Best Prospects of the Week (July 17-19)

After a solid weekend of prospect action, we have another good weekend in the regional MMA scene. That said, here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:

1. Muslim Magomedov (Light Heavyweight, Russia, ACA): Probably the best light heavyweight outside the UFC, Muslim Magomedov is a guy that could easily make the UFC or PFL and be fairly dominant. The 16-0 ACA Champion has a legit combat sambo background, which has translated nicely to MMA. Nine of his sixteen wins are finishes, with most of those by knockout. He takes on top contender and fellow top prospect Elmar Gasanov in the ACA main event.
2. Salamu Abdurakhimov (Middleweight, Russia, ACA): 33-year-old Russian Salamu Abdurakhimov has been a top middleweight prospect for a while, yet remains with the ACA over the UFC and PFL. He is a talented submission grappler that struggles most when going against strikers who can defend the takedown. He should have an advantageous matchup when he takes on Caio Bittencourt on the ACA card this weekend.
3. Mehdi Baidulaev (Featherweight, Russia, ACA): The last ACA prospect we will focus on is Mehdi Baidulaev, a guy who has run through a gauntlet of top fighters while competing for ACA such as UFC vet Magomed Bibulatov and Makharbek Kariginov, as well as many experienced fighters with well over 20 fights. He is a dominant submission wrestler that has rarely looked in trouble, including most recent times. He takes on Gadzhimurad Aliev this weekend.
4. Sanzhar Zakirov (Bantamweight, Uzbekistan, ONE Championship): We next head to ONE Championship, who has mostly moved away from MMA in favor of Muay Thai, but is still featuring some solid talent. One of them is 14-0 Uzbek Sanzhar Zakirov. The immensely talented 23-year-old has a very well-rounded game, showing off good kickboxing skills in unison with his submission wrestling. He’s 5-0 thus far under the ONE banner, including his biggest win over Bokang Masunyane. He looks to continue his undefeated streak at ONE when he takes on fellow undefeated Ruslan Satiev.
5. Karshyga Dautbek (Featherweight, Kazakhstan, Rizin): One of Rizin’s best fighters will be in action this weekend in Karshyga Dautbek. The Kazakh fighter is a nasty striker who looks for the knockout early and often, and does so at a high percentage. Fourteen of his eighteen wins are by knockout, including many of his Rizin fights, where he has produced his own highlight reel singlehandedly. This weekend he takes on Kyohei Hagiwara, where Dautbek looks to continue his reign of terror in Japan.
6. Lewis McGrillen (Bantamweight, England, PFL): In the biggest fight of his career, Lewis McGrillen get a major test in Serio Pettis to build himself up further as a prospect. He arrived on the scene in PFL Europe, where he really established himself as one of the most legit European prospects the company inked. The 25-year-old has very good striking and legit one-punch knockout power. His left hand is especially lethal, which has led to most of his knockouts on the feet. Ten of his twelve wins are by knockout and will have no problem meeting Pettis in the middle of the cage.
7. Aleksandra Savicheva (Women’s Flyweight, Russia, PFL): Top Russian women’s prospect Aleksandra Savicheva is set to make her PFL debut this weekend and show off her well-polished submission wrestling skills. Her goal is to get the fight down when she can and use her heavy ground strikes in unison with her submission prowess. She takes on experienced vet Andrea Vazquez in said PFL debut.
8. Luciano Pereira (Bantamweight, Uruguay, PFL): The last PFL prospect we will look at is 16-1 Luciano Pereira, a guy whose only blemish comes by way of DQ. Pereira is as nasty a power striker you can find at the lower weight levels. In fact, he reminds me of a young John Lineker in the way he fights, walking down his opponent and throwing massive hooks. He has a nasty mean streak, which is why he is able to hunt down his opponent and put them away when they are hurt. He will get a brawler of an opponent in UFC vet Brandon Davis for this PFL bout.
9. Andrew Valdina (Flyweight, United States, Cage Titans): Out under-the-radar prospect this week will be undefeated east coast fighter Andrew Valdina. Valdina is a submission grappler who is tough as nails and has continually stepped up his competition level in his most recent outings. He’s a guy likely vying for a late-season Contender Series spot, so staying undefeated here against Jordi Maya could get him that call.
10. Alivia Bierley (Women’s Bantamweight, United States, Fury FC): We end the weekend with Fury FC, who is hosting a few solid prospects. The one I think who has the best chance at the UFC is bantamweight Alivia Bierley, who is a talented fighter in a division that does not have a plethora of talent. She’s a student of UFC vet Pete Spratt and has a good skill set, rounded with solid grappling and good on-the-feet prowess. She takes on the tough Nikola Kacperska this weekend.

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS

1. Tumer Ondar was finished with low kicks in under a minute in the BetCity Fight Nights main event against Akhmed Aliev.
2. Boris Medvedev took a rare loss in the BetCity Fight Nights co-main event, falling via submission to Magomedkamil Malikov.
3. Babuli Tsoloev had his fight against Alexander Sarnavskiy cancelled at BetCity Fight Nights.
4. Shamil Shikhshabekov scored a knockout win over Algemiro Delmandes at the Tuff-n-Uff card.
5. Victoria Anthony did not fight this weekend, as the UFL event she was booked for never materialized.
6. Mansur Malachiev was choked out in his bid for the ONE 125-pound title by Joshua Pacio.
7. Mochamed Machaev scored a big knockout win in the co-main event of Oktagon against Gjoni Palokaj.
8. Cihad Akipa dropped to welterweight this weekend and won via knockout over Mate Kertesz at Oktagon.
9. Jackson Ross took his first pro loss, falling by knockout to Nicolaj Wagner at Oktagon.
10. Felix Klinkhammer had his bout at Oktagon cancelled and did not compete.