After a busy weekend of prospect action, we have another strong weekend in the regional MMA scene. Here are quick notes on ten prospects to look out for this weekend:
- Aieza Bertolso (Women’s Strawweight, Brazil, DWCS): The main event of this week’s Contender Series will feature Aieza Bertolso, potentially the top female prospect coming out of Brazil. The LFA Champion had a storied amateur career, where she ran a 16-1 record. She’s been undefeated since entering the pro ranks, including wins over Lany Silva and Janaina Silva. She is an outstanding grappler who has added some really good ground striking to her game. The 25-year-old has been very impressive and looks to continue her winning ways against Camila Reynoso this weekend.
- George Staines (Lightweight, England, DWCS): One of the top prospects coming out of England is George Staines, an impressive kickboxer who has looked damn-near untouchable in the cage thus far. A 6’1″ lightweight, he is tall and long for the weight class. He can establish his distance well and strike accordingly, which is why he’s so effective. He also has some underrated submission skills as well, making him a rounded threat. This weekend he fights Loai Abushaar with a UFC contract on the line.
- Ian Escuza (Bantamweight, Peru, DWCS): Inka Bantamweight Champion Ian Escuza is our under-the-radar prospect on the Contender Series this week, as he’s a flashy, impressive striker who has a knack for the knockout. He has a highlight reel of finishes, including a front kick KO, spinning back elbow and head kick. His diversity of striking makes him hard to get in on, as he uses his weapons effectively to control the fight on the feet. He takes on Luca Borando this weekend.
- Ilias Bulaid (Featherweight, Netherlands, DWCS): A longtime top prospect in this sport, star kickboxer and Bellator veteran Ilias Bulaid seemed to be UFC bound for a while. He has his chance here now on the Contender Series when he takes on fellow top prospect Erick Viscondi. He has nasty striking, including brutal kicks and some solid clinch knees. Viscondi should meet him in the middle for this battle. Bulaid is easily UFC-level talent and makes it there with a win here.
- Zaurbek Sabanov (Heavyweight, Russia, DWCS): The final Contender Series fighter we will look at is Zaurbek Sabanov, a big heavyweight with an impressive striking background. He’s not the most experienced fighter at 4-0, but he has scored knockouts in three of those wins, including over 13-fight vet Ivan Romanov in his last fight. He takes on Adama Diop here in what likely should be on that does not go to the judges.
- Seung Chul Lee (Flyweight, South Korea, ONE Championship): In what looks to be like a top South Korean prospect, Seung Chul Lee has been very good since coming to ONE Championship. He is 6-0 with the promotion in beating some respectable competition, including Fabio Henrique and Bokang Masunyane. He has good power in his hands, as well as solid submission grappling on the mat. He has a tough matchup against Karen Ghahzaryan this weekend in what could be the fight that breaks him out further.
- Antonio Cesar (Bantamweight, Brazil, ONE Championship): A 22-year-old from Brazil takes to the ONE ring this weekend in Antonio Cesar looking to follow up his big debut win over Lito Adiwang. Cesar has a strong ground game where he likes to use his jiu-jitsu, though he does have some serviceable striking as well. He’s yet to hit his prime, which is encouraging, as he’s already experienced for a young guy. He takes to the ONE ring in his sophomore effort when he takes on undefeated American Joshua Perreira this weekend.
- Bibert Tumenov (Lightweight, Russia, ACA): A longtime veteran that many have wanted to see in the UFC, Bibert Tumenov continues to be a top prospect in Russia. Tumenov is a devastating kickboxer known to have a similar style to his UFC vet brother Albert. Twelve of his sixteen wins come by way of knockout, as he has big-time power in his hands and kicks like a mule. He fights another Russian veteran in Daud Shaikhaev this weekend.
- Kurban Taygibov (Featherweight, Russia, ACA): A talented wrestler and powerful striker, Kurban Taygibov is a top featherweight prospect in Russia who has collected a lot of impressive scalps. He’s shown holes in his submission defense, so he’ll need to use his counter-wrestling to keep things either standing or score his own takedowns. He takes on a tough test in Dzhambulat Zelimkhanov this weekend.
- Kurban Gadzhiev (Flyweight, Russia, ACA): A physical specimen with a pankration background, which is basically no-holds barred wrestling, Kurban Gadzhiev is looking to get back into the win column this weekend after falling in his last two fights. He was bested by Renat Ondar and Azamat Pshukov, two good fighters in their own right, but fights Gadzhiev was supposed to win. He gets a chance to get back to his winning ways when he takes on Umalat Israpilov.
LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS
- Norbert Novenyi Jr. won a unanimous decision win over Theo Haig, but failed to secure a UFC contract on the Contender Series.
- Alvi Dasuyev took a unanimous decision win over Jaden Ortega, earning a UFC contract on the Contender Series.
- Marcos Degli went the route of submitting Paris Moran, scoring a UFC contract at the Contender Series.
- Emilio Quissua was downed via TKO against Damian Piwowarczyk at the Contender Series.
- Josh O’Connor fought to a draw against Fabacary Diatta at Ares FC.
- Alexis Nicolas scored a knockout over Ilyasse Drabo at Ares FC.
- Tyjani Beztati scored a vicious knee knockout over Daniel Kolosinski at Levels Fight League.
- Freddie Vosgrone took his first career loss to Karlos Vemola at Oktagon.
- Paddy McCorry was choked out in the main event of Cage Warriors by Gustavo Sousa.
- Artem Belakh was knocked out by Tony Cortez at 559 Fights.
