Prospect of the week: Jose Ferreira (Patreon)

Jose Ferreira
From: Temuco, Chile
Camp: Elemental Dojo
Weightclass: Lightweight (155lbs)
Age: 24-years-old
Height: Five-foot-nine
Record: 10-0, 1 NC
Methods: 2 KO/TKOs, 5 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 57-27

Pros

• Submission threat
• Slick jiu-jitsu
• Good use of trip takedowns
• Excellent use of front chokes
• Good ground and pound
• Smooth grappling transitions
• Scrambles really well
• Explosive
• Heavy leg kicks
• Well-conditioned
• Good wrestling

Cons

• TDD needs some work
• Open to the body
• Head sits on the centerline

Jose Ferreira represents Latin America and is one of the few top prospects out of Chile. In fact, Ferreira is easily the best prospect from his country. He started his MMA journey in 2015. Steadily, Ferreira has grinded away on the Chilean scene getting his hand raised is small regional shows.

Ferreira started off fighting low-tier guys but in September he signed with Combate. He's 2-0 in the Combate cage and both guys he beat were a good tests for him but he passed with flying colors. Not training with a big team it's outstanding how good this guy is. 

"Tiro Loco" has been improving with each fight. He's been adding to his skillset and mainly to his striking. He's always been a good grappler so there is some work being done on the stand-up. Ferreira on the feet mainly focuses on his kickboxing. It's the leg kicks he sets the pace with and dictates the range with. He can sit on the outside and pick away and then explode forward with flying knees.

On the mat is where Ferreira is most comfortable. A lot of his takedowns come from trips in the clinch. He's capable of getting takedowns in space but shoots in and completes on the inside. A big area that's improved is his defensive wrestling/grappling.

Takedown defense can be a blur in his skillset. Saying that it's extremely dangerous to shoot on. Ferreira is strong at shifting his hips and getting top positions or scrambling to get a better position. More importantly, he's one of those guys that will snatch the neck when you shoot or dip their head. Ferreira while in the top position actively looks to set up an anaconda choke. That choke has become a signature finish for him. Just as easy he can take the back and finish from here. Ferreira is smooth in transitions and never is complacent in a position always working to improve his position. 

Ferreira isn't known for his quick finishes as he's well-conditioned. He hasn't been pressed defensively so he hasn't had to dig deep but he has been impressive so far. Ferreira doesn't check all the boxes yet but is hovering over doing so far. I like this guy from Chile and I expect to see him in the UFC in the next two years.