FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Light Heavyweight - September 2017
FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Light Heavyweight - September 2017
View the top-20 North American MMA light heavyweight prospects for September 2017 with the FloCombat Prospect Rankings.
Rankings based off the following....
September Notes
- Previously No. 3-ranked Kyle Noblitt dropped from heavyweight to light heavyweight division and makes the No. 2 spot on our list.
- With Noblitt's entry into the light heavyweight rankings, he replaces Mike Rodriguez.
- Previously No. 3-ranked Mike Rodriguez was signed to the UFC after defeating Jamelle Jones on Aug. 8 and therefore is ineligible for the 205-pound rankings.
- Previously No. 10-ranked Tyree Fortune signed with Bellator and therefore is ineligible for the light heavyweight rankings.
- Kennedy Nzechukwu was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 13 spot.
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. Hopefully with the new Professional Fighters League, he'll be more active, as he's fought just three times since 2015.
#2 -- Kyle Noblitt (9-0)
Noblitt dropped down to the light heavyweight division for the first time in his career and earned an impressive win over Antônio Paulo Branjão on Sept. 1 in the main event of LFA 21. Since his professional debut in 2015, Noblitt has risen to become one of the top light heavyweight prospects in the Midwest MMA scene. The 27-year-old fighter boasts three wins by knockout along with four submission victories.
While he wasn't happy with his last performance, 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 that ended prematurely due to an eye injury to the UFC veteran. The Texas native, who splits his time in Colorado training with UFC standouts Curtis Blaydes and Dominick Reyes, didn't receive a UFC contract after his last fight but could be headed to the Las Vegas promotion very soon.
Roufusport product Cameron 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 Olson's fifth win in his last six fights.
De'Reese boasts an undefeated record, including stoppage victories in his last three fights. Most people will remember De'Reese for his stint on season 23 of The Ultimate Fighter, where he was knocked out by eventual finalist Khalil Rountree. The 29-year-old was slated to take on Volkan Oezdemir at Titan FC 43 in January but had to pull out due to a staph infection. If De'Reese can stay healthy, he could find himself near the top of this list.
Stay tuned as we continue to unveil and update our rankings for all major weight classes right here on FloCombat.
Heavyweight
- 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.
September Notes
- Previously No. 3-ranked Kyle Noblitt dropped from heavyweight to light heavyweight division and makes the No. 2 spot on our list.
- With Noblitt's entry into the light heavyweight rankings, he replaces Mike Rodriguez.
- Previously No. 3-ranked Mike Rodriguez was signed to the UFC after defeating Jamelle Jones on Aug. 8 and therefore is ineligible for the 205-pound rankings.
- Previously No. 10-ranked Tyree Fortune signed with Bellator and therefore is ineligible for the light heavyweight rankings.
- Kennedy Nzechukwu was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 13 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 | 3 HW | |
| 3 | Alonzo Menifield | 29 | 4-0 | USA | 2 | |
| 4 | Cameron Olson | 27 | 8-3 NC | USA | 5 | |
| 5 | Mo De'Reese | 29 | 5-0 | USA | 4 | |
| 6 | Derrick Brown | 27 | 7-4 | USA | 6 | |
| 7 | Everett Cummings | 30 | 11-0 | USA | 7 | |
| 8 | Trevor Carlson | 29 | 11-2 | USA | 8 | |
| 9 | Jordan Wright | 29 | 8-0 | USA | 9 | |
| 10 | Ryan Spann | 25 | 10-5 | USA | 11 | |
| 11 | Myron Dennis | 28 | 15-6 | USA | 13 | |
| 12 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 25 | 3-0 | USA | NR | |
| 13 | Alton Cunningham | 24 | 3-0 | USA | 20 | |
| 14 | Dylan Potter | 22 | 5-3 | USA | 14 | |
| 15 | Travis Davis | 30 | 5-1 | USA | 16 | |
| 16 | Jesse Murray | 24 | 5-1 | USA | 17 | |
| 17 | Dashawn Boatwright | 29 | 3-0 | USA | 18 | |
| 18 | Jamelle Jones | 29 | 7-5 | USA | 12 | |
| 19 | Karl Reed | 28 | 2-1 | USA | 15 | |
| 20 | Alec Hooben | 24 | 5-3 | USA | NR |
#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. Hopefully with the new Professional Fighters League, he'll be more active, as he's fought just three times since 2015.
#2 -- Kyle Noblitt (9-0)
Noblitt dropped down to the light heavyweight division for the first time in his career and earned an impressive win over Antônio Paulo Branjão on Sept. 1 in the main event of LFA 21. Since his professional debut in 2015, Noblitt has risen to become one of the top light heavyweight prospects in the Midwest MMA scene. The 27-year-old fighter boasts three wins by knockout along with four submission victories.
#3 -- Alonzo Menifield (4-0)
While he wasn't happy with his last performance, 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 that ended prematurely due to an eye injury to the UFC veteran. The Texas native, who splits his time in Colorado training with UFC standouts Curtis Blaydes and Dominick Reyes, didn't receive a UFC contract after his last fight but could be headed to the Las Vegas promotion very soon.
#4 - Cameron Olson (8-3 NC)
Roufusport product Cameron 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 Olson's fifth win in his last six fights.
#5 - Mo De'Reese (5-0)
De'Reese boasts an undefeated record, including stoppage victories in his last three fights. Most people will remember De'Reese for his stint on season 23 of The Ultimate Fighter, where he was knocked out by eventual finalist Khalil Rountree. The 29-year-old was slated to take on Volkan Oezdemir at Titan FC 43 in January but had to pull out due to a staph infection. If De'Reese can stay healthy, he could find himself near the top of this list.
Stay tuned as we continue to unveil and update our rankings for all major weight classes right here on FloCombat.
More FloCombat Prospect Rankings for September 2017:
Heavyweight