Top 10 prospects in action this week (Patreon)

Heavyweight, Shamil Gaziev (8-0)

Gaziev has a strong record in a division where that's not seen much. He's coming off a big win against Kirill Kornilov last fight. Kornilov was a highly-touted prospect. He had a 9-2 amateur record and was the IMMAF European Champion in 2019. Gaziev is very wrestle-heavy with a good gas tank. I haven't personally been too interested but he is a top ten prospect this week.

Light-heavyweight, Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (6-0)

Gadzhiyasulov is another one that had an impressive amateur career. He went 10-2 and has had a lot of success in IMMAF. There isn't much to go off of outside of his last fight. Gadzhiyasulov is a dynamic fighter on the feet. So dynamic he throws showtime kicks. He has a background in Sambo. He has strong wrestling and his ground game is where he looks the strongest. Can't be to sure but he has my attention this week. He's fighting a dangerous guy in Mohamed Said Maalem (11-4).

Featherweight, Aaron Cañarte (9-0)

Canarte went 5-0 as an amateur and prior to turning pro, he did some time kickboxing including for the well-known WGP. His kickboxing record is 5-1 with his only loss going to former UFC fighter Rony Jason. A fight Cañarte arguably won. Early on as an amateur, Cañarte was just knocking guys out. Growing with each fight, he now mixes up some wrestling into his arsenal. With his kickboxing background, he’s more conventional and picks his kicks. He does a solid job at attacking the lower body, chopping away at the legs, and going after the liver. For more of an in-depth look here is a piece I did on him. 

Lightweight, Landon Quiñones (6-1-1)

Quinones is someone that's been on my radar but needs to be more active. He’s a good striker with a lot of good techniques. Quinones throws a good straight left. He mixes it up well using kicks going to the body and legs well. He’s shown solid TDD, which allows him to be more comfortable on the feet. He fights Yumi Oduwole who has been on a role lately.

Bantamweight, Abdurakhman Nasrutdinov (1-0)

Nasrutinov is still very early in his career but is a bright young prospect. He trains out of Allstars Training Center and is a prodigy of the UFC’s Khamzat Chimaev. As an amateur in MMA, he went 4-1 only losing by split decision and now he’s undefeated as a pro. Nasrutinov as an excellent wrestler with a really good ground game. On the feet, he’s a solid fighter all around. In his last fight, he showed that by getting a knockout victory. I think pretty highly of him to feature him on this list at only 1-0.

Flyweight, Carlos Lozoya (7-2)

At one point Lazoya lost two consecutively but has won his last six. A win over TUF and Contender Series veteran Ricky Steele came last year winning the Fusion Fight League bantamweight title. Earlier this year he made the move down to 125. Lozoya is a BJJ black belt, an Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World champion, and was a collegiate wrestler. In MMA it's been takedowns, damaging ground and pound, and submitting guys as well. He's a big threat at 125.

Flyweight, Gianni Vazquez (8-4)

Vazquez at one point was 3-3 but has looked very good recently. He's now on a three-fight win streak with wins over a top prospect in David Martinez and a tough veteran in Adam Antolin. Vazquez isn't hard to hit, can get taken down, and does get tired. Saying that it's extremely difficult to out dog him. He's a really good striker that's gonna jab you on the outside and kick the calves over and over. He's shown if you get on the inside his elbows are lethal. Vazquez is a nasty striker and even though he doesn't show it he can grapple as well.

Lightweight, Arthur Lima (10-2)

Lima's two losses are to really good prospects in Pavel Gordeev and Rodrigo Lidio. On the feet, Lima has good kickboxing throwing a lot to the legs and likes to show flashy kicks. He has good hands as well throwing just over the shoulder and staying dynamic with his style. He does need to move his head more being his biggest issue. Being talented on the feet he’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu. He’s always working to finish actively attacking with submissions in all positions.

Lightweight, Leo Brichta (10-3)

Brichta was an Oktagon Underground tournament winner in 2020. Brichta is a very talented, skilled guy who is well-rounded. He’s a volume fighter throwing frequent combinations with his hands and has dangerous kickboxing. Brichta has solid wrestling and his best work is on the mat on top. He passes guard easily and transitions very well. He has ferocious ground and pound with smashing elbows. If he doesn’t send the ref in to stop the fight he will create openings and take the neck for the sub. Very underrated fighter. 

Not as sold on Lajuan Davis but watch for him as well