10 Regional MMA Prospects You Might Not Know About
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There is a huge portfolio of prospects around the world. Some of the top prospects most see fighting are in LFA, Cage Warriors, Titan FC, UAE Warriors, CFFC, and other various promotions. Some are well-know like Anton Turkalj, Josh Silveira, Mo Miller, and Muhammad Mokaev. Others are prospects only the hardcore fans know such as Mateusz Rebecki, Achilles Estremadura, Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels, and Andrey Goncharov.
In this feature I will list 10 unknown prospects that even most of the hardcore fans might not recognize.
Cameron Saaiman
Fighting at 135 lbs (Bantamweight)
Fighting out of Pretoria, South Africa
20-years-old
Standing at 5’9″
Training out of Tema CIT
A pro record of 3-0 (5-0 amateur record)
2 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Saaiman is a young bright prospect who is a protege of UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis. Since his debut, he’s been fighting for EFC; the top promotion out of South Africa. The same promotion Du Plessis fought for and became a champion. Saaiman started kickboxing at the age of 12 and even competed for K1 before switching over to MMA. Saaiman is so comfortable on the feet with his creative striking and diverse kickboxing, while having really light movement.
He will make it seem like he’s only a kickboxer before changing levels for a takedown. Saaiman is a really talented grappler who constantly hunts to end the fight. His ground and pound and RNC is his best weapon on the mat. Watch The Protege – The story of Dricus Du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 to know more about the young bantamweight standout.
Paula “Bittencourt” Cristina
Fighting at 135 lbs (Bantamweight)
Fighting out of Belem, Para, Brazil
26-years-old
Standing at 5’4″
Training out of Frankiko Team
A pro record of 5-0
4 KO/TKOs
Like a lot of Brazilians, Cristina comes to MMA with a muay thai background. She was a Muay Thai Brazilian champion and a South American champion. Cristina started fighting MMA in 2018 and her latest fight was last July where she won the Iron Man CF title.
Cristina is a gun-slinger with a lot of power in her hands and of course is good on the inside with her muay thai. Even with the credentials on the feet, she does go after takedowns and is very comfortable grappling. Follow Paula Cristina on Instagram where she posts a lot of training and fight clips.
Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie
Fighting at 170 lbs (Welterweight)
Fighting out of Miami, Florida, US – But born in Egypt
29-years-old
Standing at 5’11”
Training out of American Top Team
A pro record of 2-0
2 KO/TKOs
Sebie came over from wrestling where he had an excellent career. He was a two-time Olympian, a four-time Arab wrestling champion, a five-time Africa wrestling champion, and a former Egyptian National Team member. Sebie started MMA late at the age of 28 as he’s only been fighting since January. Although he’s only had two MMA fights he did last compete on Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebrad Fighting Championship. It’s basically MMA, but bare-knuckle.
In all three of his fights including that custom bout, Sebie has looked unstoppable. The longest fight he’s had is 1:52. Sebie waste no time rushing his opponents, getting the easy takedown, and smashing with ground and pound until the ref steps in. Nothing short of dominant he’s been since retiring from wrestling and entering MMA. Learn more about the story of Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie here.
Montel “Man Child” Williams
Fighting at 185 lbs (Middleweight)
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, US
28-years-old
Standing at 5’10”
Training out of Xtreme Couture
A pro record of 5-0
1 KO/TKO
Not Montel Williams the Emmy-winning talk show host, but Montel Willams the undefeated MMA fighter. With that said, that talk show host Montel Williams is the father of this MMA fighter. Williams has been interested in MMA and being 28 now, he’s been around the sport for a long time. He is a smart articulate fighter. He’s gone the distance more times than he’s finished the fight and that attests to a well-conditioned fighter.
Montel is a jiu-jitsu guy that has good wrestling. He has technical grappling and more than anything, he’s a grinder. Someone that will frustrate a lot of guys. Watch this interview with Montel Williams know him a lot better.
Abdullo Khodzhaev
Fighting at 155 lbs (Lightweight)
Fighting out of Odessa, Ukraine but born in Tajikistan
A pro record of 2-0 (32-0 amateur record)
2 KO/TKOs
Only 2-0 as a pro, Khodzhaev has tons of combat experience. He has a crazy amateur record of 32-0 and was a six-time champion (Iran and the world). Also, he’s a taekwondo black belt, so he has an abundance of experience. Khodzhaev is a dynamic and super athletic fighter. It’s super evident to see that Khodzhaev has a taekwondo background. Not only someone that likes to let it go on the feet, he does have the ability to wrestle and grapple in his back pocket.
With Khodzhaev, you will see a lot of dynamic attacks. He will throw wheel kicks, spinning kicks to the body, flying knees, 360 kicks, and other flashy attacks. All his high-velocity shots are well set up and does it tightly instead of leaving himself out there to be concerned. Follow Abdullo Khodzhaev on Instagram which is the best place to follow his career.
Caolan “The Don” Loughran
Fighting at 135 lbs (Bantamweight)
Fighting out of Tyrone, Ireland
25-years-old
Standing at 5’5″
Training out of Team Kaobon Liverpool
A pro record of 4-0 (8-2 amateur record)
2 KO/TKOs
Loughran is an undefeated bantamweight prospect with a flawless 100% finishing rate. A product out of Team Kaobon Liverpool, Loughran trains with the likes of the UFC’s Tom Aspinall, Mike Grundy, and Darren Till. He trained in boxing in the winter between football (soccer) seasons when he was around 10 or 11-years-old. Loughran also dabbled in some Gaelic Football before he went to MMA.
Wrestling is where Loughran transcends. He’s at his best when he’s mixing in his wrestling and striking. His timing on his level changes is usually spot on. If he can’t get the takedown right away, he does a good job driving in on the legs and hips to work guys to the mat. Credit his vision, size, and speed for the reason his wrestling is so valuable. Watch his latest fight here to get familiar with what Caolan Loughran brings to the table.
Magomedkhan Yarogiev
Fighting at 205 lbs (Light Heavyweight)
Fighting out of Krasnodar, Russia
26-years-old
Standing at 6’1″
Training out of Nart
A pro record of 4-0 (4-2 amateur record)
3 Submissions
Yarogiev fights out of ACA’s builder league, Berkut Younf Eagles. He had a good amateur career closing out as the 2018 Russian Cup tournament winner. Outside of MMA not knowing the bigger details, Yarogiev did compete in various jiu-jitsu competitions. So far as a pro, his dynamic submission attack has proven to be a threat. He has a win from an Anaconda Choke, a RNC, and an Ezekiel Choke.
He hasn’t shown it yet but on the feet, but he has smooth footwork and good kickboxing. He just excels more on the feet and at times it takes him getting taken down to find the opportunity to capture a winning or dominant position. Wath the fight where Magomedkhan Yarogiev won with a rare ezekiel choke here.
Dan “White Chocolate” Jones
Fighting at 145 lbs (Featherweight)
Fighting out of Perth, Western Australia
31-years-old
Standing at 5’7″
Training out of Luistro Combat Academy
A pro record of 8-0 (7-1 amateur record)
2 KO/TKOs
Australia’s Jones hasn’t fought since September of 2019, but has stayed busy. He’s still constantly in camp and has kept busy competing in boxing going 3-1-2. He even has a sick one-punch knockout in his boxing career. He has yet to get a highlight-reel finish in his MMA career. Instead, he’s been able to show a full skillset.
Jones is a good boxer with educated hands, a good counter striker, a textbook jab, and is very patient. When pressured Jones can change it up and wrestle for three straight rounds non-stop. He’s got the endurance and being so well-rounded, he’s able to just let loose and really blend everything together. Watch this fight from Dan Jones to get a glimpse of what he’s about.
Dakota Ditcheva
Fighting at 135 lbs (Bantamweight)
Fighting out of Stockport, England
23-years-old
Standing at 5’8″
Training out of Manchester Top Team
A pro record of 2-0 (4-0 amateur record)
2 KO/TKOs
Some aren’t familiar with Ditcheva, but soon they will as she very well might be the next big thing. Ditcheva has an extensive Muay Thai background and a very successful one at that. She is a British Muay Thai champion and a member of the British team that won the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur World Championships in Jönköping, Sweden. She’s also a three-time world champion. So far her takedown defense has held up very well. You have to close the distance to try and take Ditcheva down, but she will make life very miserable in the clinch.
Ditcheva does excellent work staying busy with knees while defending wrists and landing while she’s framing off. At distance, she will chip away with leg kicks, kicks to the midsection, and long strikes. Ditcbeva reminds me of UFC fighter Manon Fiorot comparing the fluidity and constant attack from all angles. This young woman is the future. Wath the Muay Thai/MMA highlight video of Dakota Ditcheve to get recognized with a great talent.
Kevin Jousset
Fighting at 170 lbs (Welterweight)
Fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand but born in France
28-years-old
Standing at 6’1″
Training out of City Kickboxing
A pro record of 5-1 (2-0 amateur record)
3 KO/TKOs
Jousset is a legit MMA prospect and an elite judoka athlete. At 14-years-old, he earned his judo black belt. Jousset is a multiple-time French National Championship medalist. He was also a member of the French National team. He’s only lost one fight in MMA and that was to UFC fighter Jack Della Maddalena. Jousset is a legit judo fighter in MMA and has really adapted so well as he stand-up in really good. He has good kicks, straight punches, and with the takedowns, he has solid grappling.
Training at City Kickboxing with some great fighters Jousset is the real deal. Watch this interview with Kevin Jousset here to get to know him better.
What do you think of the 10 prospects named? Let us know below.
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