August was another great month full of solid regional matchups. There were various promotions putting on quality cards with several prospects in the spotlight. Shawn Bitter and I decided to scout the world, watch all the top prospects that competed last month, and came up with four fighters who are “Ready 4 The Call”.
We will name two prospects each who we think are ready to make it to the big show; we are only considering the UFC and Bellator for them to go to.
Shawn Bitter’s Choices
Sharaputdin Magomedov
Sharaputdin Magomedov is one of the most electrifying prospects today, and he keeps knocking down guys lined up in front of him. After beating regional veteran Sergei Martynov last month, Magomedov has now beaten guys with a combined record of 88-46. Although he hasn’t fought anyone notable, he’s been taking credible fights and fighting often… Outside of MMA, he was a Eurasia champion in Burmese boxing, 18-2 in K1, and a Russian muay thai champion.
Magomedov has been in MMA since 2017, but started off fighting in smaller shows in China. In 2019, he captured a victory over current UFC fighter Blood Diamond in kickboxing. It wasn’t until last year when he started scoring highlight-reel knockouts in Russia for AMC Fight Nights that he started to get some notice. No matter where Magomed goes, he will excel. But Bellator is the likely destination. It is reported he will fight AMC middleweight champion Vladimir Mineev (16-1-1). It’s possible Magomedov gets picked up before that fight, but if not – it’s really gonna propel him to greater heights.
Carlos Mota
Everybody and their mama wants to see Carlos Mota in the UFC. The last few years have been huge for him… After winning two fights in Bellator once he signed in 2019, he got a title shot against the champ Charles Johnson. In the fight, Mota fell short, but it was an absolute classic in LFA. After that, Mota rebounded and got another chance at LFA gold for the vacant title.
Mota smoked the talented Russian, Rizvan Abuev, to earn that LFA flyweight title last month. He is now 8-1, and at his prime at just 27-years-old. The UFC flyweight division is always in need of some new blood and Mota is 100% deserving of a roster spot. Exciting, marketable, and talented – it’s all there for the Brazilian…
Katie Vega’s Choices
Jose Perez
It seems like Jose Perez has been flying under the radar a bit… But that all stopped after beating Paul Capaldo back in January. Recently, he captured the interim CFFC featherweight title at CFFC 112 in a night full of raw emotions. Perez has been derailing hype trains on the regional scene, and fighting the tough guys knowing it’s going to prepare him well to one day stay in the UFC.
Perez is durable as hell, has a killer ground game, and the skills on the mic to hang with the best of them. He also has the right mentality that most fighters lack today, and it will certainly pay off soon enough. There’s no telling where he’ll go next, but he should without a doubt be getting the call-up sooner than later. Now 7-1 as a pro, Perez will fit in anywhere he goes. But let’s be honest, the UFC is where he belongs.
Joe Gianetti
I still don’t understand how the runner up from TUF 27 never got a contract. What’s even crazier is that he has been fighting solid competition under multiple promotions since his time on the show and still hasn’t gotten the call up. But much respect to Joe Gianetti who continues to prove his worth fighting whoever Cage Titans puts in front of him. Since his short stint on LFA, Gianetti has captured the Cage Titans lightweight title and amounting four finishes.
Most recently, he won the vacant welterweight title, cementing himself as a Champ Champ on the New England regional scene. What could possibly be next? It’s clear he’s been holding out for the UFC call up, and he deserves it. Especially if they need someone to fight Paddy Pimblett next since the bad blood between the two is there. But if the disrespect continues, the “Skelator” should go and chase the bag over at Bellator. He’s 27 years old and has a 13-4-1 record. There is no better time than now…
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LFG JOE JOE!!! Skelator Army!!!!!!!!