Prospect in the Spotlight (Dec 13-14): Azamat Kerefov

Introduction

Sunday, December15th, Russian flyweight prospect Azamat Kerefov will be in action for ACA, where he will be looking continue his winning ways against Anatoly Kondratiev. He will be looking for another win, as Kerefov looks to stay undefeated in his 17-fight career. He represents Gladiator Fight Team, a solid camp in MMA. Let’s take a closer look at this prospect as this week’s “Prospect Spotlight.”

Strengths

Complete Ground Game: Kerefov is a top-notch wrestler, solid submission grappler and effective ground-and-pound artist. All of those things in unison show he has a very complete ground game, which is why he’s been so successful in the shark tank that is the Russian regional MMA scene.

Strength of Schedule: Kerefov does not take easy fights, which makes his 17-0 record even more impressive. A list of his most impressive victories come over top Russian flyweight Kurban Gadzhiev (twice), top flyweight prospect Aren Akopyan, former undefeated prospect Mansur Khatuev, veteran Goga Shamatava, tough vet Rasul Albaskhanov, Felipe Pereira and Osimkhon Rakhmonov. That is a murderer’s row of opponents that Kerefov has run through.

Needs Improvement

Age and Decisions: Kerefov is 33 years old right now, which is getting up there in age for guys the UFC looks at. His athletic prime is near past, though he doesn’t fight like that. He’ll be 34 in May. That will work against Kerefov. Also, he is a decision machine, something the UFC brass, including Dana White, are not the hottest on. Kerefov cannot control his age, but the decisions are something he needs to end, as 11 of his 17 wins come by judge’s scorecards.

Outlook

UFC Contender or Continued Regional Champ: As mentioned, at Kerefov’s age, the reach of the UFC could be at a fingertips length for the Russian fighter, so if he were to get there, it needs to be now. Dana White isn’t a fan of “mid-30-year-old contenders,” which will definitely work against Kerefov. That said, he could be top-10 in the UFC right now if he were brought to the roster. The guy has dominated in Russia against some of the best talent they have to offer, some of whom should be in the UFC as well. Because of his style and age, though, I think he continues to be a dominant regional champion in Russia.