Unsigned Heavyweights - Thread Four

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

What is it with all these bigger Chinese fighters coming out of nowhere, maybe we will get a MMA Yao Ming lol

There was a relatively healthy regional scene for bigger Chinese fighters prior to COVID, thats one of the reasons Mingyang Zhang was able to accrue so much professional experience as a teenager. Since 2021 its been rare to see new HW/LHW/MWs with professional aspirations pop up though it does happen time to time.

Ce Liu is another HW/LHW from China that I have kept my eye on but he seems to be focused on kickboxing at the moment.

 

[Paul L]

Two US based heavies that may make it to DWCS in 2025 made their pro debuts recently.

The first is Adrian Palmore and the second is Devon Simons.

They are still very early in their careers, and both are very different fighters. Palmore has heavy hands and a wild striking style, while Simons is more technical with strong cardio.

The North American heavyweight scene has been mined extensively, but we may see some interesting new faces next year.

 

[Paul L]

Two more US based heavies that may be under consideration for DWCS this year. Both have some pretty big flaws, but it's HW, so that's normal for the division.

First, Bailey Schoenfelder who just finished Greg Velasco to win the CFFC championship. My one concern is he weighs in at 215-225, so he may be better suited for LHW.

Second, Cameron Kinzig who was suppose to fight Denzel Freeman. Kinzig leaves his chin out, but his height and long leg reach give him some interesting tools in fights.

I'd say both are DWCS ready at this point, as there's not much competition on the regional scene to sustain long stints outside of major promotions for heavies.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Two more US based heavies that may be under consideration for DWCS this year. Both have some pretty big flaws, but it's HW, so that's normal for the division.

First, Bailey Schoenfelder who just finished Greg Velasco to win the CFFC championship. My one concern is he weighs in at 215-225, so he may be better suited for LHW.

Second, Cameron Kinzig who was suppose to fight Denzel Freeman. Kinzig leaves his chin out, but his height and long leg reach give him some interesting tools in fights.

I'd say both are DWCS ready at this point, as there's not much competition on the regional scene to sustain long stints outside of major promotions for heavies.

Agree they'll probably look at both, but I do think Schoenfelder belongs at LHW yeah.

 

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

Tagir Abdullabekov
PRO MMA RECORD
5-0
Abdullabekov is a 27 year old fighter on a five fight win streak. He is a naturally gifted athlete who can comfortably pick opponents apart on the feet or utilize his grappling to neutralize the offense of opponents. He is very much still a developing fighter but his already tremendously high fight-iq, five fights into his professional career, leads me to believe he could excel at the highest level.
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[ryanrandy]

Yeah I think those three could get on. They might end up giving Velasco another chance if he wins one before the series.

Possibly Hugo Cunha and Terrance Jean-Jacques?

Maybe a couple of ex Bellator guys could get a go if they win on the regionals like Said Sowma.

Maybe that Eduardo Perez guy fromTUF?

Terrance Jean-Jacques just lost a few months ago probably count him out. We live in the same city and he has been arrested for domestic violence so maybe Dana will give him a shot.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Terrance Jean-Jacques just got lost a few months ago probably count him out. We live in the same city and he has been arrested for domestic violence so maybe Dana will give him a shot.

Ah, the Cody East route.

 

[ryanrandy]

Ah, the Cody East route.

This exactly. It would probably go the same way also as he isn't very good at all.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

This exactly. It would probably go the same way also as he isn't very good at all.

Yeah, it's just Heavyweight I guess. Finding good regional heavyweights is such a chore

 

[Deleted member 513083]

Terrance Jean-Jacques just lost a few months ago probably count him out. We live in the same city and he has been arrested for domestic violence so maybe Dana will give him a shot.

And the guy he lost to, lost to Phillipe Lins years ago and is 37.
Its so over for HW enjoyers.

 

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

Petera Wilson
PRO MMA RECORD
3-0-0
Wilson is a 26 year old fighter on an eight fight win streak having not lost since his amateur debut four years ago. He is a naturally gifted athlete who can comfortably pick opponents apart on the feet as well as nullify them with his ground game. He is very much still a developing fighter but his consistently good in fight decision-making leads me to believe he could have a very high ceiling at the highest level.
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Update: Took his first professional loss after death gassing against an enormous very durable opponent. He chased the finish in the first round, appeared close at times, but ultimately was not able to secure it despite his best efforts. Imo this is just a bump in the road and will serve him well in the future when he has to calculate in-fight whether the energy expenditure required for a finish is worth spending.

Guilherme Pat
PRO MMA RECORD
3-0-0
I knew from Pat's previous fights that he was athletic and powerful but that is not uncommon to see, even at HW, on the Brazilian regional scene in 2023. In his latest fight Pat used his long frame to pick apart a more experienced opponent, that he was giving up a lot of mass to, with a diverse striking attack. I haven't seen Pat grapple but he looks promising for a fighter who turned professional five months ago.
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Update: Signed with Iridium and seems DWCS bound. Skillswise Pat is definitely UFC ready imo, his striking is very good for a HW and his grappling is more than serviceable, but due to inexperience his MMA game can appear at times a bit disjointed; he has not yet nailed down the mixing of the martial arts. That will come with more experience so he is well on his way.

Talisson Teixeira
PRO MMA RECORD
3-0-0
Talisson is a 23 year old 6"8 BJJ black belt who has been rounding out his striking skills over the past few years and in the process become a dangerous striker with his naturally heavy hands. He has also been putting on the size necessary to compete at the highest level of the sport. I don't think it will be long before this kid is fighting in a major promotion and see him having a very high ceiling.




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Update: He is fighting Mattheus Fonseca on May 3rd at LFA183. If he wins the fight, which I expect him too, a step up in competition is definitely warranted. Maybe the LFA puts the HW belt on the line the next time they visit Brazil and he fights current champion Hugo Cunha?

 

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

Talisson Teixeira
PRO MMA RECORD
3-0-0
Talisson is a 23 year old 6"8 BJJ black belt who has been rounding out his striking skills over the past few years and in the process become a dangerous striker with his naturally heavy hands. He has also been putting on the size necessary to compete at the highest level of the sport. I don't think it will be long before this kid is fighting in a major promotion and see him having a very high ceiling.




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Update: Talisson moved to 6-0 after knocking his opponent out in the first round.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Update: Talisson moved to 6-0 after knocking his opponent out in the first round.

Sure fire DWCS guy this year.

 

[Feniamin]

Next fight of Kharitonov, May 25 in Georgia against Marcus Vinicius


Oleinik vs. Vinicius Moreira at SFC 10, June 1

 

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

Guilherme Pat
PRO MMA RECORD
3-0-0
I knew from Pat's previous fights that he was athletic and powerful but that is not uncommon to see, even at HW, on the Brazilian regional scene in 2023. In his latest fight Pat used his long frame to pick apart a more experienced opponent, that he was giving up a lot of mass to, with a diverse striking attack. I haven't seen Pat grapple but he looks promising for a fighter who turned professional five months ago.
​

Moved to 5-0 after winning by R3 TKO on last weeks LFA card.

Pat did not look great in his most recent fight but I actually think his performance bodes well for his long term prospects because most regional HWs would not have been able to battle back late in such a cardio intensive fight and finished an opponent intent on wall-and-stalling. I would though like him to see him display more of a killer instinct the next time he fights whether regionally or in the big show which I anticipate is coming.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Moved to 5-0 after winning by R3 TKO on last weeks LFA card.

Pat did not look great in his most recent fight but I actually think his performance bodes well for his long term prospects because most regional HWs would not have been able to battle back late in such a cardio intensive fight and finished an opponent intent on wall-and-stalling. I would though like him to see him display more of a killer instinct the next time he fights whether regionally or in the big show which I anticipate is coming.

Hmmm, dunno - needing 3 rounds to finish a 4-4 guy doesn't scream strong prospect to me, but I'll reserve judgement for now.

 

[Deleted member 513083]

Moved to 5-0 after winning by R3 TKO on last weeks LFA card.

Pat did not look great in his most recent fight but I actually think his performance bodes well for his long term prospects because most regional HWs would not have been able to battle back late in such a cardio intensive fight and finished an opponent intent on wall-and-stalling. I would though like him to see him display more of a killer instinct the next time he fights whether regionally or in the big show which I anticipate is coming.

Hmmm, dunno - needing 3 rounds to finish a 4-4 guy doesn't scream strong prospect to me, but I'll reserve judgement for now.

I watched the fight live and have to say that this was probably the best 4-4 Guy I have seen in MMA so far. (I dont remember any other 4-4 fighters to be fair) The guy didnt go down and his face looked he mess, he got his nose broken in the first.

I feel Pat will have problems with more competent wrestlers but tbh he did good in getting back up every time. I think a lot of other HWs even with better records would have went down. For some reason that other guy was ready to die that day, I am kind of more impressed with the other guy than disappointed with Pats performance.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Pouya Rahmani is now 4-0, having made quick work of a grizzled veteran in Rasulov a couple weeks ago. This guy seems legit as fuck, but suspect he's like Aliakbari and ends up in ONE.

 

[Deleted member 513083]

Pouya Rahmani is now 4-0, having made quick work of a grizzled veteran in Rasulov a couple weeks ago. This guy seems legit as fuck, but suspect he's like Aliakbari and ends up in ONE.

He seems to be an insane grappler he won vs Kaynan Duarte on points and submitted Hamdy abdelwahab quickyl (Hamdy was a prospect himself not too long ago and a competent wrestler Iirc).

If this guy gets to the UFC I expect him to make top 10 easily.

 

[The_Renaissance]

He seems to be an insane grappler he won vs Kaynan Duarte on points and submitted Hamdy abdelwahab quickyl (Hamdy was a prospect himself not too long ago and a competent wrestler Iirc).

If this guy gets to the UFC I expect him to make top 10 easily.

Oh, no doubt about it - but he's apparently popped for roids and had medals stripped for Iran in the past so I have no reason to believe he's clean unfortunately, it appears to be an issue with Iranian wrestling monsters same with Aliakbari. Fully don't expect him in the UFC, probably ONE. Hamdy's UFC debut was quietly decent, but he's since been suspended for 3yrs for roiding and is suspended again now until early 2025.