Top 10 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

The list excludes any prospects fighting on the contender series.

Middleweight, Miles Lee (4-0)

Lee is a part of the Renzo Gracie Philly gym that has been killing with guys like Sean Brady, Pat Sabatini, and Jeremiah Wells in the UFC. Miller has had a quietly solid career. As an amateur, he went 5-0 and was the CFFC middleweight champion. To win that title as an amateur he beat SD Dumas who I rate highly. As a pro, he's 3-0 and recently beat Earl Small who was on my radar at the time. Now, this Friday he's fighting for the CFFC pro middleweight title. Lee is a lockdown wrestler with a deep gas tank. He's been dominant and hard to stop from coming forward and controlling you. Lee is fighting Donovan Beard (6-1) who is good and a stern test for Lee.

Welterweight, Mikey England (6-1)

England has done a great job sticking to his roots which is his wrestling. He's also developed a dangerous striking game. He generates so much power in his hands and it only takes one from him to make a difference. England does have a strong stiff jab and will go to the body then head in short combinations. Unless he knocks you out early doesn't play around on the feet too much before taking the fight down. What's impressive with his wrestling most of his takedowns are from the upper body. Meaning he's usually just using that raw power besides having to chain wrestle. And as I said above England has that mauling-type ground and pound. Not giving a damn about submissions England is just all about punching their face in. He fights Josh Weston (9-12) who is awful. 

Flyweight, Asu Almabaev (15-2)

Asu Almabaev is a former interim title-holder in 2019 beating former UFC fighter Chris Kelades. Almabaev has a background in freestyle wrestling, was a national champion in jiu-jitsu, and has a BJJ world cup. He’s on a current eleven-fight win streak taking out solid competition. His last seven opponents had a combined of 51-8. On the feet Almabaev is quick, he has good fast hands, and he throws a lot of volume with combinations. His takedown defense is his glaring weakness but his good BJJ bails him out of bad positions. He’s mostly well-rounded and with proven cardio, he’s a solid fighter. He's one of the best flyweight prospects out there. Asu fights Zach Makovsky who is well-known. This is the fight that should get Asu to the UFC.

Bantamweight, John Sweeney (10-3)

Sweeney is labeled more as a wrestler. As a matter of fact, he’s been training for years at Upstate Karate for his whole career with Stephen Thompson. Sweeney is also a black belt in karate, which he earned when he was 21. He is now on a four-fight win streak. He is someone that had some hype in 2018, and it quickly fizzled out. It seemed he was forgotten for a little while. He’s quietly gotten back to a big opportunity shot though, and his last fight against Cole Smith being such a great fight has put more eyes on him. Sweeney is a forward pressure fighter that has good hands and an even better ground game. He's turned it on recently. He fights Ricardo Dias (10-5).

Flyweight, Cody Davis (5-0)

This spot came down to who I think will win between Davis and Mark Climaco. I think it's gonna be a high-paced fight and I'm leaning towards Davis. Davis is a strong wrestler with a good gas tank. As he showed in his last fight he has the ability to adapt anywhere and get better as the fight goes. In what he lacks in size he makes up for it with athleticism and speed. Even though he's just 5'3" he's good with the jab. Davis has excellent footwork bouncing in and out of the pocket so quick and fluid. Watching Davis it's hard not to be impressed with everything he does.

Welterweight, Tyson Miller (3-0)

Miller made his pro debut for Bellator MMA and his last fight was for Bellator as well. For some reason, he's not signed to Bellator and is fighting on the LFA prelims this weekend. He was an athlete growing up as he competed in wrestling, football, and baseball in North Western College. Miller is still green and isn't as good as any of these other guys but has the potential. He's only just 24 so there is plenty of time to get even better. He's a short compact fighter with a lot of explosion. Miller is a good wrestler and on the feet, the best way to describe him is he likes to put his hands on you. Not as much technique but aggression is there. Miller is fighting Emmanueli Adzoh (3-1) who he should beat.

Welterweight, Raheam Forest (4-0)

Forest really jumped out to me when he fought and beat Donovan Beard last November. Forest went just 5-6 as an amateur so the resurgence he's had in his career is amazing. When talking about the guys with massive power in their hands that's Forest. Not just his hands as he kicks like a mule and is very explosive. He brings that with constant forward pressure and a good gas tank. Forest is a good wrestler as well being capable of taking this fight anywhere. He has heavy top position and nasty ground and pound. There isn't much not to like about this guy. I think he's a stud and has a high ceiling. Forest fights Trevor Ollison (5-4) who is a step down from who he just beat.

Middleweight, Billy Elekana (4-0)

I really like Elekana as a middleweight prospect. He's six-foot-two and uses his range well. He has a long snipping jab that everything is set up from that. He sets up a sneaky head kick and a right hand. Elekana is technical, composed, and precise. He picks his shots and when it lands clean he has the power to stop the fight. Elekana missed weight his last fight so it takes away from his performance but as a talent, I think he could be the real deal. He fights Daniel Compton (6-2) who is a good test.

Lightweight, Gauge Young (4-0)

Out of Glory MMA Gauge Young is a stud. He jumped out to me in his last fight scoring a big knockout against another good prospect David Evans. Prior to turning pro, he was a talked-about amateur. He went 7-1 only losing to Ashton Kirby. Young is a good counter stiker with deceptive power. He throws good kicks as well but his right hand is his primary weapon. Young can grapple scrambling well and has good ground and pound. He has lot of tools to be successful but a few holes that will slow his progress for a couple of years. He fights Demagio Smith (2-1).

Welterweight, Luis Felipe Dias (14-4)

Dias did lose his last fight but I still like him a lot. I would rate the grappling of Dias very highly. From the time he touches the canvas he is constantly moving and working to finish. Dias has no fear of attempting submissions in awkward positions. Not sloppy in the slightest as he really knows what he’s doing. Besides position over submission Dias is very tactical when locking up a submission. You can’t ask for much more from Diaz in the grappling department. Dias tends to test the waters on the feet. What stands out most is a heavy outside leg kick, a sticking jab, and a one-two. Dias is a patient fighter picking at his opponent on the outside. He fights in bursts. Dias does get a bit wild and does overreach in a lot of his strikes. He has the power and volume to back himself up though. He fights Luiz Cado (14-7-1)