Have to have fought in last 3 years to be ranked.
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1
- Islam Makhachev
- 25-1-0
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1991 - Russia - UFC Champion
Mixes the Khabib wrestling with good pressure striking, ability to drop people on the feet before getting into the wrestling adds another dimension to his game. Had to dig deep to pull the win out the first time against Volk so showed he can do that too.
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2
- Arman Tsarukyan
- "Ahalkalakets"
- 22-3-0
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1996 - Armenia - UFC
Very hard working and seems to be consistently improving at a rapid rate of development. Seems to have all the intangibles you want in a fighter, chin is there, desire to fight out of deep subs, great cardio and workrate. Add that in to really good grappling and wrestling and vastly improved striking and you've got yourself a problem.
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3
- Eduard Vartanyan
- "Lionheart"
- 25-4-0
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1991 - Russia - Nashe Delo
Great stand up fighter with insane cardio who's ridiculously hard to keep down. The best in the world at get-ups and seperations, which allows him to be probably the best anti Dagi wrestling style fighter in the world. Guys can't stand with him, try to wrestle with him, get worn out trying and getting knocked out. If you're a good striker, then he can wrestle offensively himself so he'll just go that route.
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4
- Charles Oliveira
- "do Bronx"
- 34-10-0, 1 NC
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1989 - Brazil - UFC
Former UFC champ still has it for me. Striking very improved offensively, sits down on punches well and connects hard. Defence not quite to the same standard and can be tagged. One of the most ruthless sub artists ever on the ground, dangerous guard but that does seem to be able to be negated to an extent by people who are really solid on top although even then he tends to have his highly threatening moments.
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5
- Max Holloway
- "Blessed"
- 26-7-0
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1991 - USA - UFC
Looked superb in step up to 155. Looks unstoppable in general against anyone not called Alex Volkanovski. Just insane levels of output and with accurate striking it's so hard to keep up with. Obviously the master of the point to the ground 10 second war. Not sure if he's going to fight much at 155 going forward but he seems to have a future at the top end of the division if he wants it.
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6
- Justin Gaethje
- "The Highlight"
- 25-5-0
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1988 - USA - UFC
Former interim UFC champ, lost BMF title to Max in an absolute war. Found the pace and volume of Max difficult to deal with, tends to fair better in fights where he gets to set the pace. Obviously great chin, great leg kicks and striking in general. Loads of pressure and still going to be a hard fight for most people. Bad KO against Max, don't know if his style will start to catch up with him soon.
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7
- Dustin Poirier
- "The Diamond"
- 30-8-0, 1 NC
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1989 - USA - UFC
Showed he's still got it by stopping the charge of BSD towards the top of the division. Maybe not quite what he used to be but not far off, the boxing remains great, the power is still there and the ability to dig deep and win a war is still there.
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8
- Beneil Dariush
- "Benny"
- 22-6-1
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1989 - Iran - UFC
Couple of tough losses by finish recently but against elite guys at the weight. Impressive complete shutting down of Gamrot before that. BJJ is some of the best in the division and striking is effective and powerful even if it looks awkward.
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9
- Mateusz Gamrot
- "Gamer"
- 24-2-0, 1 NC
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1990 - Poland - UFC
Had a little more trouble than I thought he would against RDA but found a way to win as usual. Pushes a pace that's more or less unmatched in the division and if he can't get someone down early he can just keep shooting until he does. Boxing on the feet is fine too, although I'm not sure he trusts in it much against the real top strikers in the division.
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10
- Alexander Shabliy
- "Peresvet"
- 24-3-0
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1993 - Russia - Bellator
Really good all round fighter having issues with PFL not wanting to offer him a million for a fight that was previously agreed. Very well rounded, sharp and accurate on the feet, good kicks to the body, with good offensive wrestling, top control and get ups.
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11
- Rafael Fiziev
- "Ataman" | 12-3-0
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1993 - Azerbaijan - UFC
Coming off a bad injury now so we'll have to see how he returns. Outstanding striker and very dangerous early and can either get a KO or can get ahead on points. Can slow a bit late in fights and let people back into things.
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12
- Christian Lee
- "The Warrior" | 17-4-0
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1988 - USA - ONE Championship Champion
Hopefully when he returns Christian sticks at this weight rather than keep trying to fight at Welterweight. Dude is ridiculously tough, does get chinned now and again but excellent at avoiding being finished when hurt and working his way back into fights and ultimately taking over. Decent pop on feet and really good BJJ when he can get on top.
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13
- Benoit Saint-Denis
- "God of War" | 13-2-0, 1 NC
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1995 - France - UFC
Brutal offence both in striking and grappling, Sets a really fast pace and basically tries to outlast the other dude. Didn't work against Poirier so might have to re-assess it against really high level guys but he's creamed some other good fighters so far with it.
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14
- Michael Chandler
- "Iron" | 23-8-0
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1986 - USA - UFC
Decided to wait an eternity to fight Conor, is getting up there in years and we'll have to see how he looks. Still likely to be physically imposing, explosive and hard hitting with a penchant for getting chinned sometimes.
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15
- Natan Schulte
- "Russo" | 25-5-1
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1992 - Brazil - PFL?
Not sure if he's actually with PFL anymore after the debacle of the Manfio fight and subsequent removal from the season. Either way Natan has a good shout to be the best lightweight there if he's actually still with them. When he goes into Gaethje mode and pressures and tries to damage and leg kick he's fine, but when he mixes in his excellent judo and works to get to top position he's really good. Excellent chin allows him to come forward at guys.
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16
- Renato Moicano
- "Money Moicano" | 19-5-1
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1989 - Brazil - UFC
One of the better grapplers in the division. Not an amazing wrestler but manages to find ways to get guys to the mat. Really good back taker and aggressively attacks subs but usually maintains positional control when doing so. Offensive striking kind of serviceable but wants to grapple, can be caught on the feet but very tough, got to take him out properly to get him to stop.
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17
- AJ McKee Jr.
- "Mercenary" | 22-1-0
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1995 - USA - Bellator
Unbeaten at 155 but had a little more trouble with the wrestling of Outlaw than I was hoping. Dangerous from the bottom so not always an issue if he gets taken down. Striking is good enough to hang with most people although the subs are the outstanding part of his game.
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18
- Joel Alvarez
- "El Fenomeno" | 20-3-0
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1993 - Spain - UFC
Very big for the weight class, very good grappler and improving striker who's hugely dangerous with elbows. Beaten some very good fighters and only real recent blemish is getting beaten up by Arman but that would happen to just about anyone in the division.
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19
- Rafael dos Anjos
- 32-16-0
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1984 - Brazil - UFC
Still competitive when competes at this weight despite his advancing years. Wrestling works well at this weight, able to get good top control, hard for guys to take down and still has a solid chin and reasonable volume and pop on his punches.
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20
- Dan Hooker
- "The Hangman" | 23-12-0
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1990 - New Zealand - UFC
Just bleed aficionado who will go to war with anyone. Gets cracked but always fights through it and comes at guys aggressively. Sub offence and defence both good, pretty hard to take down and can wrestle offensively too.
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21
- Jalin Turner
- "The Tarantula" | 14-8-0
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1995 - USA - UFC
Huge for the weight class, uses length well and gets concussive power on the end of long punches. Generally good killer instinct when gets someone hurt. Height can make him quite tough to take down but a little prone to getting stuck on the bottom against really good top grapplers.
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22
- Daud Shaikhaev
- 16-4-0
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1995ish - Russia - ACA
Really good offensive wrestler with great cardio who seems able to out hustle and out last just about everyone. Able to do it to guys who are good wrestlers themselves. Great top control and very hard to get off once he's on top.
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23
- Bobby Green
- "King" | 32-15-1, 1 NC
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1986 - USA - UFC
Very experienced and awkward to fight. Fast as ****, throws from the waist which combined with the speed makes it hard to read. Chin open but some of the best torso movement in the game which makes him tough to catch clean. Good takedown defence, a very tough opponent for anyone who's not at the very top level. Late 30's so speed could drop off at any time and probably likely to fall off quickly once that goes.
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24
- Grant Dawson
- "KGD" | 20-2-1
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1994 - USA - UFC
Was on a hell of a run which then got completely derailed by one shot from Bobby Green. I have to think he'll get back on the bike quickly and show that was more of a fluke. Really good offensive grappler, excels at taking the back and generally grinding dudes out of there. Might be chinny, might have been a one off, time will tell.
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25
- Drakkar Klose
- 14-2-1
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1988 - USA - UFC
Underrated dude generally but finally seems to be getting some recognition now. Activity is the only thing you can really hold against him, he's been competitive with the top level guys he's been with and comfortably beaten the guys he should be beating. Strong, good wrestler, solid striking, good gas tank. Tough matchup.
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26
- Thiago Moisés
- 18-7-0
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1995 - Brazil - UFC
Just a solid dude. Good everywhere, especially good in the BJJ where his back takes really shine. Consistent and only seems to come unstuck against competition at the top end of the division.
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27
- Alexander Matmuratov
- 16-6-0
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1989 - Russia - ACA
Very solid dude, short and stocky but very quick and with good boxing combos, can mix some nice spin kicks to the body in there well. Seems more comfortable since moving up to 155 with his only loss being to a very good Yusuf Raisov with him looking great against everyone else.
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28
- Drew Dober
- 27-13-0, 1 NC
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1988 - USA - UFC
Kind of settled into role as a higher level gatekeeper. Initially I wouldn't have thought he'd be able to stay in the UFC this long. Good chin and cracks hard which is a surprisingly rare combo in this sport. Solid defensive BJJ and hard to put away. Definitely a good litmus test.
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29
- Matt Frevola
- "The Steamrolla" | 11-4-1
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1990 - USA - UFC
My man loves trying to get people to get his chant going and it's not going to work outside his family and friends. Fighting wise he's good and hard hitting but a little defensively careless and as such is must see viewing as he can kill someone or die at any moment.
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30
- Ismael Bonfim
- "Marreta" | 19-4-0
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1995 - Brazil - UFC
Really good volume striker with crisp technical boxing and explosive flying knees, hard to take and hold down and has decent quality BJJ. Loss to BSD doesn't look bad at all in retrospect.
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31
- Losene Keita
- "Black Panther" | 12-1-0
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1997 - Guinea - Oktagon
Fighting up at 155 for the grand prix for a bit of prize money this year but makes 145 easily and that's probably his best weight. Spectacularly talented fighter. Really good power, one shots guys sometimes but more prone to just beating them up over the course of a fight. Insane pressure, just comes forward with offensive variety and volume. Great sprawl to stop guys taking him down to stop that. Also catches seemingly every body kick people throw at him. Good offensive wrestling if he decides he wants to use that too. Great cardio and can keep the onslaught up as long as he needs to, good fight IQ to not dive in when he needs to.
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32
- Elves Brener
- 16-3-0
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1997 - Brazil - UFC
Credit where it's due, this dude keeps beating people I think he has no business beating. I would never in a million years have picked him to beat Guram. Dude is just an absolute dog, seems to love nothing more than getting absolutely covered in blood while opponents stare in disbelief as he still comes at them. Good power on the feet and can put people out there, does end up in bad positions but just doesn't ******* give up.
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33
- Patricky Pitbull
- 25-13-0
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1986 - Brazil - PFL
Tournament format probably a bad idea for him at his age. Still a solid dude with good accuracy and power and good leg kicks. Got drowned in volume against Collard but was doing fine against him early. Still good enough to give a lot of people trouble.
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34
- Archie Colgan
- "King" | 9-0-0
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1995 - USA - Bellator
Really good wrestler who's very athletic and has some power on the feet. Dominating everyone so far with a wrestling based and positional holding approach. Very good cardio and seems able to push a high pace for a full fight. Hasn't really run into much resistance yet so we'll have to see what occurs when that happens but looking like a great prospect at the moment.
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35
- Ignacio Bahamondes
- "La Jaula" | 15-5-0
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1997 - Chile - UFC
Seems to have somewhat of an issue with strikers who are very technically sound and find life a breeze against anyone else. Long, rangy, likes to spin and throw kind of unorthodox stuff which might be why he finds himself unable to get much off against guys who are really fundamentally sound on the feet. Nice long arms to wrap up chokes too
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36
- Ali Abdulkhalikov
- 14-2-0
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1993 - Russia - ACA
Very good technical striker who likes space on the outside to work with kicks. Seems to have some issue with strong top grapplers having had issues with Kawajiri and Tuturauli in the past but seems hard to beat in a striking affair.
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37
- Charlie Campbell
- "The Cannibal" | 9-2-0
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1995 - USA - UFC
Technically good striker and grappler, bit of a tendency to get wild and has been caught exchanging in the past but seemed to fight with a greater level of control in the Peek fight. Big for the division, good pop on long punches.
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38
- Jim Miller
- "A-10" | 37-18-0, 1 NC
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1983 - USA - UFC
Green fight kind of showed that there's a difference between modern day Jim and the top end of the division. Good guy to seperate the regional fighters in the UFC from the actual UFC level ones. Tough as always even if he's taken a lot of damage over his career. Reasonable power, good finishing instincts and good grappler. A little slow compared to younger strikers on the feet, always going to stay in there and keep trying.
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39
- Christos Giagos
- "The Spartan" | 20-12-0
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1990 - USA - UFC
Solid and experienced, kind of a lower levels of the division gatekeeper. Usually gets finished by prospects but generally reliable to fight to his level and hold off people he should be beating.
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40
- Herbert Batista
- "Matagal" | 17-6-1
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1991 - Brazil - ACA
Kind of the poor man's version of his brother but still solid enough. Good enough hands and takedown defence to hold off mid level guys but as soon as he runs into someone with really good wrestling or striking towards the top half of the division in ACA he tends to lose.
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41
- Nikita Kulshin
- 6-0-0
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2000 - Russia - LFA
Former IMMAF junior champion who moved to Kill Cliff after a while as a pro to try and make it in the US promotions rather than stay at home in Russia. Came through a tough test against Gunnison in his first real step up but made to work for it. Pretty fundamentally sound dude who's got a solid double leg against the cage, some power in his hands. Would like to get more finishes but probably close to a contender series fight.
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42
- Cedric Gunnison
- "The Gunman" | 7-3-0
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1994 - USA - LFA
Former CFFC champ is a lot like a lightweight version of Charles Johnson. Fights at a good pace and has a lot of cardio to come on strong late. Good range strikes, really good with kicks and likes to throw nice stabbing ones to the leg and the body. A guy who I think would do okay in the lower ranks of the UFC.
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43
- Michal Figlak
- "Mad Dog" | 8-2-0
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1996 - Poland - UFC
Unlucky to lose the Hubbard fight, good pressure boxer but a bit limited in his offence, mainly just basic punches and leg kicks but he's good at them and good at walking dudes down to land them. Wrestling isn't that effective against actual wrestlers, ends up on his back a bit but does commit to getting up quickly.
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44
- Emmanuel Sanchez
- "El Matador" | 21-9-0
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1990 - USA - APFC
Former top Bellator featherweight hit a bit of a skid and didn't get picked up when PFL bought the promotion. Still wasn't getting finished but has been in a lot of wars over the years and doesn't seem to be able to fight at the same pace that he used to be. Picked up a win over a decent Daniel Salas since leaving so maybe there's hope he's not completely done yet though.
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45
- Austin Hubbard
- "Thud" | 16-7-0
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1991 - USA - UFC
Not sure he actually won the Figlak fight but Austin is a tough dude with good cardio who will make people have to work very hard to beat him. Not really outstanding anywhere but pushes a pace and can do everything well enough to make it competitive.
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46
- Maheshate Hayisaer
- 10-3-0
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1999 - China - UFC
Now training in the US at Fight Ready although I didn't really see massive improvements against Moggly. He's lanky and had good offence anyway, good long strikes and uses knees well, just likes getting punched in the face, but does have a solid chin.
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47
- Trevor Peek
- 9-2-0, 1 NC
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1995 - USA - UFC
Wild, strong, good chin, just not very good technically. Did show he could wrestle a bit against Yahya but pretty awful opponent. Once he fights someone who can handle his intensity, his wild style of unorthodox bar fights just doesn't seem to work. Better fighters will just deal with it, tag him up and take him down.
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48
- Kaynan Kruschewsky
- "Bahia" | 15-2-0, 1 NC
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1991 - Brazil - UFC
Aggressive and has some pop but not as good as record suggest he should be. Has a no contest on his record against Damien Lapilus which was a very clear loss. Maybe a little bit chinny but did get cracked hard by Brener. Feels like at UFC level he'll put **** guys out but probably get put out himself by anyone decent by the standards there.
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49
- Nariman Abbasov
- "Bayraktar" | 29-5-0
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1994 - Azerbaijan - Naiza FC
Tough all action brawler but getting a bit exposed when he fights more technical strikers like Bonfim and Abdulkhalikov. Struggled a little bit putting a way a random dude post contender series appearance too. If he can lure his opponent into a brawl he usually does well though.
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50
- Gabriel Benítez
- "Moggly" | 23-12-0
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1988 - Mexico - UFC
Was a good featherweight back in the day but pretty well out of his prime now. Dude is still tough and will throw down with guys, but slightly undersized compared to most strikers at the weight and isn't as quick as he used to be.
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51
- Chris Padilla
- "Taco" | 14-6-0
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1995 - USA - UFC
Wasn't expecting this dude to get a win in his UFC debut but he proved me wrong. Has a pretty explosive double leg and took advantage of bad get ups to sink a choke. Took a lot of leg kicks on the feet which could be a problem in future.
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52
- Pieter Buist
- "The Archangel" | 18-8-0
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1988 - Netherlands - Levels Fight League
Decent Dutch style kickboxer with a good high kick, doesn't have a lot of power on his punches but technically fine. Not very good at staying off the cage when people try to pressure him for clinches. TDD and get ups both suck, tries to engage in BJJ from the bottom. Does have some sneaky chokes for low level guys who try and shoot too much on him but doesn't work on good level guys.
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53
- James Llontop
- "Goku" | 14-3-0
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1999 - Peru - UFC
Badly exposed in his UFC debut and really needs to go away and work on his get ups. Not that mad about his takedown defence as Padilla had a decent double leg, but he kept rushing up, ended up giving his back and then had awful choke defence. Good leg kicks and decent pressure boxing and still young so maybe he can turn it around, but not promising.
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54
- Daniel Salas
- "El Cazador" | 20-8-1
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1988 - Mexico - Budo Sento Champion
Pretty solid Mexican journeyman. Pretty top tier for that regional scene and tends to give a reasonably good account of himself when he fights in the US or Japan. Probably never going to quite make UFC quality but consistent fighter.
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55
- Jan Quaeyhaegens
- "Q-Bomb" | 12-5-0
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1992 - Belgium - Cage Warriors
Decent grappler, very active throwing up subs from bottom, decent triangle but risks getting passed off it a lot. Good at holding back and keeping position from there. Does take some risks when could hold position.
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56
- Dylan Mantello
- "The Quiet Man" | 8-3-0
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1992 - USA - CFFC
Decent regional guy who trains at Serra Longo. Lacks the athleticism to make it to the big leagues but if he picks up wins against carefully picked opposition he might get a late notice callup one day with his connections.
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57
- Miguelito Grijalva
- "El Chévere" | 9-0-0
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2001 - Ecuador - Samurai Fight House
Kind of a sloppy brawler, not sure how seriously he takes his career. Took his last fight at 170 for some reason and looked like a fat dad at the beach, if he's in shape he's probably a bantamweight. Good chin, keeps coming forward and throwing, does do damage with wild hooks. When he fought at 145 he could push a real pace too, hopefully we get that version back.
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58
- Johnny Nuñez
- "Johnny Boy" | 7-3-0
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1985 - USA - ONE Championship
Miesha Tate's bloke is a pretty solid wrestler but doesn't have much else going for him really. Should be expected to beat guys with no takedown defence, get ups or bottom game though.
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59
- Denis Frimpong
- "The Menace" | 2-2-0
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1994 - Ireland - Oktagon
Decent striker, nice high kick which he times pretty well and fairly sharp hands. Takedown defence pretty **** and get ups not great, can be pushed back into the cage pretty easily.
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60
- Callum Mullen
- 6-3-0, 1 NC
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1999ish - England - Oktagon
Pretty limited, seems quite tough, likes to try and get on top and wrestle but takedowns not great and doesn't really get much damage off on top. Seems like he's a good guy to get some time in the cage against for prospects.
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61
- Jean Do Santos
- "The Black Panther" | 7-0-0
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2003ish - Benin - Ares
Kind of spazzy but dude has heart, seems to be learning on the job and got stuck in a lot of deep subs against Baillot but was able to gut through them and put a pace on a very gassy opponent to get him out of there.
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62
- Konstantinos Ntelis
- "The Gambler" | 8-3-0
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2001 - Greece - Cage Warriors
Struggled in step up to high level Euro regional competition. Did okay in the guard of Q-Bomb early on, but once he ended up on his back he couldn't do much except constantly give his back and then mount over and over.
My Summary