CFFC 100 | US | Thursday

Lightweight, Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov (5-1)

Originally from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Kamchybekov has been living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His only loss is to current UFC fighter Matt Semelsberger; that went to a split decision. Kamchybekov is well-rounded and has the ability to be fighting for a big promotion at this time. On the feet, he fights very patiently picking his shots. He throws a lot of kicks from the outside and isn’t stingy as he goes to the legs, body, and head. Kamchybekov throws some nice straight punches and his immense power in his hands. Kamchybekov does a solid job punching his way into takedowns. He’s a capable grappler despite having the knockout finishes. It looks like he has a lot to use so watch out for this guy. Kamchybekov defends his CFFC title against Blake Smith (5-2).

Check out the CFFC 100 results here.

Bellator 266 | US | Saturday

Light heavyweight, Christian Edwards (5-0)

Edwards is one of the hottest prospects today coming out of Jackson-Wink MMA and is a sparring partner of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. A young kid but he has the attributes to go really far in this sport. Edwards has some sick thai clinch work with nice knees and elbows. He lands often stepping in with strikes and finishes in the clinch with excellent work. Also mixing in a few takedowns while showing solid cardio. He’s also already gone three rounds twice and looked really good. He fights Ben Parrish (4-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bps5DI6pQiM&t=4s

Light heavyweight, Grant Neal (6-0)

After going 6-0 as an amateur Neal is currently 6-0 as a pro. Neal is a wrestler first. If he doesn’t finish the fight early he can dominate the fight with relentless takedowns. Once he gets his hands clasped he will dump you on your back in a big way. Neal stays busy with ground and pound and can throw at the same pace and pick it up later in the later rounds even. He fights Alex Polizzi (8-1).

Light heavyweight, Alex Polizzi (8-1)

Polizzi has the recipe to be a big prospect in the 205lb weight class. His only loss is to the surging Julius Anglickas. Polizzi was a D1 wrestler at Northwestern University from 2010-2015 and was a state champion. Polizzi needs work on his stand-up but his wrestling and athleticism will take him far. His ground and pound have been his best weapon to date. He fights Grant Neal (6-0).

Titan FC 72 | US | Friday

Bantamweight, Ryan Kuse (4-0)

Kuse is a young fighter with a lot of promise. On the feet, Kuse fights at distance with kicks and long punches. He’s just as good as a wrestler as he is a striker. Kuse has been dominant on top position and is smooth in transitions. His ground and pound is arguably his best weapon. He’s well-rounded but needs a step up in competition. Kuse fights Rob Fuller (1-12).

Rizin 30 | Japan | Sunday

Lightweight, Koji Takeda (12-1)

Takeda has one sole loss to former UFC fighter Damien Brown. Since then he’s got back on the board with four wins. Takeda is the former DEEP Impact lightweight champion with two title defenses. He’s well-rounded with submission wins and TKO wins, although he has gone the distance six times. On the feet, Takeda has an excellent jab and fights behind it very well. He doesn’t have the power, but it’s the accumulation of strikes he lands that is fantastic. He’s just so technical on the feet and is also a good wrestler/grappler and can do it the whole distance of the fight. He fights Yusuke Yachi (22-11).

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: Bellator, Titan FC and RIZIN appeared first on Cageside Press.

The plucky regional promotion has become known for having CM Punk on its broadcasts alongside MMA Junkie’s John Morgan. Along the way, it’s helped propel a number of fighters onward to the UFC, including Jasmine Jasudavicius, who earned her contract in the big show on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this week. Not to mention bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, Shane Burgos, Jimmie Rivera, Jim Miller, Pat Sabatini, and Paul Felder. And many more.

Even the late Kimbo Slice plied his trade for Cage Fury, back in 2007 in an exhibition fight against boxing’s Ray Mercer.

Then there was that time a fighter lost his finger during a CFFC broadcast.

For it’s 100th outing, the lightweight title will be on the line. In the main event, 155lb champ Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov will defend his title for the first time, against Blake Smith.

CFFC 100 takes place live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa on Thursday, Sept. 16. The event streams via UFC Fight Pass kicking off at 6PM ET; full results are below.

CFFC 100: Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov vs. Blake Smith Results

Main Card

Blake Smith def. Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov (c) by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 0:49 — for the CFFC lightweight championship
Jason Eastman def. Andrew Richardson by submission (d’arce choke), Round 2, 3:17
Paris Artis def. Feraris Golden Jr. by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 3, 3:15
Michael Dufort def. Troy Gerhart by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 2:01
Charles “Chuck Buffalo” Radtke def. Brandon Lopez by knockout, Round 2, 3:31
Brandon Murphy def. Dave Romano by knockout (head kick), Round 1, 0:56

Preliminary Card

Brandon Moran def. Adam Amado by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Will Rentz def. Quintin Bray by TKO (Punches), Round 2, 2:48
Jesse Romano def. Andres Davalos by TKO (Punches), Round 2, 2:58
Itso Babulaidze def. Lucas LaRue by unanimous decision (score not announced)

The post CFFC 100: Kamchybekov vs. Smith Results 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.