Prospect of the Week: Mark Climaco (Patreon)

Mark Climaco
From: Fremont, California, US
Camp: AKA
Weightclass: Flyweight (125lbs)
Age: 24-years-old
Height: Five-foot-four
Record: 7-1
Methods: 2 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponents' record: 14-6

Mark Climaco has been in MMA since early 2016. He only fought as an amateur for six months and still managed to fight four times. He went 4-0 and won a regional title out of a small promotion in California. 

As a pro, he only lost one fight and that was to Yuma Horiuchi who is a good fighter in his own right. He was caught in a flash knockout and that's a fight I think he would take in a rematch. Climaco did rebound off that last July taking prospect' Cory Davis "0" who was 5-0 at the time. Climaco improved his record to 7-1.

Climaco is a mixed martial artist but is an excellent wrestler easily being where he's most comfortable. On the feet, Climaco is very good and defensively there is some questions but ultimately there are no real concerns. He at times leaves his head on the centerline and sometimes gets lulled into taking one and returning too much. Offensively he brings a lot to the table even though he doesn't show it as much. Climaco has some slick short combinations he throws. He's always using different looks and throwing different patterns. Climaco is also a really good kicker. If it's chopping at the lead leg and very good at attacking the liver. His counter striker is also really good. 

Where Climaco shines is on the mat and the wrestling to get it there is superb. Climaco has a lot of classic wrestling skills you look for when you see these high-level wrestlers transition to MMA. The impressive thing is that Climaco doesn't have a wrestling background but is that good naturally. Climaco is able to time his entries, run the pipe, chain wrestle, shift his hips, and most importantly complete the takedown.

It's not about the takedown it's what you do with it and Climaco does a lot with it. He's gone the distance more times than not so his body of work doesn't get enough credit. Climico does a fantastic job at controlling the outside wrist to land ground and pound and move to dominant position. He's usually in all his fights taking the back multiple times. He's a really good positional grappler and can fight at a high wrestling/grappling pace for three solid rounds.

Climaco beat good prospects in Igor Siqueira and Cody Davis while beating guys from top teams in Jackson Wink and Xtreme Couture. He's only 24 and is a top-level 125er. Many might not know it but Climaco is the real deal