Top 10 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

Strawweight, Valesca Machado (9-3, 1NC)

Machado is a striker-first type of fighter. She’s more of a brawler, as she plants her feet and throws wide looping right and left hooks. Not just a brawler though — she is technical and shows that the more as she gets loose in the fight. ven off her back foot, Machado is a solid striker. She will take damage to give some as she is usually likely to have a better chin and hits harder. On the feet, Machado is always throwing volume and staying active, especially with her hands. With her Muay Thai, striking, output, and power I think she has a lot of potential. If she developed a ground game or just worked on it a little bit she would be that much better.

Light-heavyweight, Murtaza Talha Ali (5-0)

Ali was one of the highest-level light heavyweight amateurs in a long time. Ali is a two-time IMMAF world champion which is the biggest accomplishment out there as an amateur. I believe it's fully transitioned into his pro career. Ali is a good striker and an excellent wrestler. He’s had no issue closing the distance and powering guys to the mat. Ali has solid ground and pound and can grab the neck at any time. Ali has the blueprint to be the next big thing at light heavyweight and I think highly of him being my #17 ranked prospect.

Featherweight, Akhmed Shervaniev (14-1-1)

Shervaniev is a part of the Akhmat Fight Club with the likes of many top Russian prospects. Shervaniev has four submission wins but he really wants to keep the fight on the feet and his excellent takedown defense really helps that. On the feet, you can always see him switching stances and throwing more than one strike. While he can be too patient at times, he is very accurate and quick. I really like everything Shervaniev does and I think he has a bright future. He hasn't fought in almost two years and fighting a tough Kamal Magomedov.

Featherweight, Rudy Gavidia (18-3)

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 is set for his biggest fight to date being his debut for UWC on UFC Fight Pass.

Flyweight, Alan Martinez (5-0)

Martinez is undefeated as a pro and amateur. He’s 5-0 as a pro and 3-0 as an amateur. He was the KOTC champion as an amateur and is undefeated as a pro fighting in Mexico. Martinez is a glue-like grappler with a strong submission base. He gives no space when doing work and actively hunts for the finish. He's run through his competition so far so we need someone that can actually test this guy. He keeps getting bums and is again this week sadly.

Light-heavyweight, Bruno Lopes (10-0)

Lopes is an undefeated 205er that has been on my radar. He really looked good last fight in his debut for LFA. Lopes is good everywhere but the footage does lack for the most part. At his best would be on the mat where he is super strong and a submission threat. In the small moments of his fight, you can see he puts his hands together quite well. Lopes this Saturday fights for the LFA vacant title.

Ran out of time with the Invicta card tonight so here are the last four with brief notes:

Featherweight, José Delano (11-2): I've never been a believer of Delano but his last two fights have made me think otherwise. He just needs to get his weight issues under wraps.

Welterweight, Marcelo Marques (7-0): I'm still new to Marques but of what I've watched he's looked good. His last two wins have been good fighters. I also have heard a lot of good things about this guy. He has a stiff test at LFA in the 9-1 Augusto Matias.

Magomed Magomedov: Not to be mistaken with the other 500 'Magomed Magomedov" on the Tapology database this is the one fighting for Octagon. He's a good wrestler, a grinder, and a solid gas tank.

Featherweight, Omar Solomonov (11-2): I knew of Solomonov for a while but didn't really impress me until his last fight. He's a good wrestler with a strong ground game. Has won his last ten fights.