Best Prospects of Week (5/1-5/3)

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

1. Keito Yamakita (Flyweight, Japan, ONE Championship): Kicking off the week will be ONE Championship and one of their best flyweights will be competing in Keito Yamakita. Yamakita has just one loss to his name in ONE, but has otherwise been impressive. He is a grappler first, though he does have some solid striking. A lot of times that is used to set up the takedowns and the mat work. This weekend he takes on 25-fight veteran Ryohei Kurosawa.
2. Avazbek Kholmirzaev (Bantamweight, Uzbekistan, ONE Championship): Sticking with ONE we next look at Avazbek Kholmirzaev, who will be fighting for ONE FC gold. The Uzbek has been nothing short of impressive thus far with ONE, showing off an impressive striking, wrestling and submission arsenal. He graduated from ONE Friday Fights to the main show, so he’s really been an organic prospect for ONE. He fights Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE FC Bantamweight Championship this weekend.
3. Andres Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight, Ecuador, FFC): Contender Series vet Andres Luna Martinetti has been on a serious tear since losing in his one Contender Series appearance and is likely looking for another spot on that show with a win here. His brother, Adrian, fought on the Contender Series last year and earned a contract, so that is likely making Andres hungrier. He has a very good ground game and submission arsenal, as well as a solid striking attack. He fights fellow Contender Series vet Rickson Zenidim this weekend in what could elevate the winner to another Contender Series shot.
4. Maike Linhares (Lightweight, Brazil, Naiza FC): It feels like Maike Linhares has been a prospect forever and the man just doesn’t get the respect he deserves. The 32-year-old Brazilian is set to defend his Naiza FC title this weekend against Zhanserik Jaksigululy and extend his eight-fight winning streak. One of the major issues for Linhares is that he can’t seem to secure and keep opponents, which has given him some layoffs between fights. It’s a shame, as Linhares is clearly UFC level and would add great depth there.
5. Sayat Abduali (Lightweight, Kazakhstan, Octagon): Sticking in Central Asia, Kazakh fighter Saya Abduali is set to defend his Octagon Championship against Asadbek Saidov in a battle of the unbeatens. Abduali is a solid power striker, but it’s his submission wrestling that is his most dangerous weapon. He’s an avid finisher and does not often let his fights go to the judges. He’s our under-the-radar prospect of the week to watch.
6. Khetag Sabeev (Heavyweight, Russia, Peak Fighting): Though he has just two pro fights, Khetag Sabeev is a fighter to watch this weekend for the pure fact that the heavyweight division is in constant need for prospects and he could be one. Obviously he’ll need more experience, but in the small sampling we’ve had of him so far, he’s shown to be an aggressive finisher right out the gate. He moves forward, throws hammers on the feet and secures the knockout. This weekend, he has his biggest test when he takes on 12-fight vet Eric Lundsford.
7. Rasul Magomedov (Light Heavyweight, Russia, PFL): Moving over to the PFL card, we see undefeated light heavyweight Rasul Magomedov in action against Rafael Xavier. Magomedov, who was also undefeated as an amateur, is a well-rounded fighter, but his wrestling and ground-and-pound attack are his best weapons. He is probably a guy that can get into the PFL light heavyweight title picture with a couple wins and this is only his sophomore outing.
8. Sabrinna de Sousa (Women’s Flyweight, Brazil, PFL): The other prospect to watch at PFL will be Sabrinna de Sousa, who has a tough test on her hands when she fights Cheyanne Bowers. Sabrinna is an excellent jiu jitsu artist who entered her pro career after being a top amateur in the world. There is no secret she wants to get the fight to the mat and does so efficiently. Bowers is no pushover, so she is likely auditioning for a future date with PFL champ Dakota Ditcheva.
9. Shane Collins (Featherweight, United States, A1 Combat): A1 Combat Featherweight Champion Shane Collins is looking to continue grabbing cage experience when he defends his title this weekend. He’s quickly moving up the featherweight prospect rankings, possessing a strong all-around game and taking on increased competition. The undefeated American takes on Talon Hammons in a potential Contender Series audition.
10. Ezra Elliott (Featherweight, United States, RUF): Moving on to RUF, 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 Ashton Canigilia this weekend in another showcase bout for the young prospect.

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS

1. Andrey Goncharov scored another high-profile win in Russia, besting Fanil Rafikov in the main event of the BetCity Fight Nights card.
2. Jaeleen Robledo continued to show she’s a legit 135-pound female prospect, tapping out Bellator veteran Alejandra Lara at Tuff-n-Uff.
3. Jackson Stanford did not end up competing this weekend at Liberty Fight League.
4. Sean Clancy Jr had his fight cancelled the day of the Cage Warriors event, as somehow, Justin Burlinson suffered a cut that did not allow him to compete (how the fuck do you get a cut on the day of the fight?).
5. Doston Bozorov scored a triangle choke victory in the main event of Mangu PL, tapping out Darlan Ferreira to stay on his winning streak.
6. Shukurjon Abdurakhimov scored a huge knockout at Mangu PL over Dushan Burale.
7. Lucia Szabova stayed undefeated in the Oktagon main event, scoring a TKO stoppage over Leidiane Fernandes.
8. Darkhanbek Ergebov tapped out Sarek Shields with a scarfhold armlock in the main event of XFC.
9. Kyven Gadson needed just 13 seconds to knock out Michael Zahn at XFC.
10. Rainn Guerrero scored another win over WMMA trailblazer Carina Damm at AFP.