Prospect In-depth: Ray Waters (Patreon)

Welterweight
30-years-old
Five-foot-eleven
Scottsdale, Arizona, US
4-0
1 KO/TKO, 1 Submission
Combined opponent's record: 36-13-1

Boxing: C
Kickboxing: C
Knockout power: C
Explosiveness: B
Footwork: C
Clinch: B+
Wrestling: A
Grappling: C+
Ground and Pound: A-
Submission threat: C-
Striking defense: C+
Takedown defense: A
Grappling defense: B
Cardio: B-
Fight IQ: A

Waters unbeaten in MMA comes from a background in wrestling. He was a Nevada state high school wrestling champ. In college, he went on to wrestle for Arizona State University as a Sun Devil which is a highly respected school.

Waters has leaned heavily on his wrestling background in his MMA career. Although he does show some upside on the feet he is uncomfortable there. He throws a good cross, a head kick, but is mostly throwing to close the distance. His striking is at its best inside the clich where he can work knees, elbows, and short punches.

Waters is gonna find problems if he isn't able to get the takedowns. That's gonna be hard to find as the wrestling is top-notch. At times Waters can shoot from too far out but never does it back to back. Waters can blast a double leg, use a bodylock takedown, trip takedowns, single legs, and any other wrestling technique to get the fight down. Being a tank of a human doesn't hurt either as he's a physical dude. All he needs to do is get his hands together and he's gonna get the takedown.

If Waters can develop more of a ground game he'd be a serious threat. He depends on his strength and ground and pound to win moments on top. You'll never see him transition into a dominant position because the technique isn't there. Wrestling is the best base to have in MMA and it's gonna lead to a lot of success for Waters. Even in round three when he's visibly tired his wrestling still works to a high degree.

I don't rate Waters too highly because being good in one area just isn't enough. I will say he can continue to get better and if so I can see him at the very least a UFC gatekeeper. Waters is only gonna lose to top guys I'd imagine. Someone with solid takedown defense and a good striker. Waters already has good names on his record so watch for him to get a contender series fight this season or next.