Best Prospects in Action This Week (Patreon)

Featherweight, Tommy McMillen (3-0): Undefeated as a pro McMillen also went 7-0 as an amateur. As an ammy, McMillen won two titles; one at welterweight and one at lightweight. McMillen trains out of the MMA Lab and has had guys like Sean O'Malley in his corner. From what I've seen he's a better wrestler/grappler but has been rounding out his overall game on the feet. I'm not fully sold but I've liked his progression.
Grade: C+

Lightweight, Leo Brichta (11-3, 1 NC): Outside of MMA, Birchta has competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Birchta does a lot of things so well on the feet but it all starts with his kickboxing. He dictates the pace with his kickboxing. He'll work the inside and outside leg kick often. He will never throw the same kick back to back. He will actively attack the leg, body, and head. Birchta is good at maintaining his range on the outside with of course his kicks but his jab as well. Birchta is always throwing in combinations. Birchta will double up on the jab, rip the body, all while mixing in kicks into combinations. He will use a ton of feints and traps to keep his opponent guessing. I got an extended piece here on Patreon if you look it up.
Grade: A

Featherweight, Josef Štummer (3-0): His biggest issue is his gas tank in the late rounds. I give him credit when he's a young pro and transitioning from three-minute rounds as an amateur. Also, even when tired he's still effective in the fight but just more labored. His striking isn't great either. Stummer has a pop in his hands but is too robotic on the feet. What did impress me was his overall wrestling, top control, grappling, and his ability to dig deep. Only 3-0 as a pro but has some good accolades. Stummer as an amateur went 16-2 and competed for IMMAF winning bronze in 2020. Outside of that, he's a 2018 BJJ European Champion and a 2019 AJP Jiu Jitsu CR. Stummer is one to watch for going forward.
Grade C+

Bantamweight, Malcolm Wellmaker (5-0): Wellmaker is a striker but can get the takedown to mix it up. His takedowns mostly come from in the clinch utilizing trips. His grappling outweighs his wrestling. Wellmaker is good at quickly passing guard and improving positions. He can be a little overzealous with the submission attempts but is a good submission threat. Outside of needing to pick up the volume Wellmaker is an excellent striker. He uses his reach on the outside with his straight punches, jab, and hard outside leg kicks. The best thing Wellmaker does is mix up his striking lanes. He doesn't throw enough combinations but he does a great job of staying busy. Wellmaker never throws the same thing back-to-back always throwing something different coming from both sides. Good timing, good shot-selection, and being accurate are why his striking is so clean.
Grade: B

Featherweight, Kacper Formela (16-4): Formela has had a career resurgence going back to Polan and winning the FEN featherweight title. He went from losing two is a row to a current seven-fight win streak. Formela comes from a background in karate. Formela in a dangerous guy on the feet that's super explosive and dynamic. He's throws a lot of output and blends everything together so well. I like Formela and think with a win here a big promotion could come calling.
Grade: B+

Welterweight, Cezary Oleksiejczuk (11-2): Out of Poland Cezary Oleksiejczuk is the current FEN welterweight champion. The same promotion his brother Michal fought at before signing to the UFC. Cezary is a thriving young man fighting at the age of just 22. Lately, he’s fought good competition and is on a four-fight win streak. He’s overall well-rounded with a high ceiling and has the same if not more potential as his brother.
Grade: A