After a slower weekend of prospect action, we have another somewhat down weekend in the regional MMA scene. That said, here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:
- Shamil Shikhshabekov (Welterweight, Russia, Tuff-n-Uff): We kick off the week with a mid-week Tuff-n-Uff card and American Kickboxing Academy rep Shamil Shikhshabekov. The 28-year-old Russian has been impressive since moving to the United States to further his career. He has a good wrestling base, which is what attracted him to American Kickboxing Academy to further his striking skills. He’s coming off big wins over Matt Vaile and Troy Green, which has really elevated his status at 170 pounds. He fights 29-fight vet Argemiro Delmandes this week.
- Boris Medvedev (Welterweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Nights): At 34 years old, Medvedev is basically at the end of the road of being considered a prospect. That said, he’s still a highly impressive fighter with an outstanding 20-2 record and well-rounded skill set. That said, his striking is the most impressive part of his game, as he has a very good kickboxing base. He also has an impressive resume of wins over notable fighters, including UFC veterans. He takes on another tough fighter this week in Magomedkamil Malikov.
- Babuli Tsoloev (Lightweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Nights): Also on that BetCity Fight Nights card is undefeated Babuli Tsoloev. Tsoloev has surged up the prospect ranks in recent times, as the aggressive submission wrestler has taken out some experienced and talented competition, including Maxim Butorin in his most recent fight. He looks to defend his 155-pound title this week against longtime veteran Alexander Sarnavskiy.
- Tumer Ondar (Lightweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Nights): The last BetCity fighter we will look at this week is Tumer Ondar. While he’s an undersized lightweight at just 5’5″, Ondar fights aggressively and looks to get the fight to the ground, where he mauls opponents. That ground game helps make up for his constant size and reach disadvantage. He takes on the toughest opponent to date this week when he takes on Akhmed Aliev.
- Mansur Malachiev (Flyweight, Russia, ONE Championship): Speaking of 34-year-olds who are on their way off the prospect lists due to age, Mansur Malachiev is set to make his return to the ring at ONE Championship Friday against former champ Joshua Pacio. Malachiev is riding a three-fight winning streak since losing to Pacio in 2023. He’s best known for his wrestling and submissions, which have aided him in most of his wins. He’s coming off a huge win over Jarred Brooks in his last fight, so this is a massive fight for Malachiev to erase the earlier discrepancy to Pacio.
- Victoria Anthony (Women’s Atomweight, United States, Freedom Fight Night): Our under-the-radar prospect of the week is Victoria Anthony, who is 35 years old. Normally, I would no longer consider a fighter a prospect at that age, but given this is her pro MMA debut and her massive accolades in amateur wrestling, she’s definitely a fighter to spotlight. She’s a multi-time gold medalist at the Pan-Am Games and one of the more accomplished female wrestlers in American history. She now takes that wrestling with her to the cage when she fights Elizabeth Avila this weekend in what should be a showcase for Anthony.
- Mochamed Machaev (Featherweight, Austria, Oktagon): Heading over to the Oktagon promotion, we first look at Mochamed Machaev, a guy I feel has been a prospect for a long time but is still just 26. The well-rounded Chechen-Austrian has great knockout power and a strong submission wrestling game, making him a tough out for any fighter anywhere the fight goes. He has a brutal killer instinct when he hurts an opponent, with many wins by both knockout. This weekend, he fights Gjoni Palokaj.
- Felix Klinkhammer (Welterweight, Germany, Oktagon): Next up on the Oktagon card is undefeated Felix Klinkhammer, a guy I figured would be on the UFC roster by now. Klinkhammer is an excellent ground fighter that combines solid ground-and-pound and submission skills. Eight of his eleven wins come by tapout, showing how efficient he is on the mat. This weekend he fights UFC veteran Jessin Ayari in an attempt to get his dozenth win.
- Cihad Akipa (Middleweight, Germany, Oktagon): A Kurd by ethnic background but a German by nationality, Cihad Akipa is a former Glory Kickboxer that has come over to MMA full time and showed his well-rounded abilities. In addition to being a technical kickboxer, Akipa has a decent enough ground game that is a threat when he’s on the offensive. He rides a five-fight winning streak coming into this fight with Mate Kertesz.
- Jackson Ross (Heavyweight, United States, Oktagon): The last Oktagon fighter we will feature here is Jackson Ross, a 27-year-old powerhouse who was undefeated as an amateur and is currently 3-0 as a pro. He’s a solid size at 6’2″, 250 pounds. He packs a major shot, with massive one-punch knockout ability and immense physical strength when he has to clinch/grapple. He’s a good athlete as well, which aids him in the cage. This weekend, he fights Nicolaj Wagner while looking to move up the prospect ladder.
LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS
- Gift Walker came up short in his bid for EFC gold, falling to Faeez Jacobs in the main event.
- Jordan Zebo choked out UFC vet Andre Fialho to keep his Ares FC Welterweight Championship.
- Jade Jorand had her opponent miss weight at Ares FC and did not compete.
- Mobido Diakite had his opponent miss weight at Ares FC and also did not compete.
- Yazmin Najera pulled out of her fight at Budo Sentro and did not compete.
- Vladislav Kovalev choked out Mikhail Ragozin in the main event of RCC.
- Abdulmalik Mugidinov scored a third-round knockout over Khabib Bulachov at RCC.
- George Hardwick scored a close split decision victory over late-replacement opponent Nicolas Savio at Cage Warriors.
- Nell Ariano took out fellow prospect Norbert Pietrzak via unanimous decision at Cage Warriors.
- Kazuki Aimoto knocked out Shoma Yamada in the main event of the Deep event in Japan.
MMA Intel 