Best Prospects of the Week (4/3-4/5)

After a loaded weekend of regional MMA, we sort of slow down this weekend in the regional MMA scene. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:

1. Kyle Mayocchi (Featherweight, Australia, Shooto): Our first of two early-week fighters is City Kickboxing rep Kyle Mayocchi, another strong prospect coming from that top gym in Australia. While having a strong striking camp in his corner, Mayocchi is an impressive submission wrestler that does his best work when he’s able to score the takedown and inflict damage from the top. He beat a 30-fight Japanese veteran in his most recent outing and looks to carry the weight of that win into his current fight against Akitaka Uto.
2. Victor Valenzuela (Welterweight, Chile, Shooto): The other fighter competing in the early-week Shooto card to watch is Contender Series vet Victor Valenzuela. Valenzuela had the unfortunate short straw that he drew in the form of Michael Oliveira on the Contender Series, who blasted through the MMA Masters rep. He’s a gifted striker who uses a great variety of techniques between his punches, kicks, knees, etc. His next opponent will be UFC vet Yusaku Kinoshita, his first fight since his 2025 Contender Series loss.
3. Alexander Chavez (Flyweight, Peru, Inka FC): Before the weekend hits, another international card will take place and undefeated Peruvian flyweight Alexander Chavez will be at the top of that card. For a flyweight, Chavez has good power in his hands and has great stopping power. His competition level hasn’t been superb yet, but he has shown flashes of brilliance in the cage that make him an interesting prospect. He meets regional journeyman Francisco Neves in the Inka FC main event.
4. Ghassen Jbalia (Featherweight, France, Ares FC): Ares FC continues to feature intriguing prospects, including one of their main event talents in Ghassen Jbalia. Jbalia is a ground fighter, possessing a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt that aids him to most of his stoppages. He has a good submission ability, but his ground-and-pound is very strong as well. He’s coming off his biggest career win for his main event slot this weekend against Fabacary Diatta.
5. Xavier Franklin (Bantamweight, United States, LFA): Headlining the LFA card this weekend will be Xavier Franklin, a Contender Series alum that continues to be an intriguing prospect. Franklin is a good striker with natural athleticism which aids him in the cage. He has solid takedown defense, though it has been his undoing in his loss and draw in his most recent bout. He takes on Micaias Urena in a very intriguing main event that could provide a 2026 Contender Series participant.
6. Nyle Bartling (Heavyweight, United States, LFA): Also on that LFA card is Nyle Bartling, a TUF alum and college wrestler who has jumped on and off the radar as a prospect. He’s getting up there in age for an MMA fighter at 33, but the University of Nebraska product is still vying for his shot in the big leagues. His game revolves around shooting the takedown, getting on top and slamming punches from top. That style can help submissions open up as well. He has nine finishes by knockout and submission. He takes on Charlie Cleveland, a lesser-known opponent who could be a tough out.
7. Ezra Elliott (Featherweight, United States, United Fight League): Moving on to UFL, undefeated prospect Ezra Elliott looks to continue his emergence as an unheralded top prospect. The 25-year-old MMA Lab rep has been thoroughly dominant thus far in his MMA career, running a 6-0 record with all first-round stoppages. He is an excellent submission wrestler and his favorite technique is the D’arce choke, which he has scored wins with in three pro bouts. He takes on journeyman Marlon Gonzales this weekend in another showcase bout for the young prospect.
8. Matias Uribe (Light Heavyweight, Chile, Samurai Fight House): Our under-the-radar prospect of the week is Chilean wrestler Matias Uribe, a fighter in a weight class that’s desperate for talent like his. He has international wrestling experience, which is his base for fighting, but he’s coupled that with a purple belt in Brazilian jii-jitsu. His striking is still developing, but while doing so, he will continue to impose his game via the takedown. He has solid ground-and-pound which has led to stoppages in two of his three pro bouts. He meets Estanislao Licata in his next bout this weekend.
9. Lucas Miletich (Featherweight, Argentina, Samurai Fight House): Finishing out weekend off at Samurai Fight House, our first of two prospects we will examine is Lucas Miletich. The 13-2 fighter is well-rounded, but it’s his striking that is the most impressive part to watch when he fights. He has strong Thai skills, which include in the clinch with his knees and dirty boxing. He has quality experience which is why his prospect record is legitimate. He squares off with Heber Pereyra in the main event of Samurai House on Sunday.
10. Jarret Bettancourt (Flyweight, United States, Samurai Fight House): The last fighter we examine will be Jarret Bettancourt, an undefeated American looking to score a win on foreign territory. Bettancourt has not really tested himself against talent that could provide us a look into his potential at “the next level.” That said, he does have a solid submission offense and good power striking for a 125 pounder. He has the tools and athleticism to become an interesting flyweight prospect, he just needs to apply those against more accredited competition. He takes on 19-fight vet Dionel Sosa this weekend as he looks to stay undefeated

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS:

1. Norbert Novenyi Jr continued his post PFL-ator win streak, scoring a knockout over Clement Giordanengo at Hexagone MMA.
2. Richie Lewis took another setback at CFFC, losing via armbar to UFC vet Nick Fiore.
3. Richard Martins won another post-TUF fight, knocking out Vanderlei Goncalves in the main event of LFA.
4. Phumi Nkuta scored yet another decision victory over Namiki Kawahara to score the A1 Combat Flyweight Championship.
5. Naertai Kezibayi missed weight for his fight at JCK Kings and had his fight cancelled.
6. Asaf Chopurov took home UAE Warriors gold, choking out Adriano Ramos in quick, dominant fashion.
7. Dzhamaludin Aliev had his fight at UAE Warriors cancelled and did not compete.
8. Ernesto Rodriguez edged out Matsuyuki Kikuri on the judge’s scorecards in the PFL in a very close decision.
9. Jakub Kaszuba scored a decision win over Natan Schulte on the PFL card as well.
10. Alisson Murilo had a stiff test at SFT and came up short, falling by decision to Fernando Laurenco.