5th Round.co.uk Prospect Watch 2014

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January 9, 2014 by JJ Saddington

The following article was written for 5thround.co.uk. Each writer was given specific guidelines and criteria to meet.

The term ‘prospect’ is debatable and open to interpretation. The criteria for the following is anyone who has yet to fight in the UFC or Bellator (not including unranked UFC prospect), although this will be ignored by some. Also they can be considered relatively young in their MMA career. Though some of the names chosen may be familiar, they have the potential to go much further in 2014.

WMMA

With WMMA still being in its infancy, anyone fighting outside of the top 10-15 names can legitimately be considered a prospect. With that in mind, let’s go further than ‘prospect’ and look instead for a future star of the sport. That Ronda Rousey has an expiry date in MMA is of no secret, nor is it that the future of women’s MMA within the UFC potentially hangs upon replacing her when she’s gone. That replacement could be needed sooner than expected if Rousey continues with her budding acting career. At 6-0, and with an illustrious boxing career behind her, Holly Holm could be just what the UFC is looking for. Holm could have not only the skills, but also the drawing power to maintain a 135lb division post-Rousey. With 5 of her 6 bouts ending in KO/TKO, Holm clearly has the ability on the feet, wether she has the tools to keep it there against elite level competition remains to be seen.

British

The only debate in including Joanne Calderwood was in which category – women, British or un-ranked UFC prospect. Recently signed as part of the UFC’s new strawweight division and accompanying TUF cast, Calderwood was already making something of a name for herself in both Invicta and Cage Warriors. Currently undefeated at 8-0 and coming off the back of an impressive win over previously unbeaten prospect, Katja Kankaanpää (8-1), Calderwood enters the UFC with real momentum and a genuine chance of becoming the inaugural 115lb champ. Arguably the best hope for a British champion in the UFC right now.

European

Widely considered to be one of the best grapplers in Russia and training out of Rustam Khabilov’s former fight camp (Legion Fight Club), Marat Gafurov has undeniable credentials. Undefeated at 8-0 and the current M-1 Global 145lb champ, Gafurov has been building a resume since 2010. Only having gone the distance twice, Gafurov is something of a finisher with 5 of those wins coming by way of submission. Holding a notable win over recent UFC recent UFC signing, Mairbek Taisumov (20-4), Gafurov is likely to be a part of the wave of Russian fighters making their way onto the big stages.

Rest Of The World

A rising star in the developing WSOF lightweight division, Justin Gaethje has looked phenomenal in earning a shot at being the company’s first ever 155lb champion. TKO finishes over ‘JZ’ Cavalcante, Brian Cobb and Dan Lauzon have placed Gaethje alongside Nick Newell and future opponent Lewis Gonzalez as top a lightweight prospect in the fledgling WSOF. With a perfect record of 10-0 and 7-0 as an amateur, Gaethje has yet to taste defeat and has only once gone to the judge’s scorecards. Training out of the esteemed Serra-Longo Fight Team and holding a perfect record of 8-0, Aljamain ‘The Funk’ Sterling may be one one to watch in 2014. Having racked up 7 wins in a little over a year, Sterling missed most of 2013 due to injury, returning in November to record his third consecutive rear-naked choke victory. Expect bigger and better things from him in 2014.

Unranked UFC

Two fights in the UFC, two wins, one KOTN award (on any other card he would have had two) and an almighty hype train behind him – Brandon Thatch is already knocking on the door of the top ten welterweights in the organisation. With an accumulated 3:33 inside the octagon, Thatch has torn through his first two UFC opponents with a similar ease to the nine he dispatched previously. Only having gone the distance once, Thatch is a bonafide finisher with all his wins coming within the first round. If there’s any question over Thatch, it’s his ability go the distance at the highest level – simply because it’s yet to happen. Can he go all the way? Unknown. Will he break into the top ten? Almost certainly.

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