Top 10 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

Besides doing my prospect report every week I'm just gonna do the top ten prospects in action every week. In no particular order here are the ten best from this week.

Flyweight, Eduardo Chapolin (10-1)

Chapolin is a fun dude at 125 and his only loss is to UFC's Kleydson Rodrigues. He's well versed in all areas but tends to like to strike more. He's better letting guys come to him. When he's pushing forward with strikes he's more open to being his. When he fights off his back foot his striking is solid. He slips punches really well and throws a lot of output. His takedown defense isn't great but has good jiu-jitsu. I've even seen Chapolin go from in someone's guard to on their back in a second. He also gets better as the fight goes on. He makes his debut for LFA this week against Davi Costa (11-3). There is no footage on Costa but has won his last seven fights finishing all seven in the first round.

Lightweight, Jairo Pacheco (6-0)

Pacheco may be unexpected to have on this list considering all the other talent on the LFA card Friday. I'm pretty high on Pacheco with his overall potential. My only knock on him is he can be overzealous with his submission attempts. He backs that up with strong jiu-jitsu. Even off his back, he'll threaten with submissions. On the feet he has a good jab, has his hands high, and picks his shots. I wish he would open up more but is technical. Only being 24 he's got a lot to look forward to. He fights Rhalber Bernardo (8-5) who he should comfortably beat.

Light-heavyweight, Bruno Lopes (9-0)

Matsumoto I had in this spot but is now not fighting this week. Lopes is an undefeated 205er that has been on my radar. Without going in too much depth he's good everywhere but the footage does lack. Of what I've seen I've been impressed. He debuts for LFA. He fights Mailton Azavedo (10-3) who is a good test.

Featherweight, Igeu Kabesa (13-2)

Dricus Du Plessis became the first South African to break into the rankings in the UFC. Kabesa has that kind of potential as well. Kabesa did suffer an unfortunate loss last year but it's just a hiccup in the world. Kabesa is a very decorated wrestler being a 10-time Wrestling Nationals Champion. He is young and solid everywhere. Kabesa has amazing wrestling and grappling, he can move well on the mat and can reach the mount fairly easily. His striking is good too, moving in and out with explosive punches quickly and his slips and counters are solid. He fights Nerick Simoes (5-3) for a chance to become the EFC featherweight champion for the third time.

Welterweight, Kevin Jousset (5-0)

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. His only loss is to UFC fighter Jack Della. Born in France he fights out in New Zealand and trains out of City Kickboxing. Jousset is a legit judo fighter in MMA and has really adapted well as his stand-up is really good. He has good kicks, straight punches, and with the takedowns, he has solid grappling. He fights Kaleb Rideout (6-2) who is on my radar as well but I think Jousset gets the win.

Middleweight, Gamzat Khiramagomedov (10-1)

Some may forget that Khiramagomedov was a top prospect in 2018. He signed with PFL in 2019 and lost to Glaico Franca and then injury occurred and that was his run in PFL. He's quietly won his last three fights and is back to the guy he was and he's still just 28. The Russian hardly ever shoots for takedowns, and while he has success when he does so, his stand-up is far superior. Khiramagomedov does have a problem throwing single shots with not much volume. With that said, he does have laser accuracy and a quick release. He does a great job at controlling range with an aggressive opponent moving backward landing beautiful counters. Khiramagomedov is very diverse and creative with his hands and legs while cutting slight angles perfectly. He fights Dauren Ermekov (16-5) for the interim EFC middleweight title.

Bantamweight, Renat Khavalov (5-0)

Khavalov first jumped out to me and probably everyone else when he handed Sharapudin Magomedov his first loss. That was the first title defense of his EFC bantamweight title. This Saturday will make his third title defense. An awesome fighter that had no flaws and has fought good competition. Does everything so well and at a high-level. First off, he has solid wrestling with good timing on his takedown entries. He's got heavy top position and nasty ground and pound. When he isn't dominating on top his striking is good too. He does the small important things very well like footwork and head movement. Khavalov is a good counter striker and the release on his strike is so good to watch. Russia is loaded with talent and he's one of the best I feel. He fights Ramazan Amaev (7-0) which should be a banger of a fight.

Bantamweight, Steven Koslow (5-0)

Koslow is one-dimensional but it's worked wonders with him as a pro and amateur. He's undefeated as a pro and as an ammy, he went 10-1. Koslow is purely a grappler that has submitted all his opponents inside one round. Not much is shown of his striking, instead, it’s used to close the distance. He has done a great job pressing guys against the cage and dropping to the legs and getting the takedowns. His jiu-jitsu is sharp easily getting dominant positions and finishing from there. Koslow with good positional grappling is a huge submission threat. Four of his five submissions are from different subs so he's diverse in his attack. Koslow fights James Dunn (4-4) which is a gimmie fight.

Middleweight, Taiga Iwasaki (7-0)

It's nice to see a good prospect from Japan fighting at 185. There isn't a ton of heavier guys that are talented out of Japan. Iwasaki is billed more as a grappler but holds two finishes from a head kick. He has some deceptive power in his hands as well dropping guys before. His wrestling comes from strong takedowns from the clinch. Iwasaki is lockdown on the mat with a heavy top position. When you let this guy in a dominant position he's gonna stay there. I won't say I'm high on him because he's not on my watch list. Gotta see how he does this Sunday. He is fighting a guy that's 1-4 so either way, he's not proving much.

Featherweight, Wellington Prado (13-2)

Prado has lost only lost two fights; one to UFC's Joanderson Brito and Marcos dos Santos who is a tough Brazilian veteran. Prado on the feet is scrappy but much more talented on the mat. He has solid BJJ with eight of his wins coming by submission. On top he’s proficient in passing into better positions fairly easily, making him a big threat. He fights Italo Gomes (11-2) who is good as well. I just think Prado is slightly better.