Shavkat Rakhmonov, Valentina Shevchenko, Rafael Fiziev Damir Ismagulov, Kiamrian Abbasov paved the way for Central Asia MMA. Now there’s many fighters from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan following the lead.
Watch Central Asia region breakout in next following years copying Dagestan and Caucasus region with breeding future champions.
1.Edil Esengulov
My opinion Central Asia #1 prospect born and trains out Kyrgyzstan. Edil Esengulov probably one of the most underrated welterweight prospects in the world just doesn’t have the name recognition.
Continues to prove himself underrated promotion Open FC & feeder league promotions in Central Asia. Successfully winning Open FC Welterweight Title against respected fighter Daniil Prikaza former Open FC Welterweight Champion and M-1 Challenge Fighter.
Edil Esengulov has 23 wins, 11 out of 23 wins are against winning record opponents defeating respected Central Asian prospect (Shokhasan Mirzamatov).
- SKILLS
- Relentless wrestling pressure
- beautiful wrestling scrambles
- complete back control
- grappling transitions
- mountain running cardio
- 24 years old
- Open FC Welterweight Champion
- #1 Central Asia prospect
Currently contracted ACA fighter can possibly get his name more popular, climbing up ACA welterweight rankings and combat sambo win his way to title. Appreciate him fighting hard to the last seconds even though not most fan friendly fighting style.
2. Bekzat Almakhan
Kazakhstan #1 prospect comes out of the 135lb division, learned about this rising Bantamweight last few years fighting for Octagon (Central Asia Promotion ).
Crossed over to UAE Warriors facing Mauro Mastromarini toughest opponent to date. Stood up to the challenge and outplayed the Argentinian prospect for three rounds.
24 year old is one all-around talent and truly does have bright future ahead of him. Impressed with his striking skills and smartly pacing the fight in tough matchup.
- boxing lateral movements
- faster fighter
- slipping inside with strikes
- clinching to takedowns easily
- fighting at different spaces
- fighting when pressure on him
- perfectly timed takedowns sneaks them
- Profile
- 24 years old
- training partner with UFC prospect Azat Maksum
- Comparison- Sergio Pettis, Petr Yan, Jake Hadley.
3. Kubanychbek Abdisalam Uulu
Top 15 Lightweight outside of UFC/Bellator fights for top ten MMA organization, BRAVE CF. Current Brave CF Lightweight Champion is running the division since he signed in 2019.
Convincing wins against tough opponents like former UFC fighter Rolando Dy, Kamil Magomedov.
Kubanychbek Abdisalam Uulu one of the best prospects come out of Kyrgyzstan right now. Highly advanced in specific aspects from sambo, “fluid strikes”, strong backpack control, controlling range and pace of fight.
- Skills
- sambo pressure
- striking combinations mixed with wrestling
- backpack control
- strong chin
- controlling pace and closing distance
- top mount pressure
- cardiovascular strong
- 29 years old
- 20-3 record
- Brave CF Lightweight Champion
- 2nd Best Kyrgyzstan fighter
- Berkut Young Eagles Tournament Champion
- Training partner with Edil Esengulov & Alimardan Abdykaarov “both champions”
4. Ramazonbek Temirov
#1 Uzbekistan prospect is a 125lb fighter, under the radar flyweight because of fighting for smaller Central Asia promotions.
Currently fighting for Rizin, following the paths of Jiří Procházka & Manel Kape by signing with UFC. However just needs significant wins for example against Justin Scoggins, John Dodson, Hiromasa Ougikubo.
- Skills & Profile
- punching power for flyweight
- explosive
- escaping offensive wrestling transitions
- comparison- Pedro Munhoz
- 26 years old
Temirov is a good fighter but take the next step into being top five flweight prospect needs to become advanced boxer. Begin training with the three-champion caliber boxers out of Uzbekistan and develop into well crafted boxer.
Grappling, gifted power and technical boxing ability will make Temirov a force to be reckoned with for Rizin.
5. Sabit Zhusupov
Bantamweight version of Shavkat Rakhmanov definitely will be signed by major promotion in 2023/2024 as Zhusupov can defeat top 15 UFC/Bellator/One Championship right now.
Impressed me a lot against Russian foe Vladimir Egoyan in his last fight won the AMC Fights Night Bantamweight Title, 4th and 5th round rag dolled Egoyan showing in title rounds he stood up to the moment and delivered.
AMC Title Fight was beautiful display of his world champion Pankration skills as it worked wonders. During his MMA career was 3x Pankration World Champion goes to show the high caliber skills this primed fighter has.
- Skills
- volume accurate boxing
- controlling pace of fight
- striking defense
- avodiing hard shots
- controlling opponent on ground
- taekwondo kicks
- fighting IQ
- timed efficient take downs
- Profile
- 28 years old
- AMC Fight Nights Bantamweight Champion
- 3x Pankration World Champion
6. Dias Erengaipov
Top 100 flyweight in the world quietly flying under the radar as a flyweight prospect. However, continues to win last fight was for Naiza FC Flyweight Title. Winning in submission fashion.
Flyweight talent continues improve in his own gym in Kazakhstan and it has worked. 5 fight winning streak are wins against winning records. UAE Warriors fight against Aliev looked really good.
Dias Erengaipov reminds me similarly to underrated fighter Joseph Benavidez, similar body structure, boxing style.
Rest of 2023/2024 love for him to have tougher matchups at UAE Warriors or request for hard matchups at Naiza FC. Earning himself a UFC, One Championship signing with strong attractive wins against respected flyweights.
- fighting at fast pace
- strong grappling and wrestling ability
- withstanding pressure
- slipping & dipping with punches
- jiu-jitsu positions in side control
- overwhelming opponents
- stronger in later rounds
- 28 years old
- Naiza FC Flyweight Champion
- won fight at UAE Warriors
- biggest win against Abdula Aliev
Billy's MMA Blog 
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