Prospect in the Spotlight (Apr 10-11): Ilias Bulaid

Introduction

Saturday, April 11th, Dutch featherweight prospect Ilias Bulaid will be in action for Levels Fight League, where he will be looking continue his winning ways against Edgar Oliveira. He will be looking for another win, as Bulaid looks to inch closer to a UFC contract. He represents SBG Ireland, a respected camp in MMA. Let’s take a closer look at this prospect as this week’s “Prospect Spotlight.”

Strengths

Kickboxing: Bulaid has a very extensive professional kickboxing career and joins a plethora of former top kickboxers to successfully make the move to mixed martial arts. He was 25-6 as a kickboxer, with ten of those wins by way of knockout. That style has continued over to MMA, where he is undefeated at 8-0 with four wins by way of knockout. His leg kicks are brutal and he strings together high-level combinations with a variety of techniques. He has a kickboxing advantage with virtually any fighter he steps in the cage with.

Clinch: Not only is Bulaid a good kickboxer, but he’s shown great competency in the clinch, a trademark of Muay Thai. His knees are brutal and he has great control and posture in the clinch. He can clinch in the open or against the cage, using his position to dominate, wear down and inflict damage on his opponents.

Needs Improvement

Counter-Wrestling Question Marks: The one thing we need to see more of with Bulaid is his counter-wrestling, as he has not really had it tested to this point. He’s obviously competent with submissions, as he has a finish with an anaconda choke. However, he has not really fought anybody who can greatly test his takedown defense or really put him on his back effectively. As he moves up in competition, this will definitely be more tested.

Outlook

UFC Midcarder: Bulaid is the type of fighter Dana White likes just based on his kickboxing background. That’s why I am shocked he didn’t get immediately signed once he was released from his Bellator contract during the acquisition by the PFL. He has Moroccan ancestry and given the push into the Middle East by the UFC and the desire to have fighters from there and North Africa, I can’t imagine they aren’t keeping tabs on him. He is somebody who could have a nice career with the company.