Notes on UFC Prospects and Game Plans to Beat Them

Introduction

• Current state of UFC: many prospects appearing frequently.
• Focus on how to beat major unranked prospects, not deep rankings or deep contender series fighters.

Key Prospects and Game Plans

Shara Magomedov

• Record: 13-0
• Upcoming Fight: Scheduled against Maau in UFC Abu Dhabi.
• Pros:
  • Excellent kickboxing skills.
  • Tough and durable; can go three rounds.
  • Unstoppable on the feet against unranked fighters.
• Cons:
  • Weak takedown defense; struggled against grapplers.
  • Vulnerable against elite wrestlers.
• Game Plan:
  • Focus on wrestling.
  • Avoid striking exchanges.
  • Close the distance and engage clinch fights.

B. Nicholl

• Record: 6-0
• Pros:
  • High-level wrestling background; dangerous grappling.
  • Effective striking due to takedown threat.
• Cons:
  • Potential gas tank issues, unpredictable striking.
• Game Plan:
  • Survive early rounds; focus on takedown defense.
  • Avoid engaging early; go on the offense in the last round.

Pton Talbert

• Record: 9-0
• Pros:
  • Technical boxer, durable, smart fighter.
• Cons:
  • Struggles against pressure; has shown difficulty with grappling.
• Game Plan:
  • Strong gas tank needed; apply pressure through grappling.
  • Utilize grappling approach and avoid striking unless opening is clear.

Patty Pimblett

• Record: Undefeated in UFC.
• Pros:
  • Powerful; solid Jiu-Jitsu and Judo base.
• Cons:
  • Lacks head movement; prone to getting hit.
  • Panic takedowns after being hit.
• Game Plan:
  • Use boxing to outstrike him.
  • Maintain pressure and avoid the clinch.

MC Ori

• Record: 13-1
• Pros:
  • Relentless grappling pace; good ground game.
• Cons:
  • Questionable gas tank; hittable on feet.
• Game Plan:
  • Let him rack up points early.
  • Counterattack in later rounds; focus on takedown defense.

Joe Piper

• Record: 13-3
• Pros:
  • Extremely powerful; technical striker.
• Cons:
  • Dismissive of opponents; lacks defensive skills.
• Game Plan:
  • Be extremely defensive in the first round.
  • Keep technical and outlast him.

Carlos Oberg

• Record: Developing Profile.
• Pros:
  • Well-rounded; accurate strikes.
• Cons:
  • Hittable; questionable gas tank.
• Game Plan:
  • Push output in later rounds; maintain technical striking.

Jean Silva

• Pros:
  • Explosive power; strong striking.
• Cons:
  • Vulnerable to elite wrestling.
• Game Plan:
  • Apply pressure and counter with grappling.
  • Avoid striking exchanges without preparation.

Roman Kopilov

• Record: Recent performance noted.
• Pros:
  • Excellent striking; improving wrestling skills.
• Cons:
  • Lack of ground game; tires easily in round 2.
• Game Plan:
  • Attack body early; mix grappling in rounds 2 and 3.

Chase Hooper

• Record: 14-3
• Pros:
  • Good grappling; powerful takedowns.
• Cons:
  • Slow on feet; hittable.
• Game Plan:
  • Pressure him; land strikes on the feet.
  • Avoid grappling exchanges where he's beneficial.

Steve Garcia

• Record: 16-5, four-fight winning streak.
• Pros:
  • Wild and dangerous boxing.
• Cons:
  • Not technical; dirty fighting style.
• Game Plan:
  • Stay technical; mix in wrestling effectively.

Yander Brito

• Record: 17-3
• Pros:
  • Powerful striker; well-rounded skillset.
• Cons:
  • Solid grapplers can keep him down; negative fight IQ.
• Game Plan:
  • Check leg kicks; control and hold against the cage.

Luro Murphy

• Record: 14-0
• Pros:
  • Good wrestling; technical striker.
• Cons:
  • Pillow fists; lacks takedown defense.
• Game Plan:
  • Don’t let him dictate the fight; mix grappling to tire him.

Wildo Costa

• Record: 12-1
• Pros:
  • Good grappler; well-rounded skills.
• Cons:
  • Slow pace; unathletic.
• Game Plan:
  • Be athletic; pick apart from range and maintain distance.

Michael Morales

• Record: 16-0
• Pros:
• Super athletic; crafty striker.
• Cons:
• Tends to rely on boxing; struggles against grapplers.
• Game Plan:
• Make it an ugly fight; incorporate clinch work and takedowns.

Conclusion

• Many prospects in UFC with diverse skillsets.
• Applying the right game plan is crucial for defeating these rising stars.