FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Lightweight: Robert Watley Snags Top Spot
FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Lightweight: Robert Watley Snags Top Spot
FloCombat ranks the top 20 North American lightweight MMA prospects for August 2017.
Rankings based off the following....
Watley hasn't lost a fight since his professional debut in 2014 and has won four of his last seven fights by stoppage. The 27-year-old fighter is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Thiago Moises at LFA 17 earlier this month, when he captured the vacant lightweight title. "Contact" hasn't had it easy, with his opponents having a combined record of 36-6.
If "Tynanes" doesn't ring a bell, that's probably because he's fought his last three fights for ONE Championship overseas. The 26-year-old Hawaiian fighter has only gone the distance twice in his career and boasts four wins by submission. He's coming off a unanimous decision victory over Koji Ando at ONE Championship: Global Rivals in April 2016.
Nallo has been widely considered the top lightweight prospect in Canada for years, but his lack of activity in the cage has hurt his standing. The Tristar product has fought just twice since 2015 and was slated to face UFC veteran Jake Lindsey at Victory FC 55 this past December but had to pull out due to injury. The 28-year-old Nallo has never gone the distance in his career and has also never fought outside of Canada.
The Washington State native Arnett had his 13-fight winning streak snapped in his last bout, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Brandon Davis on August 1. The setback was Arnett's first loss since November 2013. "Golden Boy" has 12 career wins by stoppage.
Ogden is coming off a second-round submission victory over previously undefeated Chance Thackston at Victory FC 57 in May, pushing his winning streak to six straight. The 27-year-old boasts six wins by submission and has only gone the distance twice in his career. The Missouri native is slated to face TJ Brown on September 1 at LFA 21.
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
- 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 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.
| RANK | NAME | AGE | RECORD | COUNTRY | NEXT FIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Watley | 27 | 8-1 | USA | |
| 2 | Lowen Tynanes |
26 |
9-0 |
USA | |
| 3 | Mandel Nallo | 27 | 5-0 | CANADA | |
| 4 | Austin Arnett |
25 |
16-3 |
USA | |
| 5 | Trey Ogden |
27 | 8-1 | USA | Fights Sept. 1 vs. TJ Brown |
| 6 | Jose Flores | 29 | 7-0 | USA | |
| 7 | Nick Gehrts | 22 | 7-2 | USA | |
| 8 | Joe Giannetti |
22 | 5-0 | USA | |
| 9 | Alex Hernandez | 27 | 7-1 | USA | |
| 10 | Alexi Argyriou | 23 | 5-0 NC | CANADA | |
| 11 | Joseph Lowry | 27 | 6-0 | USA | |
| 12 | Luis Pena | 24 | 4-0 | USA | |
| 13 | Max Bohanan | 26 | 6-2 | USA | |
| 14 | Matt Sayles | 23 | 6-1 | USA | |
| 15 | Craig Shintani | 26 | 7-2 | CANADA | |
| 16 | Matt Frevola | 27 | 5-0 | USA | |
| 17 | Alex Munoz | 27 | 4-0 | USA | |
| 18 | Omar Johnson | 28 | 6-1 | USA | |
| 19 | Mike Scarcello | 27 | 9-3-1 | CANADA | Fights Sept. 28 vs. Shane Campbell |
| 20 | Damir Ferhatbegovic | 22 | 3-1 | USA | Fights Aug. 19 vs. Jonathan Pearce |
#1 -- Robert Watley (8-1)
Watley hasn't lost a fight since his professional debut in 2014 and has won four of his last seven fights by stoppage. The 27-year-old fighter is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Thiago Moises at LFA 17 earlier this month, when he captured the vacant lightweight title. "Contact" hasn't had it easy, with his opponents having a combined record of 36-6.
#2 -- Lowen Tynanes (9-0)
If "Tynanes" doesn't ring a bell, that's probably because he's fought his last three fights for ONE Championship overseas. The 26-year-old Hawaiian fighter has only gone the distance twice in his career and boasts four wins by submission. He's coming off a unanimous decision victory over Koji Ando at ONE Championship: Global Rivals in April 2016.
#3 -- Mandel Nallo (5-0)
Nallo has been widely considered the top lightweight prospect in Canada for years, but his lack of activity in the cage has hurt his standing. The Tristar product has fought just twice since 2015 and was slated to face UFC veteran Jake Lindsey at Victory FC 55 this past December but had to pull out due to injury. The 28-year-old Nallo has never gone the distance in his career and has also never fought outside of Canada.
#4 -- Austin Arnett (16-3)
The Washington State native Arnett had his 13-fight winning streak snapped in his last bout, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Brandon Davis on August 1. The setback was Arnett's first loss since November 2013. "Golden Boy" has 12 career wins by stoppage.
#5 -- Trey Ogden (8-1)
Ogden is coming off a second-round submission victory over previously undefeated Chance Thackston at Victory FC 57 in May, pushing his winning streak to six straight. The 27-year-old boasts six wins by submission and has only gone the distance twice in his career. The Missouri native is slated to face TJ Brown on September 1 at LFA 21.
For more FloCombat Prospect Rankings, view the following links:
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight