen him fighting in MMA before. I didn’t even know what MMA was. I was hooked ever since at the age 12” – Nkuta on his introduction into MMA.

Amateur career

Nkuta started his MMA journey at the end of 2016. Nkuta did the right thing with the amount of fights he took and the number of years spent as a amateur. He competed for nearly three years and had five fights. Of those five fights, he went 5-0 with two finishes. His last two fights he won the Triton Fights and the NYFE flyweight titles.

“Not to be cocky but just that I can hang with the top guys in the world.” – Nkuta on his biggest takeaway from his amateur career.

Pro debut

Nkuta had an incredible opportunity to kick of his pro career fight for Bellator. He fought Adrian Haly who was 1-0 as a pro and had twice the amount of amateur experience. CFFC debut

Nkuta had a breakout performance here. Yes, he fought for Bellator but the fight wasn’t televised. This fight was against Ben Coyle who was making his pro debut but had a 6-1 amateur record. Nkuta treated him as an amateur. “Turbo” used his wrestling and grappling to dominate this fight. He showcases a little striking throwing in twos, going to the body, and moving in and out. Nkuta when he got the takedown was all over Coyle. Coyle couldn’t even move because Nkuta was following him around just floating on top. After a dominant round one Nkuta won with a kimura in round two. It was a fantastic introduction into the pro ranks.

“Having my first fight for Bellator was a great intro to the feeling of being on a big show. Dealing with level of professionalism and the bright lights was cool man. Had me nervous for sure but when I made that walk I felt comfortable all over again. As far as the fight though. I prepared well but had a bad weight cut. I was a young man, and didn’t have the knowledge at time. So I was dominant, showed I’m high level, but I still didn’t put on the performance I wanted to.” – Nkuta on pro debut

CFFC title fight

After a 2-0 start in his pro career, CFFC saw enough to give him an early title fight. It was against Albert Trujillo who was an established fighter and the champ at the time. It was a big step up in competition for Nkuta.

Nkuta treated this fight as if he were the champion because he dominated this fight bell to bell. Although he did score two knockdowns it was all wrestling and control from Nkuta. Nkuta showcased top-notch wrestling. Not only the speed but Nkuta was chain wrestling, cutting the corner, running the pipe, and created a lot of knee traps to get the takedowns. When I say he was all over Trujillo it was like a glue trap. He was all over him and as Trujillo got back up he went right back down. Impressively this was the first time Nkuta went into championship rounds and fought at the same pace as he did in round one.

“First… I don’t think people realize how good Alberto is. He’s high level. Till this day he’s the highest level guy I’ve fought. Good technique, was in insane shape, mentally tough. He’s coming out of Alliance MMA so he’s part of a high level camp. I had a great camp but fighting him almost brought the best out of me. As far as what it felt like to win? Winning that fight is another reason why I’m as confident as I am. My third pro fight. I get multiple knockdowns, (one of them being a spinning elbow) endless takedowns and fought hard for 20 minutes. And then spit bars? I always have a lot to work on but after that fight, I felt like I could beat anyone in the world. Especially at Flyweight.”

5-0

To close out 2021 Nkuta had a 5-0 record defending his CFFC flyweight title twice. In his fight with Miguel Junior Diaz he frankly just beat the tar out of him. Nkuta used footwork, speed, and technical wrestling ability to get Diaz down every round. More than the wrestling it was the top pressure and the relentless ground and pound. He even busted up Diaz in the fight. He got into the crucifix position a few times and that’s where he got the TKO stoppage in round four. All the damage just added up and Nkuta scored his first TKO stoppage as a pro. In his fight with Jason Eastman, it was tougher but still a one-sided fight. Nkuta had to go through a few submissions but he was one step ahead in every spot. He showed a little more striking with some bodywork and was finding his rhythm. It was again his wrestling and dominant grappling that won him the fight.

Contender Series Rumor and Retirement

Nkuta was ready for a UFC opportunity as a reigning champion on UFC Fight Pass. In his fight with Eastman Nkuta ended up breaking his hand that required surgery. Unfortunately for him it was around the same there was rumors of a Contender Series fight. It being so bad of an injury Nkuta had no choice but to sit on the shelf for a bit. Having to wait for surgery his hand ended up healing improperly. They had to re-break it to actually fix it and Nkuta was in a cast for months. Not to mention all the rehab he had to do once he got the cast off. With the injury and the trouble getting fights Nkuta took it as a sign to walk away from the sport.

Once Nkuta got the cast off he was back in the gym helping guys like Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili, Matt Frevola and others. With encouragement from his manager and teammates, Nkuta decided to step back in the cage after over a year and a half layoff.

Comeback Fight

For coming back from a long layoff and a gruesome injury Nkuta was back to his dominant ways. His opponent, Cleveland McLean is a known veteran with a lot of experience. It was all Nkuta in this fight treating the vet like a rookie. Nkuta used his wrestling and brick-like top control to cruise to a submission victory. In this fight there were a ton of moments where he was in a dominant position. He landed a lot of GNP and went for submission but it was a good fight to shake off any ring rust he had.

At this point, Nkuta should’ve been considered for the UFC. Nkuta was 6-0 with a few good wins. He was already wanted by the UFC at a point so it was time for a straight UFC contract.

Bantamweight Debut

Nkuta took on a fight up a weight class at Bantamweight against Hunter Starner. Although not experienced Starner is a strong wrestler with a lot of talent. Nkuta was significantly smaller but that didn’t make him shy away from fighting his fight. Nkuta still used his wrestling and did get a few takedowns as well. We actually saw Starner takedown Nkuta. From there Nkuta was never complacent and did a great job scrambling back up. His striking also looked very good moving in and out, going to the body, and letting his hands fly in short bursts. It was a fight proving again he’s a UFC-level fighter.

“First I gotta give a shout out to Hunter Starner. He was tough, skilled and super strong. Like I’m talking farmer strength strong. He took on a very experienced opponent when he didn’t have to at all. Biggest takeaway for me is that I can handle the mental part of the game and that I truly am ready to fight anyone at any time at any place. A lot of people talk about it but some are actually about it. Fighting a week and a half notice fighting up a weight class… A lot of people would never. Especially with everything riding on the line like it was for me. I had everything to lose. Undefeated record, reputation in the sport. It was a risky scenario. But I’ll fight anyone, anytime at any weight. Cause that’s that the best do. I am that and I showed that. As far as what the takeaway should be for everyone else… Stop sleeping on my striking.”

Nkuta is 100% ready to make the jump to the UFC. He’s at the point where it’s hard for him to get fights and he has to move up to bantamweight to actually get fights. He’s 7-0 as a pro and 5-0 as an amateur. He’s never lost a fight and I don’t think has ever lost a round. His wrestling is high-level. Although his striking isn’t on display as much as his wrestling it’s looked good. He has the speed, shot placement, and his hands are clean. With his wrestling his jiu-jitsu is lockdown. Nkuta is relentless with his pressure, GNP, and transitions. He’s so light on top but is also glue-like giving no space. You don’t want Nkuta on the inside because he will bully you around.

When Nkuta beat Alberto Trujillo he proved he was UFC level then. Also being a champion for a promotion like CFFC that’s on UFC Fight Pass is a big deal. Not just one title defense but two. Nkuta can even take fights on short notice not in his weight class and still perform at a high level. Training with the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Matt Frevola, and Aljamain Sterling at LAW MMA makes it even more puzzling why he isn’t in the UFC. I easily see Nkuta as a top 15 flyweight. He’s 28 in his prime now and still the best is yet to come with him. Stop playing around and call him Dana.

Nkuta’s message to Dana White

“In the ring, on the mic, and even in the booth, no one can talk the talk like me. No one can walk the walk like me right now. I’m a star. I’m the best Flyweight in the world. I’m the best in the business. I’m the best for business and I’m ready. So let’s do business bossman!”

Comments from the media and teammates

“The type of talent and the type of work ethic Phumi has, it can’t help but make everyone around him want to be great as well. Iron sharpens iron and he’s as sharp as it gets.” – Teammate, Dennis Buzukja

“They don’t call him Turbo for no reason. Phumi is FAST, accurate and strong everywhere. He can compete with anyone in the UFC right now, and I’m truly surprised he hasn’t been signed yet.” – Teammate, Matt Frevola

“Absolutely, there’s probably nothing I could say about phumi people haven’t heard already; I just genuinely believe he’s the best flyweight on the planet right now. I think Phumi’s a Ferrari and the UFC wants to treat him like a Toyota Corolla; if they put him in there right now and see what he’s capable of I think they would do tremendous business with one another. He’s skilled in the cage, on the mic, and the most important part is he’s just a good dude. In my opinion, he’s simply the best flyweight walking on earth right now, and it’d be a tragedy if he didn’t get his opportunity to prove it.” – Teammate/Coach, Steve Lee

“The perfect way to describe Phumi is “Best kept secret” or “champion behind closed doors” since the ufc is slow to sign up and let the inevitable unfold which is him becoming a world champion” – Teammate, Nazim Sadykhov.

“At this very moment in time, MMA prospect Phumi Nkuta could very well compete with any UFC-ranked flyweight. Put him on the top of the list of prospects who should already be in the UFC. Training at LAW MMA with some of the UFC’s biggest stars, Nkuta’s future is certainly bright & hopefully he can kickstart his UFC journey sooner rather than later.” – Media member, Jake Noecker

“Phumi Nkuta has been one of the top talents at 125 for a long time. I know he got away from the sport for almost 1.5 years but even before that, he should’ve had a chance to fight on DWCS. In my opinion, he should be signed right away. His striking and ground game are both very solid plus he trains with former champion Aljamain Sterling and future champion Merab Dvalishvili. For me, it is a no-brainer to sign Nkuta. He is 28-years-old and will only be better in the next few years. Plus the fact that he is undefeated brings a little more hype to the whole situation in my opinion. Sign him and give him his deserved opportunity, please!!” – Media member, Marcel Dorff

“I had the pleasure of watching Phumi Nkuta fight in person back in December. Going up a weight class and accepting the fight on just one week’s notice, Phumi scored a clean decision victory. His past opponents hold a combined record of 35-16, and his cardio has proven to hold up late into fights. Phumi isn’t just the best fighter out of LAW MMA who isn’t in the UFC, he may very well be the best fighter currently unsigned. In a weight class that needs new blood, Phumi could very well be a key addition to the top 15 of 125 pounds and make a run for the title. Signing Phumi outright is a move long overdue, and making him fight on the Contender Series would be a disservice to him and the promotion. Sign him Dana!” – Media member, Patrick Danna

“Nkuta might not have the highlight-reel finishes that would catch the UFC’s eye but his performances should speak for themselves. Since returning from his injury, he’s picked up right where he left off despite stating how hard it has been to get opponents on the regional scene. He might not be the kind of guy that the Contender Series is looking for but when you look at someone who could step up to the UFC and compete at a high-level from the jump, he ticks a lot of boxes. He certainly has an aura of confidence about him and when you consider the level of training partners he shares the mats with, it’s hard to imagine that next level of competition being something he can’t adapt to.” – Media member, Kyle Dimond

The post Call Him, Dana: Phumi Nkuta appeared first on Cageside Press.

CFFC 106 | US | Thursday

Lightweight, Paris Artis (5-0)

Artis is a highlight-reel finisher holding a few dramatic finishes. He comes out with a high guard chopping with heavy leg kicks and throwing check hooks. Artis has huge power in his hands and kicks with one-shot knockout power. Even on the mat his jiu-jitsu is decent with good scrambling ability and a slick submission attack. I’m not too sold on him but he’s someone you tune in to watch when he’s fighting. Artis fights champ Blake Smith (6-2) for the title.

Cage Warriors 134 | UK | Friday

Featherweight, James Hendin (6-1)

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 has one submission but it’s more of his smothering active ground and pound. Hendin has pressure, technique, and a deep gas tank. He fights Jordan Vucenic (8-1).

Featherweight, Jordan Vucenic (8-1)

Vucenic is mainly a wrestler. He has heavy leg kicks plus good forward pressure, but everything he does on the feet is to get to the takedown. Along with good wrestling, Vucenic has really good top control and really nice fluidity as well. His work rate is impressive with a deep gas tank. Still needs some work on the feet but is scrappy. He defends his title against James Hendin (6-1).

Lightweight, George Hardwick (8-1)

No matter where the fight takes Hardwick he’s going to be comfortable. He’s all about volume on the feet throwing slick combinations to the body and head. Surgical on the inside with his hands and elbows in the clinch he will chop the legs at distance. Hardwick can wrestle as well. He can get takedowns on the legs and from the upper body. His jiu-jitsu is slick. He smoothly takes the back and right away locks in the body triangle. As a pro he’s really good at finding the neck of his opponent. Hardwick fights Lukasz Kopera (10-6).

Middleweight, Will Currie (6-2)

Currie has only lost to one person and it was twice to Christian Leroy Duncan. He is  primarily a grappler with a submission base. As a pro, he’s finished with an RNC, arm-bar, americana, keylock, triangle 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 23, Currie has a bright future. He fights Patrick Vallee (12-12-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fytaxeZqRAU&ab_channel=WorldWideWeb

 Flyweight, Lone’er Kavanagh (2-0)

Kavanagh is a very skilled and intriguing young man. Where he’s best at is unequivocally on the feet. He’s light on his feet, doing a lot of bouncing around. Kavanagh is excessively fast specifically with his movement, hands, and his legs. The Englishman throws a nice lead uppercut, is a well-executed counter striker, and has a good one-two. Kavanagh fights behind his kicks, setting the tone of his fights that way. He’s such a flashy guy and he doesn’t telegraph his strikes at all. Kavanagh is a true 125-er that brings speed, athleticism, explosiveness, and a recurrent rapid pace. He fights Ryan Morgan (1-0).

iKON FC 2 | US | Friday

Middleweight, SD Dumas (5-0)

The first thing you notice when watching Dumas is how often and quickly he lets his kickboxing set the pace. He loves to chop away at the legs and then go high – sometimes to the opposite side. All his work he does with his legs opens up his striking even more. Dumas has really good distance management on the feet, with of course his kicks but his striking as well. He has a stiff jab and strikes really well long, keeping guys at the end of his punches. He fights very patiently picking his spots and it’s a big reason why he can fight as well as he can later in fights. Here is an extensive piece I did on Dumas. He fights Aaron Highbaugh (9-5).

PFL Challenger Series 5 | US | Friday

Lightweight, Bruno Miranda (13-3)

Miranda has extensive experience in Muay Thai and it’s shown throughout his MMA career. You will see Miranda attack with leg kicks early and often throughout his fights. The Brazilian is a banger who will come out throwing bombs the entire bout. He is wild though and that’s resulted in him getting tagged, but he’s tough and his will breaks opponents. Miranda is a striker/kickboxer by trade but he has some decent wrestling to fall back on. he fights Carson Frei (9-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETI3azNVfRE&ab_channel=JeffSainlarVisuals

Eternal MMA 64 | Australia | Saturday

Lightweight, Josh Kuhne (3-0)

It’s hard to get a good read on Kuhne because his fights end so quickly. The storm he brings right out of the gate is so heavy his opponents so far couldn’t withstand it. Kunhe has massive power in both his hands and knees. So much is unknown about him but to put on a show is what he’s all about. There is a reason they call him Kamikaze. Kuhne fights Blake Donnelly (5-1).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: London’s Calling appeared first on Cageside Press.

Saidyokub Kakhramonov
Standing at 5’7″
Fighting at 135 lbs (bantamweight)
25-years-old
Fighting out of Irvine, California, US but from Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Training out of Team Oyama
A pro record of 8-2
3 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions

How will Kakhramonov fare in the UFC:

Kakharamonov is a solid prospect who has won the U.S. Open in Judo and is a multiple-time champ in Sambo. He had a few losses that set him back some, but those were to Pipe Vargas and the UFC’s Umar Nurmagomedov. His last two victories to get back momentum were big wins. He knocked out a good prospect in Askar Askar (who was briefly signed by the UFC earlier this year) in under a minute. Last March, Kakhramonov knocked out Tycen Lynn to win the CFFC bantamweight title.

Kakharamonov is well-rounded and fully capable of finishing the fight on the feet and on the mat. On the feet, Kakharamonov has good hands but it’s in those wild exchanges he’s probably most dangerous. In the pocket is where the young man has proven to have big power in his hands. He is a better wrestler and his striking is a big asset for his wrestling. Many times, you will see Kakharamonov lunge forward with a one-two and shoot underneath for a takedown. Kakharamonov has good timing on his entries and cuts the corner well to chain-wrestle when needed.

Kakharamonov is a fantastic fighter but he still needs work. His striking defense isn’t the best and later in the fight, he takes more and more damage. He likes to sit in the pocket and throw but he’s testing his chin as much as he’s tested others. He has been knocked out too. Kakharamonov does everything right when it comes to wrestling but at times has trouble executing. Getting inside and in position, he does superbly but he has trouble getting the fight down. And when he gets it down he’s had trouble keeping it down. It’s only happened a few times but those few times is when he fought stiff competition. In his last fight, he controlled Tycen Lynn on the mat but Lynn is more than comfortable off his back.

Offensively he’s an impressive young fighter and has so much time to develop. Putting it together is a challenge but when he’s on he’s going to be an issue in the division.  He’s someone I don’t see making an impact right away. I see him taking a few losses before finding his stride and one day possibly gets inside the top 15.
Fighter comparison in the division: John Castañeda

Striking: B-
Kickboxing: B-
Clinch: C
Wrestling: B+
Grappling: B
Striking Defense: C+
Takedown Defense: C+
Cardio: C+
Biggest Strength: Wrestling
Biggest Weakness: Striking defense

How he matches up against Jones:

Trevin Jones has had some run in the UFC going 2-0 against Timur Valiev and Mario Bautista. That’s two excellent fighters in the division. Jones was losing both those fights, getting beat in the first round only to come back to stop both opponents in the second with his hands. Before coming to the UFC I knew Jones had the skillset but putting it together and actually attacking was the concern. It’s still a concern because while he did win his two UFC fights he was fighting from behind. It is nice to see him fighting with more urgency though.

At this point, Bautista and Valiev are better than Kakharamonov. If Jones can knock those guys out he can for sure crack Kakharamonov. Kakharamonov is going to bring pressure and if he fights smart he should wrestle. I can see Kakharamonov winning early and Jones taking over. Kakharamonov is taking this fight on short notice so there have to be questions on his condition. He also missed weight Friday. Kakharamonov has the full capability to beat Jones and I even believe he has a brighter future in the UFC. Right now under these circumstances I’m picking Jones to outlast the young prospect.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Saidyokub Kakhramonov appeared first on Cageside Press.

UWC 28 | Mexico | Thursday

Bantamweight, Christian Quiñonez (15-3)

Quinonez has some solid wins including one against Vinicius de Oliveira who is a top Brazilian prospect. In fact, the combined record of the opponents he’s beat is 98-36. Quinonez is a strong wrestler and grappler with a submission base and very good ground and pound. With all the experience he has Quinonez is still only 25-years-old. He fights Jaime Londono Alvarez (4-1).

Bantamweight, Braian Gonzalez (8-1)

Gonzalez is a good striker that does a fine job cutting off the cage and firing at his opponent. On his back foot, he’s a solid counter striker as well. He’s very technical and precise but once he sits on his punches he has some big power in his hands. Gonzalez is a decent wrestler with a better top position. He fights Brandon Uruchurtu (0-3).

PFL 2021 #7 | US | Friday

Welterweight, Magomed Umalatov (10-0)

Fighting out of Russia, Umalatov is a very good wrestler. Umalatov has a good jab, a bomb of an overhand right, and strikes to wrestler so well. When Umalatov gets the fights down his positional grappling really shows out. The ground and pound is his best feature as it’s steady, heavy, and fight-ending. A really good prospect PFL has here. He fights Micah Terrill (15-8).

Welterweight, Michael Lombardo (11-2)

Lombardo has been on the Contender Series twice and won his last time out. He was never awarded a UFC contract after that win because it was frankly a boring performance. That having been said, it was a very dominant performance from Lombardo. Wrestling comes first with the style of Lombardo. He does have really sound wrestling and has solid chain wrestling as well. Along with the wrestling, he has good grappling as well. Lombardo fights Kyron Bowen (9-6).

Lightweight, Elvin Espinoza (5-0)

Espinoza is a strong wrestler who has manhandled guys lifting and slamming them down to the mat. He is a grinder on top who is heavy with position and will take anything his opponents give him. On the feet, I want to see him move his head more but he’s held his own. He has good hands that are improving with each fight. He fights Hopeton Stewart (5-1).

Bellator 264 | US | Friday

Bantamweight, Magomed Magomedov (18-1)

Magomedov is a good striker that has improved over the years but owns a better kicking game. He likes to get flashy at times, throwing a lot of spinning kicks which may be his best weapon. He is an excellent wrestler with superb grappling and can wrestle/grapple during the duration of the fight with his tremendous endurance. His only loss has been to the former UFC bantamweight champ Petr Yan. But he also has beaten Yan in the past so that says a lot about him. He fights Raufeon Stots (16-1).

Bantamweight, Raufeon Stots (16-1)

Stots is a former NCAA Division II national champion in wrestling at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Stots is a fantastic wrestler but his stand-up has come along nicely with some good Muay Thai and a developing jab. Still, the Roufusport product is primarily a wrestler. His timing on his shots is excellent and the execution is perfect. It’s going to take a good fighter to beat Stots and to neutralize his wrestling. He fights Magomed Magomedov (18-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6VZNGnoxi0&t=2s

Heavyweight, Davion Franklin (3-0)

I’m not too sold on Franklin due to his showing against Ras Hylton last year. The fact is Franklin has not been built up slow and right away has been tested. His three opponents had thirty-eight fights combined. That’s pretty good for someone that made his MMA debut a little over a year ago with no prior MMA experience. Franklin has huge power in his hands, athletic, an explosive double-leg, and is dangerous on top. He fights Everett Cummings (15-0).

Combate Global | US | Friday

Strawweight, Yasmine Jauregui (5-0)

Born and raised in the same area as UFC flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno, Tijuana, Mexico is where Jauregui calls home. Still very green, Jauregui has really impressed in her career thus far. Her style is reminiscent of UFC fighter Maycee Barber in a few ways. Jauregui is still very young at only 22 so to think she’s even near her prime is silly. She will throw a lot of volume with her kicks and punches putting it all together well. Yasmine is always throwing and looking to end the fight. She does need to work on some things like her movement and striking defense. With that said, she can be very good. Jauregui fights Stephanie Frausto (8-7).

Strawweight, Criszaida Adames (4-0)

Going 4-0 as an amateur, Adames is 4-0 as a pro as well. Adames is a spitfire blitzing in and out with offense. She could be more technical but is active enough to create issues. Adames has taken down opponents as well as being able to mix it up on the feet. Her best aspects are her striking coming forward and her work rate. She’s still raw but has potential. She fights Yajaira Cunningham (3-2).

EFC 88 | South Africa | Saturday

Bantamweight, Cameron Saaiman (3-0)

Saaiman is a young bright prospect who is a protege of UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis. Saaiman is so comfortable on the feet with his creative striking and diverse kickboxing while having really light movement. He will make it seem like he’s only a kickboxer before changing levels for a takedown. Saaiman is a really talented grappler who constantly hunts to end the fight. His ground and pound and RNC is his best weapon on the mat. He fights Roevan De Beer (3-4).

RCC Intro 15 | Russia | Saturday

Lightweight, Milson Castro (13-3)

Castro is on a big 12-fight win streak and not only is he successful in Brazil he’s highly regarded in Mexico fighting there multiple times. Having fought for years Castro has won three different regional titles. Castro is a stand-up fighter with a solid Muay Thai base. He is a scrapper that will stand toe-to-toe with anyone he stands across from. He does take a lot of shots on the chin but he can take one to give one. He fights Timur Nagibin (18-5).

Middleweight, Arseniy Smirnov (9-1)

Smirnov is a dangerous guy who is well-rounded. On the feet, he’s technical with his hands always throwing in twos with big power. He will throw combinations up to four strikes. Smirnov is always throwing a lot of output and with multiple weapons including front kicks, body kicks, knees, and elbows. Everything he throws is with fight-ending intention. Smirnov has strong wrestling and smashing ground and pound on top. He fights Lucas Alsina (8-2).

CFFC 99 | Saturday | US

Featherweight, Deandre Anderson (4-0)

Anderson is undefeated as a pro and went 5-1 (1 NC) as an amateur. He’s also competed in other disciplines, i.e. boxing and kickboxing. Anderson was a standout wrestler in high school and that has been his most valuable weapon in MMA. His striking has looked good with each fight but the wrestling is his bread and butter. Anderson is a strong athletic wrestler who will explode on the double leg. There isn’t a lot of pro footage but he has some hype behind him.

WFL MMA 6 | Sunday | Netherlands

Welterweight, Losene Keita (5-0)

I’m not fully sold on Keita due to his poor level of competition but the talent is there. He seems to be a well-rounded fighter who has no issue taking fights to the mat. Keita is more of a dangerous guy on the feet. His speed, athleticism, and explosiveness is scary. I’d like to see him show more footwork but makes up for it in blitzes and explosions. Once he gets going he’s throwing a lot of volume as well. He fights Maarten Wouters (12-8).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: Bellator, PFL Shine appeared first on Cageside Press.

Elise Reed
Standing at 5’3″
Fighting at 115 lbs (strawweight)
28-years-old
Fighting out of Princeton, New Jersey, US
Training out of Kickside Martial Arts
A pro record of 4-0
2 KO/TKOs

How will Reed fare in the UFC:

Elise Reed is a fun fighter to watch that is super well-rounded. On the feet, she brings a taekwondo background as she’s a third-degree black belt. Reed fights with output and in and out movement. She will lunge in with combinations and step back out of the way. Reed also has some good kicks in her arsenal but it’s more so her flow of offense that’s good. She does over-extend on her punches and gets hit quite a bit. She’s not the one to get overwhelmed though as she is the one that overwhelms her opponents.

Reed strikes well to close the distance and is a decent wrestler. Her grappling is even better from either on top or bottom. Reed doesn’t have the best takedown defense and seems to get caught in a lot of submissions. She’s still never lost by submission besides once in 2015 and off her back she moves well, throws elbows, attack subs, and create sweeps. I do see her having issues against a strong wrestler due to her small size. Reed has some impressive resilience fighting through bad positions and unloading damaging ground and pound.

• Striking: B
• Kickboxing: B-
• Clinch: B-
• Wrestling: C+
• Grappling: B
• Striking Defense: C
• Takedown Defense: C
• Cardio: A-
• Biggest Strength: Work-rate
• Biggest Weakness: TDD

How she matches up with Eubanks:

This is a poor sense of management letting Reed, who is more like an atomweight who will fight up two weight classes up against Sijara Eubanks who is a strong wrestler. Eubanks has taken down all but one of her UFC opponents. I have no doubt Reed will be taken down. Off her back she will most likely struggle against a stronger Eubanks. Reed will have to make the best of her moments on the feet. She by far has a volume and a striking advantage. If Eubanks can survive the striking of Julia Avila she can Reed. I’m picking Eubanks just because of the size advantage.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Elise Reed appeared first on Cageside Press.

BRAVE CF 50 | Bahrain | Wednesday

Welterweight, Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi (15-2)

Jarrah Hussein 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 on the top and bottom. Hussein has good jiu-jitsu and while he is a bit more of a slower fighter, he has good technique. He fights former UFC fighter Ismail Naurdiev (20-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPQNucwa92w

Light heavyweight, Mohamed Said Maalem (11-3)

Born in Geneva, Maalem is a good prospect. Not often do you see a heavyweight with an 11-3 record and on a six-fight win streak. The biggest issue is he’s 37-years-old. Despite his age, he hasn’t had any signs of slowing down and at heavyweight, you can get away with being older. Still, with one more loss he could be set back too far to make an impact in a major promotion. On the feet, Maalem has clubbing striking throwing big looping overhands. He does hit hard and strikes well to close the distance. He has solid wrestling and on top he’s going to threaten with big ground and pound. He fights Mohammad Fakhreddine (14-4) for the title.

Light heavyweight, Anton Turkalj (6-0)

Turkalj is a raw talent fighting out of Sweden. He’s a big guy standing at 6’4″ and is super athletic. On the feet, Turkalj fights long with a jab and kicks. He’s explosive throwing spinning kicks and flying knees as well. He puts together punches and knees well and can finish the fight at any moment. The Swede has an array of submissions dating back to his amateur MMA career. He’s well-rounded and although he’s still raw he’s got the skillset to go far in his division. He fights Konstantin Soldatov (5-1).

Featherweight, Borislav Nikolić (8-0)

Nikolić’s main attribute is his solid jiu-jitsu. Even off his back, Nikolić is aware of what’s going on. He scrambles well and is good at making bad positions into good ones. He oftentimes transitions into the mount or to the back to later finish the fight. Nikolić has excellent ground and pound. He’s finished fights a couple of times with ground shots. When not getting the finish, he has at least used ground and pound to improve the position or get to a submission. Shockingly enough, Nikolić actually comes from some sort of kickboxing background. Not that his stand-up is bad, per se, but his grappling is where he’s looked most comfortable before. I would like to see him cut the cage off more, but his hands are looking good. He throws in combos, and despite lacking power, he makes up for it in aggression. Nikolić has finished seven of his eight fights via submission. What he’s good at is attacking the neck, as he has earned two guillotines finishes and three rear-naked chokes. He fights former UFC fighter and TUF winner Brad Katona (8-2).

Lightweight, Amin Ayoub (15-4)

25-year-old French fighter Amin Ayoub already has a good amount of fights under his belt. He hasn’t lost a fight in over two years and he’s currently on a seven-fight win streak. Ayoub is a European kickboxing champion but eight of his MMA wins come by submission. His takedown defense needs a lot of work but at least he does have a dangerous guard. Ayoub on the feet throws good output and mixes his kicks and punches together well. Not sold on him but he has a lot of talent. He fights Mashrabjon Ruziboev (10-2-1).

Bantamweight, Bair Shtepin (9-3)

From Russia, Bair Shtepin is one of the best-kept secrets among all Russian prospects. From the start of his career, he’s fought for Fight Nights Global and M-1 always testing his skillset. He’s only lost to good fighters and has beat good fighters as well. Shtepin is a diverse striker on the feet that mixes a bit of everything into combinations. The Russian likes to keep his opponents guessing throwing from different angles. He loves to be a bit flashy as that spinning kick to the body is money. The accuracy, the timing, and the setups with feints are all perfectly set-up. To make everything better he can wrestle when needed and has a good ground game. He fights Alexander Keshtov (9-1).

CFFC 94 | US | Friday

Welterweight, Bassil Hafez (6-1-1)

Hafez made a huge statement in his last fight. Not only did he win the CFFC welterweight title more impressively he beat a top prospect in Christien Savoie. Hafez is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Ricardo and Phil Migliarese. Even though Hafez beat a top prospect like Savoie, he does need to show a bit more overall. He defends his title against Evan Cutts (11-4).

Welterweight, Nick Alley (7-3)

Mid-2018, Alley was 3-3 and on a three-fight skid. However, Alley has hit his stride and is now on a four-fight win streak. He even beat John Gotti III in his last fight putting the brakes on that hype train. Alley is mainly a grappler and a big submission threat with five career subs. Even off his back, he’s comfortable there because of his strong jiu-jitsu. No matter where he’s at on the mat he’s happy. He fights Solomon Renfro (6-1).

iKon Fighting Federation | Mexico | Friday

Lightweight, Elvin Espinoza (4-0)

Espinoza is only 4-0 but is someone that’s caught my eye. Espinoza is a strong wrestler who has manhandled guys lifting and slamming them down to the mat. He is a grinder on top who is heavy with position and will take anything his opponents give him. On the feet, I want to see him move his head more but he’s held his own. He has good hands that are improving. He fights Luis Campa (3-2).

CFFC 95 | US | Saturday

Bantamweight, Paul Capaldo (5-0)

Capaldo is still young in his career but I will say it already seems like he’s now in his prime. He already has everything you look for in a fighter and is someone I’m sure will reach a big stage soon. Capaldo on the feet throws everything with heavy power looking to the finish. He has an excellent head kick which he has a knockout by in his pro debut. Not only a striker as Capaldo is probably a better wrestler than anything. Capaldo throws at a good pace and can do it for three solid rounds going the distance three times in his pro career. He fights Chris Vasil (4-1).

Bellator 255 | US | Friday

Lightweight, Usman Nurmagomedov (11-0)

A cousin of former UFC champ Khabib and brother of UFC fighter Umar, Usman Nurmagomedov is a kickboxer at heart. He doesn’t throw with much power but he’s flashy and diverse with his attacks. He will throw spinning kicks, roundhouse kicks, and question mark kicks. Usman stays unpredictable attacking with all limbs and throws combos with just his legs alone. His wrestling is good, as well as timing double legs and on top. Simply put, he is a big threat. He fights Mike Hamel (7-4).

Welterweight, Jason Jackson (13-4)

Jackson is a good striker who is technical with an excellent jab and a crushing right hand. This product out of the former Blackzilians gym is a very good wrestler as well as being very well-rounded. He’s super athletic and seems to get better every time he fights. He already has career wins against Ben Henderson, Jordan Mein, Dhiego Lima, and Kiichi Kunimoto. He fights Neiman Gracie (10-1).

Bantamweight, Magomed Magomedov (17-1)

Magomedov is a good striker that has improved over the years but owns a better kicking game. He likes to get flashy at times, throwing a lot of spinning kicks which may be his best weapon. He is an excellent wrestler with superb grappling and can wrestle/grapple during the duration of the fight with his tremendous endurance. His only loss has been to the former UFC bantamweight champ Petr Yan. But he also has beaten Yan in the past so that says a lot about him. He fights Cee Jay Hamilton (15-7).

Welterweight, Mukhamed Berkhamov (14-1)

Berkhamov is a very solid fighter that can go the distance or finish. He has solid cardio going the distance three times but mainly ending the fight with his striking. He only throws a strike at a time but he is very explosive and is very hard to read as he throws hooks, jabs, leg kicks and head kicks and his timing is perfect. Berkhamov has soild wrestling as he changes levels great and always gets the takedown. He is very good on top moving well and stays heavy and gets dominate position frequently. He fights Herman Terrado (13-5-1).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: Berkhamov, Magomedov, Nurmagomedov and More! appeared first on Cageside Press.

Brave CF 47 | Bahrain | Thursday

Lightweight, Abdysalam Uulu Kubanychiev (17-3)

The lightweight fighter from Kyrgyzstan has been fighting at a pretty high level. He’s on an eight-fight win streak with six finishes. Kubanychiev doesn’t have the prettiest striking but makes up for it with his pressure. He throws a lot of wild overhands and hooks to close the distance. He’s a decent wrestler. Kubanychiev isn’t much of a submission threat. He fights former UFC fighter Rolando Dy (14-9).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZWYRKvsMmU&t=325s&ab_channel=HardKnoxFightGearandPromotions

Featherweight Tae Kyun Kim (7-0)

Kim doesn’t look much of a fighter but his resume says otherwise. On the mat he has some skills with three submission wins. He is better on the feet with his thechnical ability and pressure. Kim is constantly walking forward throwing crisp straight punches and hooks with his hands. He also has really good knees when he closes the distance. I still need to see more of him to label him as a top prospect but he’s worth watching. He fights Husein Kadimagomaev (7-0).

Featherweight, Husein Kadimagomaev (7-0)

Kadimagomaev is a high-level prospect coming out of Switzerland. The young 21-year-old is training out of Allstars Training Center which has been red hot lately. As impressive as 7-0 is, Kadimagomaev went 18-0 as an amateur. He has heavy kicks, good combinations coming in, and has solid wrestling. At such a young age he’s already so well-rounded and already so good. He fights Tae Kyun Kim (7-0).

Flyweight, Asu Almabaev (12-2)

Almabaev has a background in freestyle wrestling, was a national champion in jiu-jitsu, and has a BJJ world cup. He’s on a current six-fight win streak taking out fairly decent competition. On the feet Almabaev is quick, he has good fast hands, and he throws a lot of volume with combinations. His takedown defense is his glaring weakness but his good BJJ bails him out of bad positions. He’s mostly well-rounded and with proven cardio, he’s a solid fighter. He fights Ryskulbek Ibraimov (18-8).

Featherweight, Anzor Abdulkhozhaev (11-1)

Abdulkhozhaev has just one loss as a pro; that was a little over four years ago. Now, Abdulkhozhaev is on an eight-fight win streak. On the feet, Anzor is a distance striker throwing at his preferred range. He throws a good one-two and good right hand. He frequently switches stances to give different looks. Anzor has some decent wrestling as well and has a dangerous guillotine choke. His takedown defense needs work though moving forward. He fights Nemat Abdrashitov (15-8).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDU9rPiC8Q&ab_channel=RAZLERG

Bantamweight, Rana Rudra Pratap Singh (11-0)

I’m not sold on Singh just yet. Yes, he does have an impressive undefeated record but against low-level competition. Of the footage available, Singh is completely fine off his back. In fact, with nine submission wins most are coming off his back. Still so much is unknown about him. He fights Ali Guliev (5-0).

CFFC 92 | US | Friday

Flyweight, Phumi Nkuti (2-0)

Nkuti may only be 2-0 as a pro but he went 5-0 as an amateur and won two titles as well. Also training out of Serra Longo he has a great team to build him as a prospect. On the feet, he has good hands but is wild in his approach. He’s a good wrestler and on the mat is where he’s comfortable. Nkuta is a strong positional grappler with dominant top control. Looks to be a solid flyweight prospect. He fights the champion Alberto Trujillo (5-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP-FlnPeNgk&ab_channel=JohnBeneduce

Bantamweight, Saidyokub Kakharamonov (7-2)

Kakharamonov is a solid prospect who has won the US open in Judo and is a multiple-time champ in Sambo. He had a few losses that set him back some but those were to Umar Nurmagomedov and Pipe Vargas. In his last fight, he got back on track knocking out Askar Askar who is a hot prospect. Many opponents have turned down Saidyokub and really, you can’t blame them. He fights Tycen Lynn (8-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgK1gd33WL0&ab_channel=MMAUZ

Bantamweight, Tycen Lynn (8-4)

Lynn made a name for himself in his last outing when he beat a good prospect in Phil Caracappa. Lynn has trained in taekwondo since the age of four and you can tell with his kicking attack in his MMA career. He wants the distance on the feet to let off his kicks. His takedown defense needs tons of work but is super dangerous off his back. Watch for his triangle choke cause he’s got a dangerous one. He fights Saidyokub Kakharamonov (7-2).

Bantamweight, Kasey Tanner (4-0)

Tanner is a fun and exciting prospect to watch for. He excels on the mat, where he can showcase his amazing scrambling ability and his jiu-jitsu as a whole. To get it to the mat he features a stong body lock in the clinch and textbook wrestling — it is solid. Once he gets on top he has solid ground and pound. The times he’s gone to his back he has quickly reversed and scrambled on top. He fights Terry Bartholomew (7-3).

Superfight MMA 16 | Australia | Friday

Featherweight, Mohammad Alavi (5-0)

Mohammad Alavi has been very impressive in his short MMA career with a 100% finish rate. He has three submission wins and that comes from his solid grappling. More impressively, his wrestling is a very dangerous weapon thanks to his timing and ability to chain wrestle. On the feet, he likes to maintain distance with kicks and does have a dangerous left head kick he throws often, which has led to one knockout. Still young in his career, but someone to watch for. He fights Cody Barnwell (3-1).

CFFC 93 | US | Friday

Middleweight, Aaron Jeffery (9-2)

Jeffery is one of the top prospects out of Canada. His two losses are to Brendan Allen and Sean Brady who are two UFC fighters looking great. The Canadian is a solid prospect at 28-years-old. Jeffery is comfortable on the feet with overall good boxing skills. He has a good jab and solid output with his hands. He’s strong against the cage with solid dirty boxing. Despite his output, he has excellent cardio. He fights Collin Huckbody (9-2).

We interviewed Jeffrey ahead of this one, be sure to check our conversation out here.

Welterweight, Troy Green (4-0)

Green is a gritty well-conditioned fighter that fights inch for inch. Green fights a lot in the clinch muscling guys around, landing short strikes, and working takedowns. He is a good wrestler and has a strong top position. Green has some pop behind his hands and some technical boxing but relies on his gas tank and strength. He fights Yohan Lainesse (5-0).

Welterweight, Yohan Lainesse (5-0)

Lainesse made waves in his last performance with a highlight-reel 14-second flying knee. I’ve been watching Lainesse since his days in TKO. I’ve had questions about his cardio in the past but he still is dangerous enough through the course of three rounds. Not many guys will make it to the late rounds with Lainesse. On the feet, he uses a lot of feints to set up the bigger shots. He is a decent wrestler and where he is best is on the mat. He’s a strong but fluent fighter on top. Lainesse has heavy ground and pound and transitions very well. Still, not where he needs to be but he’s on the right track. He fights Troy Green (4-0).

Lux Fight League 12 | Mexico | Friday

Featherweight, Diego Lopes (18-3)

Lopes is a very talented fighter fighting out of Mexico. He’s beaten some good fighters like former UFC fighter Marco Beltran and TUF Brazil winner Rony Jason. Lopes is the reigning LUX Fight League champion. Lopes is a strong grappler with a jiu-jitsu black belt. He still needs to work of his striking but has a lot of good qualities. He throws a solid jab and a lead leg kick. Lopez is good at slipping punches and coming over the top with an overhand right. He’s also good at ducking under punches and getting the takedown. Lopes has glue-like grappling with dominant ground and pound and a dangerous submission base. He fights former UFC fighter Masio Fullen (14-7).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU_Sgw5Bt-0&ab_channel=LUXFightLeague

LFA 101 | US | Friday

Welterweight, Treston Vines (4-0)

Vines is an unknown prospect but is a guy I have high hopes for. He’s very well-round and looks solid no matter where the fight is at. On the feet, Vines has solid hands firing from his preferred distance. He’s also good in the clinch with his knees. Vines may even be better when using his wrestling and when on the mat. Right away Vines has been easily moving into dominant positions and raining down ground and pound. He fights Jalin Fuller (4-0).

Middleweight, Hunter Colvin (2-0)

Colvin is only 2-0 in MMA but has an extensive background in jiu-jitsu. He’s been competing in jiu-jitsu for ten years, has been grappling all across North America, and is a BJJ black belt. In his two pro fights, he’s got quick takedowns and quick ground and pound stoppages. Still the best is yet to come as the cage time isn’t really shown just yet. He fights Obinwa Ikebunna (2-0).

Eagles FC | Saturday | Moldova

Featherweight, Denis Palancica (7-0)

Palancica is a young man out of Moldova who is a combined 13-0 in combat sports. He went 5-0 in amateur MMA and 1-0 as a pro boxer. He hasn’t fought competition at too high of a level, but he has looked right at home in his seven professional bouts. On the feet, Palancica is as talented as he is quick and really throws a good one-two. He does a great job striking and then changing levels and getting the takedown, as his wrestling is solid. He’s at his best on the mat as he thrives in the scrambles, and does a great job at transitions and getting into dominant positions. Palancica has fight-ending ground and pound as well. Overall, at 24 he has a good future. He fights Dmytro Predebaylo (12-7).

Serbian Battle Championship 30 | Saturday | Serbia

Featherweight, Borislav Nikolić (8-0)

Nikolić’s main attribute is his solid jiu-jitsu. Even off his back, Nikolić is aware of what’s going on. He scrambles well and is good at making bad positions into good ones. He oftentimes transitions into the mount or to the back to later finish the fight. Nikolić has excellent ground and pound. He’s finished fights a couple of times with ground shots. When not getting the finish, he has at least used ground and pound to improve the position or get to a submission. Shockingly enough, Nikolić actually comes from some sort of kickboxing background. Not that his stand up is bad, per se, but his grappling is where he’s looked most comfortable before. I would like to see him cut the cage off more, but his hands are looking good. He throws in combos, and despite lacking power, he makes up for it in aggression. Nikolić has finished seven of his eight fights via submission. What he’s good at is attacking the neck, as he has earned two guillotines finishes and three rear-naked chokes. He fights Zhulduzbek Syimik Uulu (5-1).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: CFFC Double Header Hosts Top Prospects appeared first on Cageside Press.

Best of Best Championship 1 | Thursday | Friday

Middleweight, Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov (7-0)

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 Arman Saparov (4-4).

CFFC 86 | Thursday | US

Bantamweight, James Gonzalez (6-3)

Gonzalez may not have a good looking record but his three losses are to Mike Trizano twice and Bill Algeo. Gonzalez is a product out of Serra Jiu-Jitsu. He is a jiu-jitsu black belt and on the mat is where he wants to be. Gonzalez has an aggressive submission base attacking in every position and attacking every limb. He’s excellent at transitioning submission to submission. On his back or on top he’s usually the offensive fighter. He fights Levi Mowles (13-4).

Bantamweight, Levi Mowles (13-4)

Mowles is a black belt in jiu-jitsu with diverse skills who holds a very rare twister submission. His wrestling is good, but the work he does on that mat is where he is best. His guard passes, all his transitions, and his movement are all top-notch and even his ground and pound is good. On the feet, at times he is flat-footed but when he lets his hands go he is a good striker who always throws more than one strike and is getting better and better. He fights James Gonzalez (6-3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKEAkWtRP_M&t=517s&ab_channel=AXSTVFights

Bellator 250 | Thursday | US

Middleweight, Johnny Eblen (6-0)

Eblen has a background as a Division I wrestler for the University of Missouri and he’s absolutely dominated with takedowns in MMA thus far. On the feet, Eblen bounces in and out throwing the outside leg kick well. Eblen times his shots very well grabbing the single leg and pressing his opponent against the cage then dropping levels executing the double leg. Eblen’s hands are improving, but does more crashing forward to close the distance to work in takedowns. He fights Taylor Johnson (6-1) who is an excellent prospect in his own right.

Middleweight, Dalton Rosta (3-0)

Dalton Rosta is an NCAA wrestler, took part in jiu-jitsu and boxing from a young age, and played one year of college football for Youngstown State as a linebacker. He’s 3-0 in Bellator and as a pro and an amateur he has finished all of his fights. Rosta is still raw but is an excellent wrestler and has a good top position. He just needs to work on his striking and cardio. He fights Ty Gwerder (5-1) who is his biggest test to date.

ONE Championship | Friday | Singapore

Middleweight/Light heavyweight, Aung La N Sang (26-10)

It’s tough to call Aung La N Sang a prospect, but he has had a lot of setbacks in his career. However, he has now hit his stride. He’s on a current seven-fight win streak and is the current ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder. N Sang is a warrior who will go out on his shield every time. He will continue to walk forward eating shots to give some of his own. He has a controlled chaos style throwing with the wind but mixes up his attacks very well. N Sang isn’t the prettiest style fighter but his toughness is second to none. He fights Reinier de Ridder (12-0).

Middleweight, Reinier de Ridder (12-0)

Don’t let Reinier de Ridder’s stand-up game fool you: nine of his twelve finishes have come by submission. He’s great in the clinch, and Ridder fights well at a distance as he has an excellent jab. When he lets his hands go, he is really accurate. The mat is where Ridder wants to be, as he is an expert jiu-jitsu practitioner — the sort who can time perfect double-leg takedowns. If Ridder is in the clinch, expect him to get the takedown as his hips are excellent and judo tosses are his best weapon. On top, or even on the mat in general, Ridder is the one in control. He is always moving and searching for submissions and that’s why he has eight submission wins. He fights the ONE double champion, Aung La Nsang (26-10) for the promotion’s middleweight (don’t forget the modified weight rules) title.

Lightweight, Christian Lee (13-3)

Lee is excellent on the feet, being quick and dynamic with outstanding footwork. His abilities on the mat are there when needed, holding four submission wins to date. At only 22, Lee is already a star for ONE Championship. Imagine where he’s going to be in, say, five years. He’s well-rounded, has solid cardio, and gets better in every fight. He fights Iuri Lapicus (14-0).

Lightweight, Iuri Lapicus (14-0)

Lapicus is an excellent prospect out of Moldova. Fighting for ONE Championship he’s beat both Shannon Wiratchai and Marat Gafurov. Lapicus has excellent judo and is primarily a grappler. He has finished all fourteen of his fights; ten of those have come by submission. Not much of a striker but it seems as he’s steadily improving there He fights the ONE champion Christian Lee (13-3).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: ONE, Bellator Return to Action appeared first on Cageside Press.

Christopher Daukaus
6’2″
Heavyweight
30-years-old
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Martinez BJJ
8-3
7 KO/TKOs

How will Daukaus fare in the UFC:

Christopher Daukaus is an interesting case as he has some skills but also some glaring holes. He has one-round cardio, is always dangerous but slows tremendously as the fight goes on. His takedown defense is pretty poor as well. Getting taken down easily, he struggles off his back as well. Daukaus has decent jiu-jitsu but it’s not nearly where he should be given he’s fighting at a high level. Daukaus is a dangerous guy on the feet mainly with his hands. He has good boxing throwing the jab and always throwing combinations. He’ll do a lot of touch-touch-bang setting up his power strikes nicely. Not only getting it done with his hands Daukaus has dangerous head kicks and knees he uses. Overall I think he lacks speed, athleticism, a gas tank, and defense.

Parker Porter
6’0″
Heavyweight
35-years-old
New Britain, Connecticut
Underdog Mixed Martial Arts
10-5
4 KO/TKOs
3 Submissions

How will Parker fare in the UFC:

Parker has been in the sport for over a decade. He has actually fought Jon Jones and Gabriel Gonzaga on the regional scene. He also fought on the very first CES MMA event. Of the little I’ve seen of the grappling of Parker, he does of course have heavy top control and is dangerous with ground and pound and can crank on an arm. The way he gets it to the mat isn’t from wrestling as much as it’s him basically landing on top. On the feet, Parker is pretty good despite being a bit too wild. Parker has a nice overhand right he throws but can spam in over and over. He does a lot of chasing as well throwing wild looping hooks. He is wild but he hits hard, throws a lot, and attacks with the outside leg kick very well. Parker does slow down but does a good job always pressing the action and throwing output. He’s 35-years-old so I don’t expect much at all. He’s got some skills but isn’t fast enough nor nearly is he athletic enough for the top of the division.

How do these two match up:

When this fight was first announced I thought it was going be for the Contender Series, which would be more the level this is on. I think both men are lower-level UFC fighters but I’m sure both are going to bring it. I’m on the side of Parker in this fight just by a little bit. I think the biggest factor will be the better gas tank from Parker. If Daukaus doesn’t finish Parker early, which I don’t think will happen, I think he will fade much quicker. If anything I think Parker has the more likely chance of knocking out Daukaus. It’s a tough fight to call but the pick is Parker.

The bet I like is a straight bet on Parker Porter at -114 (BetOnline). The fight is close just like the lines show. It’s a pick-em and a pair of heavyweight debuting fighters so I’d personally stay away from this fight. If you are a dangerous man I’d consider just taking Parker straight.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Christopher Daukaus and Parker Porter appeared first on Cageside Press.

CFFC 82 | Wednesday | US

Flyweight, Santos Curatolo (4-0)

Curatolo’s competition hasn’t been too good and his strength of schedule needs work. But that said Curatolo has still looked stellar thus far and has treated his lack of competition the way he should’ve. Curatolo is an excellent wrestler rag-dolling guys around. He’s a pure athlete who I think can jump into the UFC and do well. He fights James Mancini (6-4) who is his biggest test to date.

CFFC 83 | Thursday | US

Strawweight, Jasmine Jasudavicius (4-0)

4-0 as a pro, Jasudavicius also went 4-0 as an amateur as well as compiling a 3-0 record in boxing. She has looked really good and has improved leaps and bounds with each fight. Aggressive is one way to put it. Jasudavicius is a good muay thai fighter with excellent knees and damaging elbows. Her striking is solid and overall is improving at a fast rate. She fights Elise Reed (1-0).

Bantamweight, Paul Capaldo (4-0)

Capaldo is still young in his career but I will say it already seems like he’s now in his prime. He already has everything you look for in a fighter and is someone I’m sure will have a breakout year in 2020. Capaldo on the feet throws everything with heavy power looking to the finish. He has an excellent head kick which he has a knockout by in his pro debut. Capaldo throws at a good pace and can do it for three solid rounds going the distance twice in his pro career. He fights Jamal Johnson (3-4).

SFT 23 | Thursday | US

Middleweight, Aaron Jeffery (7-2)

Jeffery is coming off a win but lost just a year ago on the Contender Series. That loss was to Brendan Allen who was one of the better fighters that season. The Canadian Jeffery is a solid prospect at 27-years-old. Jeffery is comfortable on the feet with overall good boxing skills. He has a good jab and solid output with his hands. He’s strong against the cage with solid dirty boxing. Despite his output he has excellent cardio. He fights Bruno Assis (9-4).

Bantamweight, Jornel Lugo (3-0)

Lugo is only 3-0 as a pro but he’s been very impressive including a win over John Douma is his last fight. Lugo does have a grappling game but on the feet is where he excels. He’s a tricky fighter who utilizes his striking from the end of his punches. He holds his hands low to his waist in what could be a problem but it allows the angles he uses to stay hidden. Lugo frequently switches stances giving different looks. Overall a young and talented fighter. He fights Cortavious Romious (4-0).

Bantamweight, Cortavious Romious (4-0)

As an amateur Romious had a highlight-reel head kick knockout that went viral. That’s not the style of Romious though as he’s a much better wrestler and grappler. He’s an extremely explosive athlete and a very fast starter. He has strong textbook wrestling and on top his ground and pound is fight-ending. He has been put on his back before but is so strong and scrambles so well he always wins the position. Only 26, he has a bright future. He fights Jornel Lugo (3-0).

Showcase MMA 13 | Friday | US

Featherweight, Cole Ferrell (8-0)

Cole Ferrell hasn’t been touched in his professional career and has rarely ever been in any kind of trouble. Ferrell has shown glimpses of power in his hands but is a good wrestler with a very solid ground game. He has shown that he has a tight grip when he gets the neck, hence why his seven submission wins have all come by way of a choke. If there is one knock on Cole Ferrell, it would be that he needs a step up in competition. He fights Kelli Gottardo (2-3).

Brave CF 39 | Saturday | Sweeden

Middleweight, Andreas Gustafsson Berg (5-0)

Andreas Gustafsson is an absolute beast who rather resembles UFC fighter Mark O. Madsen. “Bane” is a powerhouse wrestler who enjoys the big body lock takedowns. His wrestling is spectacular and that includes his entrances, setups, raw power, and his excellent chain wrestling. The man is a huge problem on the mat as his ground and pound is constantly pouring down no matter what position he’s in. Gustafsson is all over his foes from start to finish always moving on the mat and always landing something. His cardio is solid as well especially with the pace he has. There hasn’t been an opportunity to see how his striking really is but he at least strikes well to close the distance. He’s indeed a problem. He fights Miro Jurković (10-2) who is a good test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YubaihCDgVY&t=256s

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