Best Prospects of the Week (Aug 14-16)

After a so-so weekend of prospect action, we have a strong weekend in the regional MMA scene, especially with the Contender Series starting up. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:

1. Kyoma Akimoto (Featherweight, Japan, Rizin): We kick off the week with one of the most exciting prospects in the sport in Kyoma Akimoto. Akimoto is a highly entertaining striker with big-time power and a highlight reel of knockouts through his pro career. He is insanely violent and aggressive, which includes recent finishes utilizing soccer kicks (illegal in the UFC). He has a high-stakes bout this weekend against former title challenger Kleber Koike Erbst.
2. Anthony Wint (Heavyweight, United States, DWCS): The first main event of the Dana White’s Contender Series this year will feature NFL veteran Anthony Wint. Wint is obviously an outstanding athlete given that NFL background, which automatically gives him an advantage in the cage. Outside of one decision in his pro career, Wint has been destroying the competition with nasty finishes, most of which he does with his hands.
3. Abe Alsaghir (Lightweight, United States, DWCS): Also on the Contender Series will be Abe Alsaghir, an undefeated lightweight who is looking to make a name for himself. Alsaghir is just 25 years old, so he’s still a young gun in development. His resume tends to show him fighting cans and over-the-road fighters, so he’s still a bit of a question mark in terms of if he’s ready for the next level. He does appear to have a really good boxing set, so that could be his key to victory. He competes for the UFC contract against Fabrizio Escarrega this week.
4. Bilal Hasan (Flyweight, United States, DWCS): Likely the best prospect competing on the Contender Series this week, Bilal Hasan is a favorite amongst MMA scouts. Hasan is an insanely gifted overall fighter, but it’s his striking which is the most awe-inspiring. He has excellent boxing and Thai skills, mixing them into a perfect blend on the feet. He has body shot finishes, a spinning wheel kick and other impressive knockouts, which make him a test when engaging. He has underrated grappling as well, which is why he’s so highly touted. He fights Mridul Saikia in what should be a showcase fight (aka a gimme fight).
5. Jon Kunneman (Middleweight, United States, DWCS): A regional champion and a fighter who was set to fight on the Contender Series last year before injury, Jon Kunneman is a middleweight who appears ready to take to the UFC roster. Kunneman is an outstanding wrestler who is a vet of the University of Nebraska. He transitioned well to MMA in working with Greg Jackson in New Mexico, running a 10-0 record in the process. He fights fellow grappler Joseph Kropschot in the first fight of the season.
6. Magdalena Czaban (Women’s Strawweight, Poland, ONE Championship): Moving over to ONE Championship, undefeated Polish prospect Magdalena Czaban is ready to take the biggest fight of her life against fellow prospect Natalie Salcedo. Czaban is strong on the takedown and incredibly effective on the mat. Though she’s just 4-0, she had a very busy amateur career where she went 21-2. All four of her pro wins came by finish, with a mix of ground-and-pound and tapouts.
7. Jarret Betancourt (Flyweight, United States, CFFC): A major regional show veteran with an undefeated record, Jarret Betancourt is primed to position himself for a UFC spot in a weight class that is exciting and always looking for new blood. A member of the wildly underrated GOAT Shed in Miami, Betancourt has a solid submission grappling game that he pairs with an exciting striking style. He has not taken on the toughest of opposition, but he has looked very good regardless. He has the toughest fight of his career this weekend when he takes on Jake Scott.
8. Ricky Rojas (Flyweight, United States, Fury FC): Our under-the-radar prospect of the week is 23-year-old Fury FC standout Ricky Rojas. Rojas is coming off the biggest win of his career over Contender Series vet Nick Piccininni. There, he showed good counter-wrestling and excellent boxing en route to that win. He has a solid submission arsenal as well, showing he is rounded. This weekend, he has a gimme fight against German Orpineda Ponce.
9. Julieta Martinez (Women’s Strawweight, Argentina, Lux Fight League): Just 21 years old and a Contender Series veteran, Julieta Martinez continues to look to build up her experience more in an attempt to get into the UFC finally. Martinez is an excellent grappler that has a traditional martial arts striking background, so she’s already very well-rounded. She wasn’t signed after her 2024 Contender Series win because she was “too young” at the time, but she has more than proven before, then and since then that she is ready to step up to the UFC. She gets another chance to prove that this weekend against Daniela Hernandez.
10. Alikhan Vakhaev (Heavyweight, Russia, ACA): We end the week in ACA that has a number of strong prospects, the best likely being Alikhan Vakhaev. Vakhaev towers at 6’6″ and uses his length extremely well on the feet when it comes to striking and gauging the distance on takedowns. Though he’s on a bit of a decision streak, previous to that he had been knocking out opponents left and right. He’s had a very tough strength of schedule, which really establishes him as one of the best heavyweights outside the UFC. This weekend, he fights the tough Amir Aliakbari.

LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS

1. Lewis McGrillen quickly rebounded from a loss last month, scoring a decision win over Brandon Lewis at the PFL event.
2. Hasan Mezhiev was blasted by Denis Goltsov, taking his first loss in his PFL debut.
3. Cheyanne Bowers won in impressive fashion, scoring a come-from-behind submission over Elora Dana at PFL.
4. Michael Boylan lost his undefeated record at the PFL event, falling via split decision to Landry Ward.
5. Eduardo Neves has completely left the “prospect radar” at the PFL event, as he was knocked out with a punch to the body against Maxwell Djantou Nana and has lost three of his last five fights.
6. Livio Ribeiro had his fight cancelled at CFFC and did not compete this weekend.
7. Keito Yamakita scored a submission win over Koyuru Tanoue at the ONE Samurai event in Japan.
8. Tuul Namnanbayar fell via unanimous decision in the main event of JCK Kings.
9. Baktygul Kurmanbekova fell via armbar submission to Chiara Penco at JCK Kings.
10. Brant Moore took a loss in his at his Synergy FC fight against a late replacement opponent.