Best Prospects of the Week (July 31-Aug 2):

After a strong weekend of prospect action, we have another great weekend in the regional MMA scene. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:

1. Elbek Alyshov (Featherweight, Azerbaijan, ONE Championship): We kick off the weekend in ONE Championship, where Azerbaijani judoka Elbek Alyshov is set to put his undefeated record on the line. Alyshov is obviously a fantastic grappler and it’s shown in his time in the cage. Since coming to ONE Championship, Alyshov has been dominant on the mat against solid competition, tapping out Jeremy Pacatiw and Carlos Bumina-ang. He has a major step up when he takes on Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu for the ONE title.
2. Herbeth Sousa (Bantamweight, Brazil, LFA): Moving over to the LFA, longtime top prospect Herbeth Sousa is set to compete in a fight that could catapult him to the UFC. A member of the reputed Constrictor Team, Sousa is a nasty Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner known for his submission game. Since his last loss to Muin Gafurov (now in the UFC), Sousa has rattled off four wins in a row, including three by way of submission. His resume is very strong, and a win here over Paulo Portillo in the LFA main event could guide him to the UFC.
3. Juan Pablo Vieira (Lightweight, Brazil, LFA): Speaking of Brazilians on the UFC’s doorstep, undefeated Brazilian Juan Pablo Vieira might be my favorite prospect competing this weekend. Just 22 years old, Vieira is a blue chipper that has a very bright future in the major leagues. He’s shown improved striking, which has made him even more dangerous, but it’s his Brazilian jiu-jitsu which is his crown jewel. Most of his wins have come in the first round, which shows he gets down to business quickly. This weekend he fights Eduardo Terencio in his hunt to go 10-0.
4. Mehdi Zeidvand (Lightweight, Canada, Samourai MMA): Moving up to Canada at the Samourai MMA, Mehdi Zeidvand is a prospect that many scouts are still deciding if he’s a proven commodity yet. Zeidvand has a good striking ability as well as some underrated wrestling. He has progressively taken on tougher competition in recent times and is coming off a major knockout win over Gustavo Erak. He looks for another win on his road to the UFC over Thoren Thorn in the main event of the Samourai MMA event this weekend.
5. Seyedmostafa Salehizadeh (Heavyweight, Iran/Canada, Samourai MMA): Also on that Samourai MMA card, top heavyweight prospect Seyedmostafa Salehzadeh is looking to keep his perfect record intact, as he’s likely close to a shot at the UFC. Salehizadeh is a very strong and powerful heavyweight with immense power in his strikes and a solid wrestling ability. He’s a good size heavyweight at 250 pounds as well, but he’s a solid natural athlete at that size. This weekend, he takes on his toughest opponent to date in Roggers Souza.
6. Tommy Morrisson (Flyweight, Canada, Samourai MMA): The last Samourai MMA fighter we will look at is undefeated Tommy Morrisson, a guy who has been on the UFC’s doorstep for a couple years but just has not gotten the call. The Tristar rep is a well-rounded fighter that really has no glaring holes. The big knock on him has been his finish rate being low, which is probably why the UFC hasn’t come calling yet. He’s clearly a solid flyweight contender, but he just doesn’t have a style that has attracted the UFC matchmakers…yet. This weekend, he takes on Jesus Gutierrez in an attempt to keep his perfect record intact.
7. Lucia Szabova (Women’s Bantamweight, Slovakia, Oktagon): Possibly the best female 135er outside the UFC, Slovakian banger Lucia Szabova has been nothing short of impressive in her MMA career. Szabova is a highly entertaining fighter with a high-level Muay Thai background, which translates to her style in the cage. She has a solid submission game as well, but it’s her striking that is her main weapon and it is deadly. The fact he has more ground stoppages than on-the-feet stoppages is even more impressive given that her striking is her best attribute and she’s still finishing on the mat. She fights UFC veteran Lucie Pudilova this weekend in the main event of the Oktagon promotion.
8. Lazaro Dayron (Bantamweight, Cuba/United States, PFL): Moving over to the PFL, Cuban-American Lazaro Dayron is on a heater right now and a guy that could be on the short list for a PFL title shot soon. Dayron is 33 years old, so he’s getting older for a prospect, but he’s coming on strong in his career. He’s well-rounded, possessing solid striking and good wrestling, making him an all-around threat. He has the biggest fight of his career here against Raufeon Stots.
9. Khabib Nabiev (Light Heavyweight, Russia, PFL): Also on the PFL card is undefeated Russian Khabib Nabiev, a guy who also could be on the doorstep of a PFL title shot in the 205-pound division. Nabiev is more of a 195-pound cruiserweight and a guy that’s a tad undersized for 205 and has a hard time getting to 185. He’s a tremendous wrestler with an aggressive striking style on the feet. He hasn’t had a major threat in his PFL career thus far and that will continue here when he takes on Contender Series/TUF vet Jamelle Jones.
10. Lucas Armand (Heavyweight, United States, WXC): We end the weekend in the American regionals at WXC with undefeated heavyweight Lucas Armand. Armand is 6’4″ and about at the heavyweight limit, so he’s a pretty big heavyweight. He’s heavy handed and looks for the knockout early and often, which he achieves at a high rate. His biggest win comes over UFC vet Braxton Smith and he’s looking to score more big wins en route to the UFC. This weekend, he takes on UFC vet Rashad Coulter in an attempt to get signed straight to the UFC.

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS

1. Asaf Chopurov scored a highlight-reel, one-punch knockout win over Reece McLaren in the main event at UAE Warriors.
2. Shamidkhan Magomedov fell via unanimous decision to Sergey Morozov at the UAE Warriors event.
3. Pavel Andrusca scored a nasty one-punch knockout over Ge Xipengchu at the UAE Warriors event.
4. Oceane Samson took a submission loss to fellow prospect Elene Loladze at the UAE Warriors event.
5. Macksom Lee scored a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Tardio in the LFA main event.
6. James Martin took his first career loss, falling via unanimous decision to Joey Hart at the LFA event.
7. Ezayah Gomez suffered a doctor stoppage loss to Luther Egerson at the LFA event.
8. Ernesto Rodriguez moved up to the PFL main event on late notice to fight for the welterweight championship, but was TKO’d by Thad Jean in a spirited effort.
9. Rasul Magomedov stayed undefeated with a unanimous decision victory over Sullivan Cauley at the PFL event.
10. Tiago Pereira also stayed undefeated in scoring a unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Frazao at Jungle Fight.