After a strong weekend of prospect action, we have another exciting weekend in the regional MMA scene with many of it falling under subsidiaries run by the UFC. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:
- Bella Mir (Women’s Bantamweight, United States, DWCS): We kick the week off on the Contender Series and daughter of UFC legend Frank Mir in Bella Mir. The high-level combat artist is a collegiate wrestler with legit jiu-jitsu credentials on top of that. She’s also been training since she was a child, which one would except from Frank Mir’s daughter. At 23 years old, she’s been a blue-chip prospect for ever and now it seems she’s ready to focus on MMA and not divert her attention to her amateur grappling affairs. She fights Alex Apodaca with a UFC contract on the line.
- Nick Galanti (Middleweight, United States, DWCS): Stay in the Contender Series, Nick Galanti is a wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist in his own right, especially seeing as he runs with veteran fighter and coach Dante Rivera. Galanti is a physical brute whose style may not be the flashiest, but he’s certainly effective. The CFFC Middleweight Champion has posted some solid wins in recent outings, including the fight that won him the belt over fellow prospect Austin Clayton. He will be tasked with taking on his most experienced opponent to date on the Contender Series when he takes on Carlos Petruzella.
- Sean Clancy Jr (Welterweight, Scotland, DWCS): One of the better prospects on the Contender Series this season, Sean Clancy Jr has quickly moved up the pro ladder overseas and established himself as a welterweight to watch. Clancy is the Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion, which is a high achievement at just 23 years old. He’s a finishing machine, using a combination of solid boxing and knockout power with slick submission grappling. He takes on Gary Balletto Jr on the Contender Series.
- Ronald Humphrey (Welterweight, United States, DWCS): The dark horse this week on the Contender Series is 4-0 Ronald Humphrey, who may be lesser known but could be one to watch. He’s a physical specimen who gets to work quickly, using his insane power and athleticism to drive opponents to the mat and then beat them up quickly. All four of his wins come by way of striking stoppage, with ground-and-pound being the feature. He takes on Alexis Miranda on the Contender Series this time out.
- George Mangos (Featherweight, Australia, Road to UFC): Probably the best fighter in the Road to UFC set of tournaments, George Mangos is a guy with the featherweight tournament in his hands. The well-rounded Aussie destroyed Yuito Yanagawa in the opening round to announce that he was the man to beat. He now has an experienced Chinese fighter in Ailinuer Ahejiang in his next fight, which should be an interesting matchup. If Mangos gets by in impressive fashion, I think it would be hard to deny that he will win it all.
- Joseph Larcinese (Flyweight, Australia, Road to UFC): Joseph Larcinese appeared to be a guy poised to run through the flyweight bracket of the Road to UFC, but his showing in the first round left a bit to be desired. Larcinese won a close split decision over Ryoga Arimoto in a fight that Larcinese showed some weaknesses. However, he still remains a favorite, but he will have to get by the tough Takaya Suzuki. We’ll see if he can have a bounce back performance.
- Farida Abdueva (Women’s Strawweight, Kyrgyzstan, Road to UFC): Farida Abdueva has had an interesting Road to UFC journey so far. The 22-year-old fighter fought Xiaocan Feng, but initially lost. However, that result was overturned to a win, so she makes it to the semifinals now against Bo Hyun Park. Abdueva will have to use her striking and size advantage to be successful here, as that’s where her advantages lie.
- Bo Meng (Women’s Strawweight, China, Road to UFC): On the other end of the bracket from Abdueva is Bo Meng, who is a former ONE Championship challenger, so it’s almost hard to call her a prospect. The experienced fighter from China does not have an easy road to the championship, though. She fights Machi Fukuda, who is similarly an experienced fighter and skilled. I wouldn’t be shocked, though, to see Meng meet Abdueva in the finals, as I think both should win.
- Radley da Silva (Featherweight, Canada, BFL): The first of two non-Zuffa event related prospects, Contender Series vet Radley da Silva returns this weekend to continue his quest to make the organization by defending his Battlefield Fight League belt. Radley has a capoeira background, which lends him to some flashy striking, but it’s his less flashy ground game that is actually his better go-to, in my opinion. He fights Lucas Corbage for the BFL title.
- Anvarbek Daniyalbekov (Middleweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Night): We end with Anvarbek Daniyalbekov, an impressive striker out of Russia who can also submission grapple. He’s one of the better middleweight prospects that should be on the UFC’s radar given his skills and excitement. He has another big challenge this weekend when he takes on Sergei Martynov.
LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS
- Namo Fazil got his clock cleaned with a massive overhand right by Kaik Brito at the Contender Series.
- Douglas Rodrigues was choked out by Trent Miller at the Contender Series.
- Cristian Perez scored a big knockout win over Logan Paxton at the Contender Series, earning a UFC contract in the process.
- Mahamed Aly was knocked out by Alik Lorenz at the Contender Series.
- Taner Trembley had an absolute barnburner on the Contender Series but fell via unanimous decision to Roman Puga…he was still awarded a contract for how amazing the fight was.
- Marcos Breno had both of his opponents drop out of a fight with him, so did not compete at LFA.
- Khotam Boynazarov scored a TKO win over Rangel da Sa in the main event of Mangu PL.
- Luke Trainer blasted Roland Dunlap via TKO at the PFL event.
- Makkasharip Zaynukov lost via decision to Natan Schulte at PFL.
- Muhidin Abubaker scored a TKO win over Ronaldo Oliveira at Fightstar Championship.
MMA Intel 