Top 10 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

Middleweight, Sharaputdin Magomedov (10-0)

Magomedov is someone I'm real high on as he's my #6 ranked prospect worldwide. There is no disguise to the style of Magomedov; he’s not gonna be someone to shoot takedowns, but instead will chip away from all angles on the feet. The best thing Magomedov brings to the table is diversity. He literally throws everything in the kitchen at you and throws in different varieties. Magomedov’s hands, knees, legs, elbows; he’s always implanting into his game. He throws a ton of sidekicks, hook kicks, crescent kicks, ax kicks, and wheel kicks. Nobody fights like that guy in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, ONE, or anywhere else. Some may have a similar style, but nobody perfects it as he does. Magomedov is one of the most intriguing and exciting prospects out there and shockingly is blind in one eye. He fights Sergei Martynov (16-4)

Flyweight, Paris Moran (7-1)

Moran is another one I'm high on and he's ranked #16 among my favorite 20 worldwide. He is an exciting prospect who was a seven-time sanda national champion. Moran is a smart technical fighter that can point-fight or shut the lights out. He’s someone that understands distance management. His right hand, jab, one-two and kicks are all things he does so well on the outside. When the distance is attempted to be closed on him he’ll catch you with knees and counter strikes. His style may not be for everyone but nobody at 125 fights like this guy and that's exciting to me. He fights Joshua Thawng who is a talented kid but isn't ready for this big step already.

Featherweight, Busurmankul Abdibait (14-3-1)

Uulu is the current Eagle FC featherweight champion and this Wednesday will be his first title defense. He can stand and trade in a brawl, wrestle, and grapple all very well. Uulu has a bombshell of a right hand, heavy kicks, strong wresting, and solid ground and pound. Arguably the best prospect out of Kyrgyzstan at the moment. He's a winner of his last six and his last lost came to Sebastian Kotwica who I like a lot. He fights Rasul Magomedov (10-3).

Bantamweight, Rustam Kerimov (16-0)

Kerimov is one of the best prospects coming out of Russia and is the former reigning defended ACA champion. Where Kerimov is so challenging is his wrestling but it’s complimented and set up with his striking/kickboxing. Kerimov is very good at letting foes come forward and then surprises them with the level change to get the takedown. He fights behind his kicks which is what he sets his takedowns up with and how he controls the pace. Don’t sleep on his hands though because if you do you’ll be waking up not knowing what happened. More imposing than his power is his hand speed and movement. He fights Tomas Deak (22-11-1).

Bantamweight, Jean Matsumoto (10-0)

Still a young talent at just 22-years-old, Jean Matsumoto has looked good against good competition lately. On the feet, his output/volume is a highlight. Jean is always throwing in volume usually throwing a one-two followed by a leg kick. Not just a one-two though — Matsumoto will fire hook after hook while ripping the body. Putting together punches, leg kicks, and body shots is something he does very well. With how good he is on the feet, he’s looked even better on the mat. Matsumoto only has three submissions but is a big threat always looking for them. Especially the anaconda choke, which is one of his go-to’s. He throws very good active ground and pound and that mixed in with solid jiu-jitsu makes him a huge threat. He fights Carlos Henrique (9-3).

Bantamweight, Corbin Howard (3-0)

Fighting out of a traditional taekwondo stance Howard stands sideways and will frequently switch stances. Howard is light on his feet and agile with his legs. He hasn't had that finish coming from a kick yet but its a main weapon of his. He can easily throw a roundhouse in close spaces. Going to the body, legs, and head is all natural and uses his kickboxing to set up his wrestling. Howard has fast hands and uses feints to land the bigger shots. For a smaller guy he has deceptive power. He holds a clean uppercut knockout that was just brutal. More so its his timing, placement, and vision that sets his striking apart. The taekwondo world champion may be ultra dangerous on the feet but his collegiate wrestling is what has him undefeated as a pro and an amateur. Howard does fantastic work at letting guys come to him and change levels for a takedown using their momentum against them. He can throw a head kick followed by a level change so smooth and so quick and the execution is stellar. Howard isn't all about timing as he can get takedowns from the clinch and has good chain wrestling. He fights Tyler Stokes (4-4).

Welterweight, Khabib Nabiev (5-0)

Nabiev isn’t much in the striking department but is an outstanding grappler. Nabiev floats on top and transitions to dominant positions freely. His wrestling looks good enough so far. Even in positions where he’s off his back he’s scrambled and got back in control. All four of his finishes have come from what he’s done on top. Nabiev still has a way to come but his grappling alone is to be feared. He is one-dimensional and a little boring as some will say but he's so good at what he masters in. He fights Konstantin Veselkin (11-10-1).

Bantamweight, Luke Riley (3-0)

Even compared to some of the more established UK prospects Luke Riley is even more hyped. He’s never lost a fight between a pro and amateur, being 7-0 combined. The story so far with Riley has been getting taken down, getting up, and knocking guys out. His striking is super clean and the bodywork is top-notch. Cage Warriors have someone special in Riley. He's one of the most exciting prospects coming out of the UK and is a must-watch everytime he fights. He's stepping up on short notice up a weightclass against Cheriff Larossi (1-1) who he should be able to beat/every timea 

Welterweight, Trevor Peek (5-0)

Peek is just now coming to my attention for the first time. What I saw first is he's a competent striker with good pop in his hands. With that said, he's an even better wrestler. Good wrestling along with heavy control and even heavier ground and pound. Not fighting the best of competition but more experienced fighters he's beaten. Not sold fully but has a chance to prove himself this weekend. He fights former UFC fighter Khama Worthy (18-9) who is always dangerous.

Bantamweight, Robbie Ring (4-0)

Virginia's Ring in underrated due to the fact he's just fought in these smaller promotions. Undefeated as a pro he was as well as an amateur going 7-0. Ring, as a pro has finished all four of his fights and has finished all four in under a minute. Ring has that knockout explosive power and is a much better wrestler. He starts fast getting right after it ready to land that one shot or drawn you on the mat. His submission base is strong and has fight-ending ground and pound. Ring fights Jacob Kilburn (8-6) who is a former UFC fighter.