We’re quickly approaching the end of this latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series, and Season 5, Week 8 was likely to see the total number of contracts handed out in Season 3 matched if not surpassed. The 2019 edition of DWCS handed out 30 UFC contracts; last season dished out a total of 37. Prior to Tuesday’s installment, which saw Caio Borralho get his second chance on the show in a matter of weeks, 28 deals had been handed out in Season 5.

We’ve got five more fights to break down this week, so lets get to it!

Welterweight: Solomon Renfro Vs. Jonny Parsons

Tale of the Tape

Pros and Cons

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Renfro
Speed: Renfro
Output/Volume: Renfro
Knockout Power: Renfro
Chin: Parsons
Kickboxing: Even
Footwork: Renfro
Wrestling: Renfro
Grappling: Renfro
Submissions: Renfro
Cardio: Parsons

Prediction

It’s evident that Renfro has massively improved over his last few fights. Early as a pro Renfro was winning close fights and wasn’t performing to the best of his ability. Ever since training at Tiger Schulmann he’s a much better fighter. Even his loss to Mike Malott, he was winning until he got caught.

I expect a striking battle but Renfro has a clear wrestling and grappling advantage if he wants it. Both guys are flat-footed pocket strikers with a lot of power. Renfro has adopted that Muay Thai base at Tiger Schulmann throwing heavy leg kicks and sitting down more on his punches. As a striker I strongly favor Renfro. Compared to Parsons he’s much faster, more explosive, and more powerful. The only concern for him is that Parsons is tough, and additionally there’s a question as to how Renfro will look deep in this fight if it gets there. That said I don’t think it gets there. I think Renfro is too much against someone much slower and stationary. Betting wise I like the Renfro money line and to go for even more I like him by submission as well.

The post DWCS 2021 Week 8 Breakdown and Predictions appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sources confirmed the booking to Cageside Press, speaking on condition of anonymity as the fight has not yet been announced. The fight is expected for October 19.

Machado fights out of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has also competed in boxing and kickboxing outside of MMA, and held titles in all three sports. The Brazilian is 8-2 in MMA and has won her last six fights. Her two losses came consecutively in 2017 and she hasn’t lost since.

Machado has fought for Future FC and Shooto Brasil which are two major promotions out of Brazil. She’s fought at strawweight quite a few times but is naturally an atomweight. With no atomweight division in the UFC Machado has strawweight on her mind to get into the UFC.

“Tina Black” will share the cage with Piera “La Fiera” Rodriguez Giunta this October on the Contender Series. Rodriguez, born in Venezuela and living in Spain, has recently been in California training out of Black House MMA. She’s 6-0 with five finishes all by KO/TKO, and her fight that went the distance was a dominating performance.

Rodriguez made her U.S. and LFA debut just last April. She fought a top prospect in Svetlana Gotsyk. Gotsyk was her biggest test to date and Rodriguez won by stoppage in the fifth and final round. Rodriguez won the LFA strawweight title to cap off that night.

The post Valesca Machado vs. Piera Rodriguez Booked for Contender Series on October 19 appeared first on Cageside Press.

ACA 122 | Belarus | Friday

Featherweight, Elismar Lima (23-7)

The 32-year-old Brazilian Lima has been in the sport of MMA for nine years and despite enduring a lot of setbacks, he’s had more successes. At least in the last five years, he’s only lost to good fighters and on the other side has beat good fighters. Lima is a dangerous striker with a lot of pop in his hands, his forward movement, his accuracy, and his bodywork. His biggest issue is his takedown defense but he does well off his back. He’s competed in some grappling matches but at least in MMA he hasn’t been a submission threat. He’s still a threat overall with good top position and ground and pound. He fights the well-known Levan Makashvili (14-7-1).

PFL #1 | US | Friday

Lightweight, Natan Schulte (20-3)

Schulte came into PFL in mid-2018 with an 11-3 record. Someone that wasn’t a favorite at all, he is now the favorite and the two-time PFL lightweight tournament winner. Schulte isn’t perfect – he gets tired, he gets hit a lot, and his takedown defense isn’t the best. It’s his forward pressure and will that have seen him prevail in his career. What Schulte brings to the table is solid jiu-jitsu and opposing striking. Schulte is always in your face throwing short tight strikes and chopping low calf kicks — that’s one of his better weapons. He’s a good wrestler especially with some solid judo throws. He has it all. Schulte fights the well-traveled Marcin Held (26-7).

Featherweight, Movlid Khaybulaev (15-0-1)

Khaybulaev is a very solid fighter all around, and he is really technical in his stand-up. He throws a lot of spinning attacks, not overdoing it, but that is a good thing. Khaybulaev uses the flying knee often, which he’s used to knock out opponents. With that said, he also has good wrestling; he is able to shoot in for a double leg or he can lift and slam you to the mat. Khaybulaev can usually get the fight down multiple times in a bout. He fights Lazar Stojadinovic (14-7).

Lightweight, Mikhail Odintsov (17-2)

In his last eleven fights, Mikhail Odintsov has only lost one bout and has won now six in a row. On the feet, he throws a lot. He throws a variety of weapons and throws to the legs, body, and head. Odintsov utilizes a lot of feints to time his shots shooting very low double leg takedowns. He has exceptional grappling and fight-ending ground and pound. He fights Akhmet Aliev (19-6).

AKA 114 | Friday | US

Welterweight, AJ Fletcher (7-0)

Since losing two consecutive fights as an amateur in 2018, Fletcher has hit his stride. The Louisiana-born fighter has looked excellent across seven pro bouts. The fighting style of Fletcher slightly resembles Contender Series veteran and UFC fighter Ian Heinisch. Fletcher is a strong wrestler with heavy hands along with good cardio. He fights Ariel Juarez (3-4).

LFA 105 | US | Friday

Strawweight, Svetlana Gotsyk (13-4)

Gotsyk is mainly a wrestler with ferocious ground and pound until she sees an opening for an armbar. On the feet, she stands at 5″2′ making it hard for her to get inside and strike, but that doesn’t affect her being able to stand and brawl, which is where she thrives. She is still really green but is young and getting better with each fight. One of her four losses came early in her career to current UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang. She fights Pierangela Rodriguez (5-0).

Strawweight, Pierangela Rodriguez (5-0)

Rodriguez is an all-action-type fighter who is a fun one to watch. She does need to work on her takedown defense as that is by far her weakest area. Rodriguez loves to just throw her hands. In her constant rapid attack, she does hit hard and is pretty accurate. Rodriguez is untested and still green but the potential is there. She fights Svetlana Gotsyk (13-4).

Strawweight, Tabatha Ricci (4-0)

Ricci is a judo black belt and a training partner of UFC’s Mackenzie Dern. On the feet, Ricci is a buzzsaw in blitzes dishing out a lot of output. She strikes well to close the distance and once she gets the takedown she’s where she wants to be. Ricci has strong jiu-jitsu, that being her best weapon. You can’t complain about anything she does grappling-wise as she is very good. She fights Shawna Ormsby (2-3).

Light heavyweight, Bruce Souto (13-3)

Souto hasn’t fought in nearly two years and for his return fight, he’s moving up to light heavyweight. Souto was a big welterweight so it makes sense. Souto has fought for M1, ACB, Jungle Fights, and Future FC. He’s on an eight-fight win streak beating some solid dudes. Souto is a good striker with a lot of forward pressure. He does well at coming forward closing the distance and tripping his opponents to the mat. Where he does his best work is on the mat. His ground and pound is good and is just as dangerous as a submission threat. Souto has excellent cardio which sets him apart. He fights Cristhian Torres (15-11).

Welterweight, Mark Martin (5-1)

Mark Martin doesn’t have much MMA experience but is a highly touted wrestler. Some of his accolades including being a Fila junior national champ, a two-time Ohio high school state champ, and a three-time D1 national qualifier from Ohio State University. Martin is obviously a strong wrestler and will decide the wrestle the entire fight. He also strikes his way into wrestling attempts well. Martin has a good submission attack and has gone three rounds already so that looks good. He fights Renato Valente (7-3).

KSW 60 | Poland | Saturday

Featherweight, Vojto Barborik (12-1)

Currently on a ten-fight win streak, Vojto Barborik’s only loss is to a good fighter in Tomas Deak. Barborik is primarily a wrestler who chains together his takedown attempts well. He’s a monster on top with active and heavy ground and pound. He’s very sound with nasty elbows and heavy hammer fists. Barborik doesn’t have many TKO stoppages as nine of his wins are via submission. He fights Krzysztof Klaczek (12-6).

Featherweight, Patryk Kaczmarczyk (6-0)

Kaczmarczyk is one of the many bright young prospects out of Poland. The 23-year-old has a lot of good things going for him. On the feet, Kaczmarczyk is a good counter striker, throws heavy leg kicks, has a dangerous lead flying knee he throws, and throws in combinations. He excels when the fight is in close quarters using excellent offensive and defensive wrestling. Kaczmarczyk is a problem on the mat as his transitions are smooth and is always working to improve his position and finish the fight. He really has it all. He fights Michał Sobiech (4-0).

RCC | Russia | Saturday

Heavyweight, Andre Miranda (7-2)

Miranda started off his career at 0-2 but has hit his stride and won his next seven fights. Miranda utilizes a lot of feints/twitches to keep his opponents guessing. “Monstro” has solid hand speed, often firing right down the middle. He also throws some heavy kicks mixing it up well. He tends to get drawn into brawls and he’s just relentless with his hands. He fights Alexander Podmarev (9-4).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: PFL is Back! appeared first on Cageside Press.

In this three-part feature, we’ll list prospects the UFC should bring in for season five. This will exclude prospects that have already been on the show, although there are a few that could very well be brought back (and at least one, Aaron Jeffery, that will be). The goal here is to be realistic with the selections, so don’t expect too many left-field picks.

From last year’s list, Tafon Nchukwi, Dustin Stoltzfus, Brandon Royval, Collin Anglin, TJ Laramie, Adrian Yanez, Al Matavao, Nikolas Motta, Cody Brundage, Sherrard Blackledge and more all made it to the show. Others, like Anthony Ivy, Kay Hansen, Max Rohskopf, Timur Valiev, and Irwin Rivera, were signed directly to the UFC, to varying degrees of success.

It’s time for our third and final installment. If you missed them, parts one and two are linked below.

Scouting Prospects for Dana White’s Contender Series Season 5, Part 1

Scouting Prospects for Dana White’s Contender Series Season 5, Part 2

Paul Capaldo

Bantamweight | 24 | New Jersey, US | 6-0 | Win streak: 11 | 4 KO/TKOs

6-0 as a pro and 5-0 as an amateur, Capaldo is a solid prospect out of Nick Catone MMA and Fitness. Capaldo is on the correct path to get to the UFC having all his pro fights under the CFFC banner. His highlight-reel wheel kick knockout in his last bout does nothing but help his case. Capaldo could just get more experience and come onto the Contender Series in 2022 but does have the skillset to be on the show this year, and would give anyone problems.

AJ Fletcher

Welterweight | 24 | Lafayette, Louisiana, US | 7-0 | Win streak: 10 | 3 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions’

Since losing two consecutive fights as an amateur in 2018, Fletcher has hit his stride. The Louisiana-born fighter has looked excellent across seven pro bouts. “The Ghost” has been very active since turning professional even fighting four times in 2019. The fighting style of Fletcher slightly resembles Contender Series veteran and UFC fighter Ian Heinishch. I’m sure a young welterweight with an undefeated record will attract a spot on the show.

The post Scouting Prospects for the Contender Series Season 5: Part 3 appeared first on Cageside Press.

There’s always a need for fresh talent, of course. While the UFC remains non-committal on the featherweight division (former boxer Danielle Wolf being their only 145lb signing in 2020), the other weight classes could use some reinforcements.

Last year, five of our picks made it to the big show. Can we do better this time out?

Here’s a look at last year’s list, with Casey O’Neill, Cheyanne Buys, Liliya Shakirova, Luana Pinheiro, and Mariya Agapova signing with the UFC in 2020:

Casey O’Neill
Cheyanne Buys
Hailey Cowan
Julia Polastri
Kanako Murata
Liliya Shakirova
Linda Darrow
Lisa Verzosa
Lucrezia Ria
Luana Pinheiro
Mariya Agapova
Melissa Martinez
Mandy Bohm
Maria Silva
Svetlana Gotsyk

Now on with the show!

The post 15 Female Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2021 appeared first on Cageside Press.

This edition of the Weekly MMA Prospect Report, with that in mind, is quite frankly subject to change.

Fury FC 43 | Friday | US

Bantamweight: Leomana Martinez (6-1)

Despite a split-decision loss to Dulani Perry, Leomana Martinez has looked very good. He’s a technically sound kickboxer who has some slick hands as well. “Manaboi” fights behind his leg kicks throwing them often and very hard. He has ended a fight with leg kicks but will mix it up as he holds a head kick knockout as well. Martinez hasn’t spent much time on the mat in his pro career but has three arm-bar wins as an amateur. On the feet, though he’s just so good thanks to his speed, counter ability, power, and excellent accuracy and timing. He fights Peter Caballero (7-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U724Otru1xU

Bantamweight: Adrian Yanez (10-3)

Adrian Yanez is a good young talent who has only lost to good fighters and is still only 26. His biggest weakness is his takedown defense. It’s not poor, it just takes him time to stuff shots. He only has two submissions but has some credible BJJ to give guys issues. On the feet is where he wants to be mainly; it’s where all of his finishes have come. Yanez has slick boxing that includes head movement, quick hands, going body-head, and excellent placement. I really like the future of this kid. He fights Ricky Turcios (10-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tEE0VZWFSQ

LXF 5 | Friday | US

Featherweight: Melsik Baghdasaryan (4-1)

Melsik Baghdasaryan doesn’t have a lot of MMA experience and his competition has been horrible but the potential is there. Baghdasaryan does have a lot of experience in other combat sports, mainly boxing, and kickboxing. He’s competed in the K-1 Grand Prix, is a former WLF World Kick Boxing Champion, and a 3-0 pro boxer. Losing his pro debut he has won his next four. He has got the job done early with a 7, 14, and 9-second finish. Of course, there is still so much we need to see of him though. He fights Ysidro Gutierrez (5-3).

Bellator 241 | Friday | US

Middleweight: Anatoly Tokov (29-3)

Anatoly Tokov is an excellent prospect out of Russia with an impressive record with plenty of experience. Tokov is 22-1 in his last 24 fights as his only loss is to UFC fighter Ramazan Emeev. He does have wins over solid competition including former champion Alexander Shlemenko. With a background in combat sambo, he is a great wrestler and the ground-and-pound he possesses on top is his best aspect. Tokov has heavy hands and is very aggressive with great cardio. Tokov is a major prospect and a possible future Bellator champion. He fights Fabio Aguiar (17-1).

Welterweight: Robson Gracie Jr. (3-0)

Every MMA fan is familiar with the legendary last name Gracie. More and more it seems like a new Gracie is making a slight name for themselves. Robson Gracie Jr. is, of course, most comfortable on the mat as his BJJ is his specialty. All three of his wins have come by submission and all three are a form of a different sub. The Gracia family is known for their jiu-jitsu and no so much on the feet and it looks like Robson doesn’t have a lot to offer standing. He does have excellent jiu-jitsu but does have a lot to show first. He fights Billy Goff (2-2).

Welterweight: Mark Lemminger (10-1)

Mark Lemminger is a wrestling based fighter, and he’s a high level one at that, excelling on the regional scene. He is a physical powerhouse once he gets control in the clinch. He ragdolls guys, making it look like a professional wrestling match the way he slings opponents around. He doesn’t just rely on strength, on his takedowns he uses solid technique as well including inside trip takedowns, outside trip takedowns, and sweeping the legs out on his opponents – all beautifully done. On top, he has fight-ending ground and pound, staying active and always throwing while keeping full control. On the feet, Lemminger doesn’t usually stay striking, as he usually initiates the clinch, but he is getting better and better. He does hit hard, wobbling and even dropping his opponents, but he needs a lot of refining. He fights Ion Pascu (18-10).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiN4pXqVW9Y

 Combate 57 | Friday | US

Flyweight: Juan Puerta (18-6)

Juan Puerta has had a lot of speed bumps in his career but has now hit his stride and is on a seven-fight win streak, the biggest of his career. On the feet, Puerta uses his range well with jabs and knees. He’s much better on the mat, though, using his length. Puerta is a big submission threat with nearly all his fights going that way. He shows how dangerous he is on the mat with his versatile submission attack holding five different submissions. He fights Ivan Lopez (14-4-1).

AFL 23 | Saturday | Spain

Strawweight: Pierangela Rodriguez Giunta (5-0)

Pierangela Rodriguez Giunta is an all-action type fighter who is a fun one to watch. She badly needs to work on her takedown defense as that is by far her weakest area. Rodriguez loves to just throw her hands. In her constant rapid attack, she does hit hard and is pretty accurate. Her aggressive style is one of the reasons she has a 100% finish rate. She fights Samantha Jean-Francois (3-6).

Caged Steel Contenders 2 | Saturday | UK

Bantamweight: Adam Bramhald (8-2)

Adam Bramhald has some experience in kickboxing going 4-0 in K1. Only losing to good fighters in Luke Shanks and Scott Malone, at just 25, he has a promising future. On the feet, he’s very technical and throws a lot of output. Bramhald is dynamic and does a great job throwing with his punches and kicks. Not the most powerful but has everything else. He fights Francisco Javier Asprilla Martinez (14-13-1).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: For Those Events Moving Forward, Here’s Who to Look Out For appeared first on Cageside Press.

WXC 86 | Wednesday | US

Featherweight: Collin Anglin (6-1)

Collin Anglin is a confident fighter who keeps his hands low but relies on his movement. Anglin switches stances often and stays busy throwing combinations from a lot of angles. He throws mainly in bursts and throws well mixing in kicks to his arsenal. Anglin also has some good head movement and exceptional cardio getting better as the fight goes on. Not fully sold on him yet as he needs to fight better competition. He fights Will Frost (1-1).

UAE Warriors 10 | Friday | Abu Dhabi

Lightweight: Josh Togo (7-3)

A few years ago, Togo was on a three-fight skid. Now he’s won his last three fights (also a NC) and is the current Eternal MMA lightweight champ. Togo doesn’t have a lot of power but has the technical ability on the outside to work opponents. He will pick his foes apart with lead leg kicks, lead uppercuts, and jabs mixing it up. He fights Ali Dyusenov (3-2).

UCC 48 | Friday | Panama

Strawweight: Pierangela Rodriguez Giunta (4-0)

Pierangela Rodriguez Giunta is an all-action type fighter who is a fun one to watch. She badly needs to work on her takedown defense as that is by far her weakest area. Rodriguez loves to just throw her hands. In her constant rapid attack, she does hit hard and is pretty accurate. Her aggressive style is one of the reasons she has a 100% finish rate. She fights her biggest challenge to date in Kayla Hracho (1-0).

ONE Championship | Friday | Philippines

Flyweight: Lito Adiwang (10-2)

Fighting out of the Philippines, Lito Adiwang is on a roll winning his last six fights. On the feet, Adiwang is very explosive and has a lot of power in his hands. On the mat, he is good on top and has solid ground and pound. He can be a bit flat-footed but makes up for it with his blitzes and power. Adiwang has that one-punch stopping power. He fights Pongsiri Mitsatit (10-4) who is his biggest challenge to date.

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

LFA 81 | Friday | US

Featherweight: Jamall Emmers (16-4)

Jamall Emmers is a very technical striker that always throws one-two’s as the power isn’t there but the combinations and aggressiveness shine. The wrestling is solid where his shots are perfectly-timed and solid execution is done very well. With his upcoming fight with Rafael Barbosa, himself a very good prospect, there is a lot of promise for the winner.

Emmers has some good wins but he has huge wins against UFC contenders Alexander Hernandez and Cory Sandhagen. In 2018 he had a chance at a UFC contract on the Contender Series but lost to Julian Erosa. Since then, Emmers is on a three-fight win streak. He fights a tough prospect in Rafael Barbosa (12-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METD7qU-KB0

CFFC 81 | Saturday | US

Middleweigh: Kyle Daukaus (8-0)

On the feet, Kyle Daukaus is not great but throws a lot of volume and is very good using his length. He’s much more versed on the mat and his wrestling to get in there is good. Daukaus has a good submission base with seven wins by submission with his D’Arce choke being a prime choice. He’s active with his submission attempts and his ground and pound as well. He fights Nolan Norwood (12-5).

Bantamweight: Alexander Keshtov (9-0)

Alexander Keshtov is an undefeated fighter out of the amazing camp K-Dojo Warrior Tribe training with some UFC fighters and other top prospects. Keshtov is an excellent prospect as he is super diverse, throwing many different attacks both with his striking and kicks and he puts them all together perfectly. While his wrestling hasn’t been on display much, he owns solid takedown defense. He definitely looks like a future UFC fighter. He fights Herbeth Sousa (14-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BOSDmsyVSg

Bantamweight: Herbeth Sousa (14-1)

With only one loss, Herbeth Sousa is currently on a three-fight win streak. “Indio” is an aggressive grappler who has ten submissions all coming in the first round. His wrestling is solid but obviously, it’s the grappling that’s key. His transitions are smooth and his finishing ability on the submissions is dangerous as he is a black belt in BJJ. He still needs some work on the feet but only 25-years-old, not even in his prime in MMA terms. He fights Alexander Keshtov (9-0).

Featherweight: Pat Sabatini (11-2)

Pat Sabatini has only two losses in his career to top prospects in Jose Mariscal and Robert Watley. Sabatini does have a background in grappling, competing in several competitions, and has a background in combat sambo. Sabatini is clearly dangerous on the mat with nine finishes all coming by submission. He is very improved with solid trip takedowns, good ground-and-pound, improved stand up and excellent cardio. He fights James Gonzalez (5-3).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: CFFC 81 Takes Center Stage appeared first on Cageside Press.