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:
- Mafalda Carmona (Women’s Bantamweight, Portugal, UAE Warriors): We start off the week with our under-the-radar prospect of the week, Mafalda Carmona. The Portuguese fighter is more of a ground fighter, though she has been outwrestled and grappled by fighters like Melissa Mullins and Kennedy Freeman. She has a chance to score a big regional scalp in the form of Kate Bacik.
- Nell Ariano (Light Heavyweight, France, DWCS): A tall, rangy light heavyweight, Nell Ariano brings a nasty striking game to the cage and looks for the knockout frequently. He also is more experienced than one would think from looking at his pro record, as he has an extensive, successful amateur career in his background. He takes on late replacement fighter Preston LaGrange in looking for a UFC contract.
- Mateus Soares (Bantamweight, Brazil, DWCS): Potentially the best prospect on the Contender Series this week, Mateus Soares will get the benefit of an advantageous matchup against Ryuho Miyaguchi. Soares is a strong striker with a solid jiu-jitsu game, and he appears to be getting better with every fight he takes. Miyaguchi offers nothing that should be remotely threatening to Soares, so I think he could be getting a UFC contract by night’s end.
- Alexander Chavez (Flyweight, Peru, DWCS): If you’re looking for an exciting striker on the Contender Series this week, look no further than Alexander Chavez. The young Peruvian fighter is not only powerful, but he’s flashy and has some outstanding techniques in his arsenal. The one knock would be that his strength of schedule hasn’t been the most strenuous, but he’s clearly talented nonetheless. He takes on Contender Series vet Roque Conceicao in hopes of scoring a UFC contract.
- Summer Onley (Women’s Bantamweight, England, DWCS): The second female bantamweight featured this week is Summer Onley, a gifted striker with excellent kicks and good hand combinations. She has solid power and lands in good volume, which is why she has five knockouts in six fights. She’s the current FCC champ and will take on fellow striker Alivia Bierley with a UFC opportunity on the line.
- Akhmad Gasanov (Light Heavyweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Nights): Over in Russia, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Akhmad Gasanov is looking to grab a huge win this weekend as he becomes a top 205er outside the UFC. He is a power striker with good wrestling, which is why so many of his fights have not even been competitive. He does get a tough one this weekend against a fellow undefeated prospect in Ubdaialla Tagirov.
- Evgeniy Ignatiev (Featherweight, Russia, BetCity Fight Nights): A longtime prospect in Russia, Evgeniy Ignatiev is a strong all-around fighter with good kickboxing and submission wrestling. He has a lot of fights for a “prospect”, but he’s certainly a guy that can compete with top-level talent. He continues to try and get to the big leagues when he takes on Bagashar Koralasov this weekend.
- Kevin Fernandez (Flyweight, United States, LFA): One of the most underrated flyweight prospects in the United States in recent years is Kevin Fernandez. He hasn’t been the most active fighter, though I think it’s because it’s been hard to get him opponents. He has a traditional striking background, but it’s his grappling game where he does more of his work. He takes on Enrique Pacheco this weekend as he looks for his tenth win.
- Karim Henniene (Bantamweight, Canada, PFL Africa): Over in PFL Africa, Karim Henniene looks to continue his successful ways in that promotion to eventually migrate over to the PFL main roster. He has shown a solid overall game with good striking fundamentals and solid submission wrestling. He’s won three straight in the PFL Africa promotion and looks to beat Contender Series vet Raphael Uchegbu in the PFL Africa tournament.
- Vitalii Yakymenko (Bantamweight, Ukraine, KSW): The final fighter of the week will headline the KSW card and that man is Vitalii Yakymenko, who will defend his title against Marcello Morelli. He has a strong kickboxing game and good submission wrestling, which is why he’s ascended up the KSW ladder so quickly. He’s not the biggest fighter in the division at 5’5″, but he’s a great athlete and always on the hunt. Another title defense would really solidify him and move him up the rankings.
LAST WEEK’S PROSPECT RESULTS
- George Staines scored a highlight reel slam knockout with some follow up punches at the Contender Series, earning a contract.
- Zaurbek Sabanov lost an ugly, sloppy heavyweight afair to Adama Diop at the Contender Series.
- Ian Escuza blistered Luca Borando quickly in the first round to a TKO at the Contender Series, earning a contract with the UFC.
- Aieza Bertolso secured an impressive D’arce choke submission victory over Camila Reynoso at the Contender Series, securing a contract in the process.
- Ilias Bulaid had his Contender Series fight vs. Erick Viscondi rescheduled to week 10.
- Antonio Cesar scored a doctor stoppage win over Joshua Perreira at ONE Championship.
- Seung Chul Lee had his fight at ONE Championship cancelled, so did not compete.
- Bibert Tumenov had his fight at ACA cancelled.
- Kurban Taygibov lost to Dzhambulat Zelimkhanov at ACA.
- Kurban Gadzhiev lost via decision at ACA, losing his top-25 position.
