Prospects to watch for this week: (Patreon)

Switching it up a little. Here is a prospect in each division fighting this week to watch out for. I will be doing it like this and the original way back and forth.

Heavyweight: Guilherme Pat (3-0): I scouted Pat when he was just 1-0. I didn't know what to think of him then and I still don't know what to think. He's in shape for a heavyweight and has good size. I'm worried about his striking defense, especially with how low he holds his hands. In his pro fight, he won from a simple jab that lead to the finish. In his second fight he won with a quick head kick. His last fight went into round three but it was low volume and the stoppage was odd. He is the best heavyweight prospect but it's still on the table if he's even good or not.

Light-heavyweight: Shealor Ladd (8-0 Ammy): No surprise but I had a rough time finding a good light-heavyweight prospect. I had to go to the amateur ranks and I found Shealor Ladd. Shealor is the younger brother of former UFC fighter Aspen Ladd. Watching Ladd, he's definitely green but that's expected at just 20-years-old. He's a better wrestler than anything and has been solid on top with solid ground and pound. His striking needs work but has been taking boxing/kickboxing fights to round out his craft.

Middleweight: Eslam Abdul Baset (14-2): I do know Baset has been in talks with the UFC and the last I heard is get another win and he's in. His only loss in seven years is to former Cage Warriors champion Djati Melan which was a close fight. Baset is a strong dude that is super athletic. The striking is a bit one-and-done but is a good wrestler. His best work is done when he gets the takedown. Baset is physically strong on top and his ground and pound is his best weapon.

Welterweight: Samandar Murodov (8-0): Muradov was last seen as a featured fight on the Road to the UFC last season. He impressed and everyone was surprised the UFC didn't sign him immediately. Apparently, the reasoning is he had VISA issues but that seems sorted now. There isn't much I dislike about Murodov but there is a lot I like. He's got good wrestling, is a slick grappler, scrambles really well, and has a submission attack. His stand-up is still growing but at his age he has time to develop. Hopefully, with a win here he's a new UFC fighter.

Lightweight: Hilário Silva (8-1-1): Silva is a part of team Chute Boxe Diego Lima which is filled with talented fighters. From Charles Oliveira to Allan Nascimento to Daniel Santos to all the other rising up-and-comers. Since losing his third pro fight in early 2019 Silva has won his last six outside of a draw. Silva is a fun exciting prospect that’s going to cause a lot of damage in his career. He has that Chute Boxe striking style like a lot of these nasty Brazilians have.

Featherweight: Ethan Burmingham (1-0): I was first brought to Burmingham's attention when he was 4-0 as an amateur by his manager. Burmingham is still a super young kid at only 19 years old. Burmingham has competed in various grappling contests and it’s by far the main focus in his MMA fights. The young man is a serious jiu-jitsu specialist. Comfortable going to his back, he’s extremely flexible and ultra dangerous just throwing his legs up and attacking submissions. Burmingham has a lethal triangle choke, which seems to be his favorite tool. If he doesn’t force guys to tap in the triangle, he will land elbows and hold them in the position, making life difficult. He’s the 125-pound submission hunter champion, a five-time world champion, and a ten-time national champion.

Bantamweight: Luis Gurule (5-0): Gurule usually fights at flyweight but is moving up in weightclass for this week. It's a good thing too because surprisingly, bantamweight is short on talent this week. Gurule is a product out of Factory X. He comes from a wrestling background as he was a high school champion out of Colorado. For a wrestler, he's got a finish from a knee and a backhand. His striking is good in the pocket getting after it. His wrestling is good and so is his heavy ground and pound.

Flyweight: Paris Moran (8-2): Moran would probably already de in the UFC if he didn't lose to Josh Van. As the current year has shown losing to Van isn't all too bad cause the kid is a stud. Moran is an exciting prospect who was a seven-time sanda national champion. Moran is a smart technical fighter that can point-fight or shut the lights out. He’s someone that understands distance management. His right hand, jab, one-two, and kicks are all things he does so well on the outside. When the distance is attempted to be closed on him he’ll catch you with knees and counterstrikes. If he can beat a tough Alberto Trujillo this weekend he should get called up to the UFC.

Woman: Alexia Thainara (8-1): Thainara is an impressive flyweight that's one of the better female prospects out of Brazil I just scouted her a few months ago and I was sold. On the feet, Thainara is a big stiff but makes up for it with her volume and shot placement. Thainara is better on the mat. She has five wins coming by submission. Her grappling is solid altogether and her wrestling seems to be good enough. I got my questions on her overall as soon as she fights better competition. Being only 25 I like where she's at in her career.