2011 mma prospects
- Thread starter hawkeye
- Start date
Mark Ellis wins his MMA debut, defeating former University of Hawaii Linebacker Jake Heun by RNC in the second round. The only good news of today. Also it took Andrei Arlovski three rounds to defeat Ray Lopez(5-3). Arlovski's best years are over in my opinion.
DixieDestroyer
Hall of Famer
I saw that AA fight against (MMA) can Lopez on Sherdog (early AM today). Andrei's 1-4 in his last 5 fights (KO'd 3x) & seem to have peeked in 2008. His being KO'd 7 times (total) proves his glass jaw. You think he would have changed gears to focus/emphasis his ground game more (as he's never been sub'd). No doubt he's (now) washed up.
Two heavyweights
Aaron Anspach is another All-American wrestler, who made his debut last years and has been busy coaching and training for the Olympic team. While he isn't as good of a wrestler as Cole Konrad or Steve Mocco, He is still extremely talented and looks to be better built then those two. Anspach is 27 years old he is 6'0 240 and has a record of 1-0. His next fight is Sept second against Johnny Curtis (6-2).
Andrew Fogg is another interesting heavyweight. He is 24 years old 6'2 245 with a record of 7-0 as an amateur. He comes from Kentucky the state that brought us Chad Corvin, a great prospect that unfortunately an injury cost him his career. Of Fogg's seven victories five have come by subs from strikes, and no one has gone the distance against him. Though the quality of his opponents isn't great, there are some decent fighters he's faced.
Under the radar
Justin Guthrie is 6'1 185 and only 22 and sports a record of 12-4 . He recently defeated another talented prospect from Strikeforce, Mike Bernhard. Of his four defeats two have come against talented fighters in Jesse Lund and UFC vet Jesse Forbes. Guthrie's problem has been his striking, if he can improve that he has a chance to make it in the UFC and since he is only 22 he has plenty of time to improve.
Two Prospects from big name gyms
Jimmy "Rabbit" Jones is a popular fighter at Xtreme Couture. He is 25 years old 5'7 145 and very well rounded his record is 3-0 pro and 7-3 am. Jones began his career losing his first three fights in 2008. However after devoting himself to training he hasn't lost since. His last victory came against Hulk Hogan's nephew David Bollea(3-1), over the weekend.
Jacob Morris is the top amateur prospect at Team Quest, and even though Hendo and Lindland have split it still has some very talented fighters. Morris is only 20 5'11 170 and hasn't been fighting for long, his background is in wrestling and currently sports a record of 7-2. Morris is expected to make his pro debut next year.
Missouri Prospects
I seem to be a big fan of young fighters from Missouri, mainly because they all are good athletes with strong wrestling backgrounds. Missouri is what Iowa used to be for MMA, and until Jake Varner and Dave Zabriskie try MMA, Missouri will continue to be the future breeding ground for MMA. Two of the guys I've picked out are Rance Foust and Damon Jackson.
Rance Foust trains out of one of Missouri's best gyms Branson City Fight Club. I couldn't find much footage on him but waht I did see I liked. His standup needs improvement, but he can take some shots and his wrestling and submissions are very good. Foust is 23 years old and is 5'11 205 his record is 6-0 Amateur with only one person going past the first round. I think he might be better suited at maybe 170, but he has potential to be a bigger version of Pat Curran.
Damon Jackson is 23 years old 5'10 155 and sports a record of 6-0. From what I saw in his footage he doesn't appear to be a very good striker at all, but he is submission machine 4 first round sub and two second round subs. Jackson also does a good job of taking people down, something other submission guys like Dutin Hazelett don't seem to know how to do.
Aaron Anspach is another All-American wrestler, who made his debut last years and has been busy coaching and training for the Olympic team. While he isn't as good of a wrestler as Cole Konrad or Steve Mocco, He is still extremely talented and looks to be better built then those two. Anspach is 27 years old he is 6'0 240 and has a record of 1-0. His next fight is Sept second against Johnny Curtis (6-2).
Andrew Fogg is another interesting heavyweight. He is 24 years old 6'2 245 with a record of 7-0 as an amateur. He comes from Kentucky the state that brought us Chad Corvin, a great prospect that unfortunately an injury cost him his career. Of Fogg's seven victories five have come by subs from strikes, and no one has gone the distance against him. Though the quality of his opponents isn't great, there are some decent fighters he's faced.
Under the radar
Justin Guthrie is 6'1 185 and only 22 and sports a record of 12-4 . He recently defeated another talented prospect from Strikeforce, Mike Bernhard. Of his four defeats two have come against talented fighters in Jesse Lund and UFC vet Jesse Forbes. Guthrie's problem has been his striking, if he can improve that he has a chance to make it in the UFC and since he is only 22 he has plenty of time to improve.
Two Prospects from big name gyms
Jimmy "Rabbit" Jones is a popular fighter at Xtreme Couture. He is 25 years old 5'7 145 and very well rounded his record is 3-0 pro and 7-3 am. Jones began his career losing his first three fights in 2008. However after devoting himself to training he hasn't lost since. His last victory came against Hulk Hogan's nephew David Bollea(3-1), over the weekend.
Jacob Morris is the top amateur prospect at Team Quest, and even though Hendo and Lindland have split it still has some very talented fighters. Morris is only 20 5'11 170 and hasn't been fighting for long, his background is in wrestling and currently sports a record of 7-2. Morris is expected to make his pro debut next year.
Missouri Prospects
I seem to be a big fan of young fighters from Missouri, mainly because they all are good athletes with strong wrestling backgrounds. Missouri is what Iowa used to be for MMA, and until Jake Varner and Dave Zabriskie try MMA, Missouri will continue to be the future breeding ground for MMA. Two of the guys I've picked out are Rance Foust and Damon Jackson.
Rance Foust trains out of one of Missouri's best gyms Branson City Fight Club. I couldn't find much footage on him but waht I did see I liked. His standup needs improvement, but he can take some shots and his wrestling and submissions are very good. Foust is 23 years old and is 5'11 205 his record is 6-0 Amateur with only one person going past the first round. I think he might be better suited at maybe 170, but he has potential to be a bigger version of Pat Curran.
Damon Jackson is 23 years old 5'10 155 and sports a record of 6-0. From what I saw in his footage he doesn't appear to be a very good striker at all, but he is submission machine 4 first round sub and two second round subs. Jackson also does a good job of taking people down, something other submission guys like Dutin Hazelett don't seem to know how to do.
Cameron Diffley vs John Hendricks http://youtu.be/hj7qgnJOl2g
Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
http://youtu.be/QqJ0nIV34fM
Marshall Manning vs James Bunch
http://youtu.be/zVFXEqC2x8Q
Mark Ellis mma debut
http://youtu.be/wxMNdmvD220
Trey Houston
http://youtu.be/6mhFFtEdu6U
http://youtu.be/FFXq9IDZI58
Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
http://youtu.be/QqJ0nIV34fM
Marshall Manning vs James Bunch
http://youtu.be/zVFXEqC2x8Q
Mark Ellis mma debut
http://youtu.be/wxMNdmvD220
Trey Houston
http://youtu.be/6mhFFtEdu6U
http://youtu.be/FFXq9IDZI58
Gordon Bell defeats Ramsey from TUF
http://youtu.be/tp8JsJJhvsI
http://youtu.be/6lknucfCNYU
Jared Rosholt
http://youtu.be/bwTxiUH68l8
Tim Williams
http://youtu.be/2MsNmsYmaoM
Alex Huddelston
http://youtu.be/Afh0qv7OcVE
Jake Collier
http://youtu.be/ee26UIFCiIk
Andrew Trace
http://youtu.be/FPXSrv1qa00
Trent McCown
http://youtu.be/6VE0XdeYO0s
http://youtu.be/tp8JsJJhvsI
http://youtu.be/6lknucfCNYU
Jared Rosholt
http://youtu.be/bwTxiUH68l8
Tim Williams
http://youtu.be/2MsNmsYmaoM
Alex Huddelston
http://youtu.be/Afh0qv7OcVE
Jake Collier
http://youtu.be/ee26UIFCiIk
Andrew Trace
http://youtu.be/FPXSrv1qa00
Trent McCown
http://youtu.be/6VE0XdeYO0s
Last night Andrew Craig defeat WEC vet Eric Schambari (15-4) by UD to improve his pro record to 6-0. Schambari is a very talented fighter, two of his previous three losses came against talented Bellator vet Bryan Baker, one was a split decision. Craig seemed to be coming into his own in the later rounds.
Two more guys I think have potential
Joey Gambino- and 22 5'7 155 rec 7-0 pro 2-0 am. of his pro fights 4 wins by sub and 3 by ko. Gambino reminds me of a young Frankie Edgar. He has a lot of power and is always coming forward. He has moved up the ranks in New York pretty quickly. His next fight is Oct 22
Jordan Rinaldi- age 24 5'9 155 rec 4-0 pro and 5-1 am. Rinaldi's one loss came against a talented fighter in Colt Howell. Rinaldi is ver good on the ground and in his last fight he defeated WEC vet and TUF alum Dennis Bermudez in the first round by RNC. His next fight is Nov 11.
Joey Gambino- and 22 5'7 155 rec 7-0 pro 2-0 am. of his pro fights 4 wins by sub and 3 by ko. Gambino reminds me of a young Frankie Edgar. He has a lot of power and is always coming forward. He has moved up the ranks in New York pretty quickly. His next fight is Oct 22
Jordan Rinaldi- age 24 5'9 155 rec 4-0 pro and 5-1 am. Rinaldi's one loss came against a talented fighter in Colt Howell. Rinaldi is ver good on the ground and in his last fight he defeated WEC vet and TUF alum Dennis Bermudez in the first round by RNC. His next fight is Nov 11.
Joey Gambino
http://youtu.be/pSrvueHM-Mg
http://youtu.be/jVwiPtZiToI
http://youtu.be/lIAC5eTrFLw
Jordan Rinaldi
http://youtu.be/vkZJ-veHzzI
http://youtu.be/pSrvueHM-Mg
http://youtu.be/jVwiPtZiToI
http://youtu.be/lIAC5eTrFLw
Jordan Rinaldi
http://youtu.be/vkZJ-veHzzI
There were some good prospect proformances on Bellator today. Justin "Grizzly Bear" Frazier 6'0 260 and 22 years old defeated Liron Wilson(9-4). Frasier is from Arkansas and holds a record of 5-0 pro and 6-0 am. all of his pro fights have been stopped in the first round.
Ron Sparks also continues to be a menace. the 6'5 255 pro continued dominating his opponents, this time it was highly touted fighter Mark Hollata(11-2). Sparks pounded away at Holata, in the first round forcing the ref to stop the fight. Holata is a very talented fighter with an All-American wrestling background, but he was no match for the power of Sparks. Sparks is a little older, I think he's 35, but should have got a shot a UFC way before Kimbo. Sparks improves to 8-0 all wins but 1 were stoppages.
The other fight was Blagoi Ivanov, who dominated journeyman Zak Jensen to improve to 5-0 as a pro.
Ron Sparks also continues to be a menace. the 6'5 255 pro continued dominating his opponents, this time it was highly touted fighter Mark Hollata(11-2). Sparks pounded away at Holata, in the first round forcing the ref to stop the fight. Holata is a very talented fighter with an All-American wrestling background, but he was no match for the power of Sparks. Sparks is a little older, I think he's 35, but should have got a shot a UFC way before Kimbo. Sparks improves to 8-0 all wins but 1 were stoppages.
The other fight was Blagoi Ivanov, who dominated journeyman Zak Jensen to improve to 5-0 as a pro.
Bellator will be an all white heavyweight tournament. Eric Prindle defeated TUF vet Abe Wagenr by UD, Prindle impressed me a lot with his strikeing and takedown defense. Prindle is a former USA Army boxing Champion, and at 6'5 290 he holds a record of 8-1 as a pro. Prindle, 31 was for a while training with Brock Lesnar at Team Death clutch. Lesnar was very impressed with his take down defense. His problem has been when he does get taken down he tends to not know what to do.
The forth heavy weight fight of the night was Mike Hayes defeating Neil Grove(11-3-1) by SD, even though I thought Hayes won every round. Hayes, 29 is 6'4 240 and has a record of 16-4 1.
The forth heavy weight fight of the night was Mike Hayes defeating Neil Grove(11-3-1) by SD, even though I thought Hayes won every round. Hayes, 29 is 6'4 240 and has a record of 16-4 1.
Stipe Miocic gets his first UFC win over Joey Beltran. He is 7-0, an all-American wrestler and a golden gloves boxing champ. He is 29 but still very inexperienced. Still, Beltran is a tough guy for your first UFC fight and I'd give Stipe an A- for his performance.
I wonder if Stipe is a tad undersized at heavyweight though he is too big (236) to cut to 205.
I wonder if Stipe is a tad undersized at heavyweight though he is too big (236) to cut to 205.
Today on Bellator
the Kirwan brothers Joey and Jacob both won there fights in impressive fashion.
Joey the younger of the two at 27 won his fight against Lewis Rumsey by guilotine in the first round of the 185 pound fight. Joey improves his record to 8-5 as a pro.
Older brother Jacob, 28 pulled off the upset of the night by defeating previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Renee Nazare(10-1) by UD in the 155 pound fight. Jacob Kirwan improves to 9-3 as a pro. one of those 3 losses was to UFC prospect Jim Hettes.
Other great proformances include Duane Bastress, 28 defeating BJJ black belt Daniel Gracie(5-4) by stopage in the second round of the 205 event. Bastress improves his record to 4-1 pro and 4-0 am. Bastress's only loss was to the number 1 prospect IMO Tim Williams.
Tim Carpenter was impressive as well koing Ryan Contaldi in the first round to improve to 8-1 as a pro.
the Kirwan brothers Joey and Jacob both won there fights in impressive fashion.
Joey the younger of the two at 27 won his fight against Lewis Rumsey by guilotine in the first round of the 185 pound fight. Joey improves his record to 8-5 as a pro.
Older brother Jacob, 28 pulled off the upset of the night by defeating previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Renee Nazare(10-1) by UD in the 155 pound fight. Jacob Kirwan improves to 9-3 as a pro. one of those 3 losses was to UFC prospect Jim Hettes.
Other great proformances include Duane Bastress, 28 defeating BJJ black belt Daniel Gracie(5-4) by stopage in the second round of the 205 event. Bastress improves his record to 4-1 pro and 4-0 am. Bastress's only loss was to the number 1 prospect IMO Tim Williams.
Tim Carpenter was impressive as well koing Ryan Contaldi in the first round to improve to 8-1 as a pro.