Best in the World: Marcos Degli (Patreon)

Marcos Degli
Weightclass: Flyweight
Record: 10-3
Age: 24
Height: 5'6"
Born in: Campos do Jordão, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Training out of: Vale Top Team
Combined opponents' record (at the time they fought): 42-18
Key wins: Hugo Paiva and Alisson Murilo

Pros

• Good wrestling

• Good timing on his level changes

• Solid jiu-jitsu

• Good distance control

• Throws in volume

• Good jab

• Athletic

• Covers distance really well

• Fights off his back foot well

• Submission threat

• Good footwork

• Uses feints well

• Good ground and pound

Cons

• TDD needs some work

• Slows in the later rounds

I have Degli as my #3 Brazilian prospect which is pretty high praise. Degli started off fighting lower-tier guys but his last two fights proved he was at a high level. Beating Hugo Paiva and Alisson Murilo are excellent wins over two solid prospects. Before that, he beat a guy that was 4-0 at the time. His only issue is actually getting fights because not many out there wanna fight him.

What makes Degli such a good fighter is the fact he's good in every area. He has a few questions but zero glaring holes. He does slow but it's more so his body language. Over time he decides to fight going backwards and that's probably what drains his tank. He still is consistently effective with his jab and lateral movement. He fights behind his jab so well and throws the one-two and a cross off it beautifully. Degli will control the range with his striking and then explode in with a flying knee. While on the inside his muay thai is a weapon as well.

Over the course of his pro career, Degli has leaned on his ground game as he's a BJJ black belt. I've been really impressed with his wrestling. It all comes from his timing on his level changes but the guy can drive in on the hips and chain wrestle if needed. Degli can be a little soft in his top control giving too much space. He does it so he can catch the neck in a transition or scramble to a dominant position. Degli is a big submission threat and as it's more so with going after the neck he's good at all areas.

Degli is a UFC-level flyweight and could crack into the top 15 at some point. He'd probably fall short against the higher-paced guys but he can excel towards the top and I wouldn't be surprised.