Fighter Spotlight: Vol. 4 (Patreon)

In this piece, I'll feature the best prospect apart of the UFC this weekend and the best-unsigned prospect. The UFC fighter will be an unranked fighter that has never been ranked but who I think could be ranked one day. The unsigned prospect is just who I think is the best prospect outside a major promotion in action this week.

Lightweight, Ismael Bonfim (19-3) - UFC Vegas 76

I've been high on Bofim for quite a long time so it should be no surprise he's my pick for the spotlight. There is other options like Morales, Fakhretdinov, and Kutateladze.

Prior to the UFC, Bonfim was killing it in Brazil. Dating back to 2014 that's the last time Bonfim lost and it came to Renato Moicano. He's on a current thirteen-fight win streak. Along with a good amount of MMA experience, he has competed in boxing as well. As an amateur boxer, his record was 24-3 and as a pro, it’s 4-1.

Bonfim got to the UFC earning his contract on the contender series. He beat a tough  31-fight veteran Nariman Abbasov. Bonfim didn't get a softball coming into the UFC as he got the always dangerous Terrance McKinney. It was Bonfim the one that was dangerous. He knocked out McKinney with a highlight-reel flying knee that's one of the best knockouts this year so far.

Bonfim is an incredible technical striker. Some of the sharpest boxing you will see from someone on the come-up. Bonfim has a good jab, excellent vision and shot placement, and is a nasty counter striker. Bonfim is so good offensively he's just as good defensively. He keeps his guard high and has wonderful in-fight adjustments.

Usually if one of his fights hits the mat it's him taking it there. I say that cause he has an underrated ground game and has solid takedown defense. His BJJ is strong and is a dangerous submission threat. Bonfim is the full package.

Fighting Bonfim is Benoit Saint-Denis. I like Saint-Denis but this is a bad match-up for him. Bonfim is levels above Saint-Denis on the feet. With the grappling it is closer because Saint-Denis is dangerous there. His ground game is good but his wrestling is moderate so he's not taking down Bonfim. Bonfim is gonna catch Saint-Denis coming in with counters to an eventual finish.

Featherweight, Mochamed Machaev (13-1) - Matrix Fight Night 12

This week there isn't a ton of top prospects in action. There are a ton of younger prospects but hardly any established ones fighting this week. Even in a stacked week of prospects, Machaev would still stand out to me as he's that good.

The only time Machaev lost was to a good fighter in Gamzat Magomedov. That was a quick flash knockout and I would pick Machaev to win the rematch. He's fought for XFN, Brave CF, and UAE Warriors. Outside of MMA, he has a K-1 kickboxing record of 7-0.

Machaev is a really good striker. He’s explosive, has commanding pressure, and a diverse striking arsenal. Machaev is constantly throwing combinations, mixing in a bit of everything. Although his foundation style is kickboxing, Machaev has some underrated wrestling. He’s very good at pressing against the cage and changing levels to the knees, getting the textbook double-leg. For the pace Machaev puts on, he has a deep gas tank.

Machaev is taking this fight this week on short notice against an undefeated Russian over in India. I watched the tape on his opponent, Khabibullo Azizov and I do think he's talented. Saying that I've been far more impressed with Machaev. Machaev has fought way better competition and higher level of experience. I would be surprised if Machaev didn't win this.