FloCombat Prospect Rankings - December 2017
FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Light Heavyweight - December 2...
FloCombat ranks the top 20 North American light heavyweight MMA prospects for December 2017.
Rankings based off the following....
- North American fighters only. For example, Thiago Moises wouldn't qualify for these rankings despite training in the U.S.
- No fighters that have fought for or who are set to fight for the UFC.
- Fighters competing on Dana White's Contender Series included.
- No long-term Bellator fighters or champions. Exceptions for some preliminary fighters.
- All fighters aged 30 and under.
- Rankings based off age, record, and level of competition.
December Notes
- Ryan Spann enters the Top 5
- Previously unranked Mitchell Sipe enters the #17 spot
| RANK | NAME | AGE | RECORD | COUNTRY | NEXT FIGHT | PREVIOUS RANKING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smealinho Rama | 25 | 10-3 | CANADA | 1 | |
| 2 | Kyle Noblitt | 27 | 9-0 | USA | 2 | |
| 3 | Alonzo Menifield | 29 | 4-0 | USA | Fights Dec. 8 vs. Otavio Lacerda | 3 |
| 4 | Cameron Olson | 27 | 8-3 NC | USA | Fights Dec. 15 vs. Jaquis Williams | 4 |
| 5 | Ryan Spann | 25 | 12-5 | USA | 10 | |
| 6 | Mo De'Reese | 29 | 5-0 | USA | 5 | |
| 7 | Trevor Carlson | 29 | 11-3 | USA | 8 | |
| 8 | Jordan Wright | 29 | 8-0 | USA | 9 | |
| 9 | Marc-André Barriault | 27 | 8-1 | CANADA | Fights Dec. 8 vs. Strahinja Gavrilovic | 11 |
| 10 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 25 | 3-0 | USA | 13 | |
| 11 | Alton Cunningham | 24 | 3-0 | USA | Fights Dec. 15 vs. Dominic Garcia | 14 |
| 12 | Dylan Potter | 22 | 5-3 | USA | 15 | |
| 13 | Myron Dennis | 28 | 15-7 | USA | 12 | |
| 14 | Travis Davis | 30 | 5-1 | USA | 16 | |
| 15 | Jesse Murray | 24 | 5-2 | USA | Fights Oct. 28 vs. Jason Butcher | 17 |
| 16 | Derrick Brown | 27 | 7-5 | USA | 6 | |
| 17 | Mitchell Sipe | 21 | 3-0 | USA | NR | |
| 18 | Dashawn Boatwright | 29 | 3-0 | USA | Fights Dec. 9 vs. David White | 18 |
| 19 | Karl Reed | 28 | 2-1 | USA | Fights Jan 20. vs Alec Hooben | 19 |
| 20 | Teddy Ash | 27 | 9-3 | CANADA | Fights Dec. 15 vs. Jared McComb | 20 |
#1 -- Smealinho Rama (10-3)
Rama is one of the youngest and most experienced fighters on this list which is why he holds the top billing for the 205-pound class. The 25-year-old is a former WSOF heavyweight champion and boasts wins over Steve Mocco, Jake Hein, and Derek Mehmen. Despite losing two of his last three fights, the Canadian is still one of the most promising talents to come out of the Great White North. Rama recently did an interview with FloCombat in September and hopes to return to the cage soon.
#2 – Kyle Noblitt (9-0)
Noblitt is coming off an impressive first-round submission victory over previously undefeated Antônio Paulo Branjão at LFA 21. The 27-year-old has only gone the distance once in his career.
#3 -- Alonzo Menifield (4-0)
Menifield is one of the few prospects on this list with an undefeated record. The 29-year-old is coming off a TKO victory over Daniel Jolly on July 25 which ended prematurely due to an eye injury to the UFC veteran. Menifield is slated to face Brazil’s Otavio Lacerda at LFA 28 on Dec. 8.
#4 - Cameron Olson (8-3 NC)
Roufusport product Olson has amassed an impressive 5-1 record since moving up to the light-heavyweight division last year. The 27-year-old is coming off a unanimous decision win over Karl Reed last month, which was his fifth win in his last six fights. Olson will face Jaquis Williams at LFA 29 on Dec. 15.
#5 – Ryan Spann (12-5)
Spann enters the Top 5 with his age and level of competition being factored into the decision. The 26-year-old has won three of his last four fights with all of those victories coming by stoppage. Spann most recently defeated TUF 23’s Myron Dennis via first-round TKO at LFA 27.