Ilimbek Akylbek, Kyrgyzstan, 10-3
Pros:
-Submission threat
-Scrambles well
-Good wrestling
Cons:
-TDD needs work
-Overzealous in the grappling
-Poor fight IQ
-Weak chin
-Limited striking
Akylbek was one of the most surprising names on the cast this season. I knew who he was, but I never truly scouted him until now. He’s from Kyrgyzstan and has fought across Asia, including a stint in ONE Championship while living and training out of Thailand at Tiger Muay Thai. Last year, he moved to the United States and is now training out of Valle Flow Striking.
Even with those training environments, I still don’t see a huge leap in his development from, say, 2022 to now.
Akylbek is a high-energy wrestler and grappler. He wants to close the distance, clinch up, and look for throws. More often than not, though, he’s initiating the takedown but ends up the one landing on his back. He doesn’t consistently get to the right positions before shooting, which puts him in bad spots.
Luckily for him, he doesn’t stay comfortable on the bottom and will immediately look to scramble back up. He attacks submissions like leg locks during these scrambles and uses his hips well to create space and get back to his feet. He thrives most in chaotic grappling exchanges, where his scrambling ability can take over, and he’s more likely to win positions.
That said, he hasn’t won every scramble exchange. When he’s matched with opponents who can match his pace and physicality, he tends to fall short. Two of his losses have come via ground-and-pound when he couldn’t maintain top position.
On the feet, Akylbek is unlikely to go far in the house. He’s not comfortable at range, his output is limited, and his chin is a concern. He’ll bring pressure and pace, but without improvements in his striking and positional discipline, it’s hard to see him making a deep run.
*For my final thoughts on the cast and my predictions, click on the next page.*
