Global Watchlist: The Best MMA Prospect From Each Country

Colombia

 

I can’t say I’m super high on this guy but Jhon Rodriguez Tacha (13-3) is worth giving a mention. He’s the current Empire MMA bantamweight champion and a former featherweight champ for another promotion. His last two losses come to Micaias Urena and Vinicius Pires so no shame there. Tacha is pretty well versed; 4-0 to the decision and stoppages via TKO and submission. Tacha strikes go wrestler well. He’s a solid wrestler and can chain together attempts. He’s pretty effective on top with his GnP. At 29 he’s gonna level up quite significantly if he’s gonna go somewhere but he very well could.

 

Egypt

 

What’s had Fathy Elsony (1-0) almost slip right by me is his absence in the cage. He hasn’t fought in over a year and is only 1-0 as a pro. He was scheduled to fight in 2025 but it didn’t happen. He’s only 26 so he has time to make some waves especially at middleweight or light-heavyweight. Elsony grew up wrestling. He was a three-time African Greco-Roman and a world champion while being on the National team for seven years. His pro debut saw his striking play out. He fought pretty clean and was sharp throughout. The fight was stopped by leg kicks which is nice from a wrestler.

 

Iran

A realistic option for a real prospect from Iran would be Amir Alipour (6-1). Alipour has fought nearly his entire career for UAE Warriors being 4-0 for the promotion. He wasn’t really known until last year when he knocked out Abdelkrim Zouad. That was one of the knockouts of the year. Alipour is a wrecking ball of a fighter. He’s not technical at all but is explosive and heavy handed. He fights in burst and super dangerous when he goes forward. He’s so loaded up all the time that he’s hard to take down and his cardio has gotten better. Not entirely sold but he reps Iran well.

 

Vietnam

 

An Tuan Ho (7-2) may be 1-2 in his last three but is still Vietnam’s best option. His two losses come to Lone’er Kavanagh and Eduardo Chapolin and both are legit. The unfortunate thing is both those losses came on the contender series. Ho is still 25 and from what he showed in the Chapolin fight is that he’s very talented but too raw. With more time on the regional scene like in LFA he’s gonna get the right fights and develop the way he should be.