Top 5 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

Featherweight, Rudy Gavidia (17-3)

Peru native Rudy Gavidia is quite the showman and he has every right to be with the run he's been on. Gavidia has a background in jiu-jitsu and was a boxing champion in China in 2008 and 2009. Gavidia is well-rounded as he has a good jab with leg kicks on the feet. He moves well on top but is very heavy as well and while he has good ground-and-pound, he does hold five submissions. He has a fun fighting style and his personality is all great to see. Gavidia fights Heber Federico Pereyra (12-1) for the vacant FFC title.

Bantamweight, Ekaterina Shakalova (7-1)

Ukraine’s Shakalova made quite the impact last year. She earned a win over a good prospect in Róża Gumienna and Jamila Sandora, while also beating former UFC fighter Izabela Badurek. Shakalova is a three-time grappling world champion and a four-time European grappling champion. Her wrestling is outstanding. Not every day you see takedowns from arm drags and fireman's carry and that's what you're getting here. Nothing on the feet but is a legit grappler and wrestler. She defends her FEN title against Suvi Salmimies (12-5-1).

Flyweight, Damir Tolenov (7-0)

Damir Tolenov started fighting as a bantamweight but later moved down to flyweight. Last year Tolenov won with Octagon MMA flyweight title. Octagon MMA is a major promotion out of Kazakhstan. Tolenov is a good striker but an even more skilled grappling holding three submission wins. I'm not entirely sold on him but he has a high ceiling. He defends his title against (7-4).

Flyweight, Carlos Mota (7-1)

Mota is a lot of fun and his sole loss was to UFC's Charles Johnson in an absolute banger. Mota is well-rounded and does everything very well. On the feet, he has the power and speed as well as output and combinations. He will throw single shots but has the power to back that up. He’s got a good kicking game as well. Mota has good jiu-jitsu also. He doesn’t have any submission wins but has the control and transitions down pat. Flyweight is loaded with talent and I think will be in the UFC by the end of next year.

Bantamweight, Bernardo Sopai (8-2)

Sopai did lose his last fight to Francesco Nuzzi but I think still has a brighter future. He is a product out of Allstars Gym Sweeden which is a fantastic team. Crazy enough, Sopai is only 21 years old and a complete fighter already. On the feet, he has a muay thai background. The Albanian is a solid striker with excellent kicks and slick short combinations. He doesn’t really have knockout power but does throw a lot of volume and gives a lot of different looks. I’ve been impressed with the wrestling from the setups, speed, and his ability to slam guys to the mat. Sopai has three wins by submission and overall his grappling could be where he’s best at. This kid is a major problem with a bright future. He fights Karlen Minasian (5-1).

Couldn't finish this list cause I and the family are dealing with covid but here are some brief notes on other prospects in action this week I like:

• The guy fighting Carlos Mota, Rizvan Abuev is very intriguing. He's very dynamic and fun to watch just let loose. There is some questions defensively and his gas tank though. If he beats Mota he's the real deal.
• Ray Waters being only 2-0 he dominated in those two fights. He wrestled for Arizona State and his wrestling and the ground game has looked strong. He has a piston of a right hand and is really powerful.
• Richie Miranda, I'm not sold on but is an insanely slick grappler. Someone you don't want on your neck and is really quick at finding the subs and execution is perfect.
• Ryan Kuse is getting his first test against former UFC fighter Justin Scoggins. Scoggins is no easy fight and it will be a good fight to see where the level of Kuse really is at.
• ACA's Alikhan Vakhaev is someone I like in the heavyweight division. e a striker who understands distance management. He throws good long punches and kicks and does an excellent job coming in with strikes and knees in the clinch. He’s shown to be a well-equipped counter striker making opponents pay when they rush in on him. He's fighting for ACA gold this weekend.
• Anastasia Nikolakakos was on my radar years ago but hasn't fought in three years. Interested to see how she looks.
• Hannah Rokala is making her pro debut. She had a successful amateur career going 13-1 and was a regional champ. She's really skilled and only just 24.