1. Justin Van Heerden
Pound for pound Oceanian prospect born in South Africa but immigrated to Australia with his family. Finding Freestyle MMA and becoming main training partner for one of the best fighters in the world… Alexander Volkanovski.
Training with Pound for Pound Fighter only make you better fighter if you take advantage of the ample opportunities. Training with Volkanovski panned out as Justin Van Heerden is the #1 Australian fighter.
Current Eternal MMA Featherweight Champion, former Coastal Combat featherweight champion. Defeating undefeated fighter Mohammed Alavi with 2nd round rear naked choke and former DREAM fighter Rodolfo Marques.
- Muay Thai clinch defense
- Dealing with adversity
- top pressure wrestling
- counter striking with overhand rights
- uses kickboxing as distraction
- pressures opponent towards cage and grinds out with wrestling
- Similar to Josh Emmett
2. Abdalla Biayda
Fastly rising Australian Featherweight put himself on notice in 2022 and 2023 with really strong wins. 27 year old Abdalla Biayda improving fight by fight as last win against Alan Philpott was best one so far.
Six foot three inches tall fight against Alan Philpott used his height and reach effectively in closed distance. Continuing to control the distance, not allowing Alan to get any space.
Biayda currently fighting for #1 Australia promotion Eternal MMA. #1 contender for Eternal MMA Featherweight Title potentially face Justin Van Heerden. Winning can lead to signing with UFC.
Fighting Style and skills
- Sticks to fighting on feet
- strong job fighting in close distance
- takes advantage of long reach
- underrated fast leg kicks
- stays composed when taken down
- solid scrambles
- Comparison- Ignacio Bahomondes, Devonte Smith
3. Joseph Luciano
Accomplished prospect since Amateur career. Fighting for IMMAF Asia, Africa and World Championship events. Sometimes great Amateur fighters fail to translate but Joseph Luciano is #1 Oceanian Welterweight prospect.
Last month defeated Kaleb Rideout for Eternal MMA Welterweight Title. Dominating with his strong wrestling ability for three rounds till submission.
Joseph Luciano trains out of Absolute MMA & Conditioning with UFC prospect Jack Jenkins, top Australian prospect Kaan Offli, Lisa Kyriacou #1 Woman’s Australian prospect.
Fighting Style- Wrestling focused controlling opponents with wrestling shooting takedown after takedown. On the floor hunting for submissions, keeping his opponent overwhelmed.
Comparison- Andre Petroski
4. Aaron Tau
Winner of the Dan Hooker Scholarship in 2022, XFC Bantamweight Champion is few fights away from signing UFC contract.
Three first round finishes in a row taking advantage of his stocky compact body against opponents. Two bricks as hands. Killer mentality. Fun fighter to watch.
5. Kitt Campbell
Current Hex Fight Series Welterweight Champion was on three fight losing streak before pulling it together. Now second-best Oceanian Welterweight.
During his losing streak was defeated by longtime MMA veteran JJ Ambrose compiled record of 33-8. Sucks to lose but held his own against way more experienced fighter. Great battle till the very end as Kitt Campbell continued to keep fighting. Showed can hang with the best of them even with lack of experience.
12-6 record at 28 years old maybe one more year and Campbell can get a call from the big promotions. Possibly switch promotions and sign with Eternal MMA. Attempt to win the Eternal MMA Welterweight Title.
Fighting Style and Skills
- Strong kickboxing power
- Accurate boxing strikes
- absorbing hard shots
- ability to stand and strike inside pocket
- patient smart fighting
- continuing to fight hard under tough situations
- Comparison- Tim Means
6. Lisa Kyriacout
#1 Pound for Pound Oceanian Female prospect & first ever Hex Fight Women’s Flyweight Champion.
Highly touted fighter no question will sign with UFC or Bellator in 2023 just needs to fight recognizable names on Hex Fight Series or Eternal MMA.
7. Kaan Offli
Hex Fight Series & Bushido Featherweight Champion few fights away from getting a call from Sean Shelby fighting on Dana White Contender Series or to fill a prelim spot.
Offli right behind Van Heerden & Biayda as best featherweight prospect from Oceania. Standout win is against Jeremy Pacatiw current One Championship fighter.
Next fight for Kaan Offli should be against Justin Van Heerden. Cross Promotion between Eternal MMA & Hex Fight Series.
Fighting Style and Skills
- Explosive power
- Closing distance in Bushido fight
- fighting well for stocky short fighter
- clinch grappling against fence
- smart use of takedowns
- good three punch combinations
- strong use of low leg kicks as distraction
- similar fighting style like Alexander Volkanosvki
- Comparison- Dan Ige and Pedro Munhoz
Billy's MMA Blog 