Best Bantamweights This Week (Patreon)

Jean Matsumoto (11-0), in my opinion, is one of the best Brazilian prospects across all weightclasses. Matsumoto hasn’t been fighting for all that long and has a strong resume. That resume started in 2019 and won the SFT flyweight title. He then moved up to bantamweight and won the bantamweight title as well. This year, he won and defended his Fight Pro Championship bantamweight title. With how good he is on the feet, he’s looked even better on the mat. He throws very good active ground and pound and that mixed in with solid jiu-jitsu makes him a huge threat.

Manuel Exposito (8-0) wasn't on my radar until he beat Darlan Ferreira earlier this year. There aren't any other notable wins but looks solid fighting out of Argentina. Exposito is a better wrestler/grappler than anything. On the feet, he is precise and is a good kickboxer. He's good at getting under guys and slamming them down. Exposito is very dangerous at submissions in scrambles. He's only 22 so improvements will most definitely come.

Even though he's coming off a loss Nathan Fletcher (6-1) is still a stud. That loss was to Dom Wooding too so no shame in that. He has a good ground game and is a stellar wrestler though. Fletcher has a strong body lock takedown and on top, he’s a tactical grappler with seamless transitions. Overall such a good grappler and wrestler. He's fighting Cameron Else fresh off his UFC release.

A product out of Team Kaobon Liverpool, Caolan Loughran (6-0) trains with the likes of the UFC’s Tom Aspinall, Mike Grundy, and Darren Till. Loughran won three titles as an amateur, and currently thriving as a pro. Ireland’s Loughran has shown glimpses of his capability on the feet. It's been quick feet and light footwork. His movement to attack and retreat and move laterally is very smooth. Wrestling is where Loughran transcends. It’s at best when he’s mixing in his wrestling and striking. His timing on his level changes is usually spot on. If he can’t get the takedown right away he does a good job driving in on the legs and hips to work guys to the mat. Credit his vision, size, and speed for the reason his wrestling is so valuable. His opponent is Luke Shanks (10-3) is the opponent and I like him as well. Shanks has moved up to bantamweight and is undefeated in the weightclass. Shanks is an aggressive fighter who is a wrestler first. On the feet, Shanks hits hard but everything he does is to close the distance. With strong wrestling, he has a strong top position. Shanks has a deep gas tank and that is where his pressure has just broken opponents so far.

Nicholas Hwende (4-0) has always been on my radar but until now I put off writing about him. He's not great anywhere but is good in all areas. On the feet, he's not as technical but throws a lot of output mixing up kicks and punches. He does fight long well and in the inside throws good knees. The wrestling isn't too good but his ground game is probably where he's best. Hwende is good at staying busy on top and taking the back when he can and finishing the fight. He has a big test against a well-known Nkazimulo Zulu for the EFC bantamweight title.