FloCombat Rankings Light Heavyweight: Smealinho Rama Leads Way
FloCombat Rankings Light Heavyweight: Smealinho Rama Leads Way
FloCombat ranks the top 20 North American light heavyweight mixed martial artists for August 2017.
Rankings based off the following....
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.
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 which 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.
Rodriguez has been a mainstay for the CES MMA, competing eight times for the AXS TV promotion. The 27-year-old moved up to the light-heavyweight division last year and hasn't looked back, racking up a 5-1 record. The Lauzon MMA product has won all of his fights by stoppage, including a first-round TKO victory over Alec Hooben at CES 44 in May. "MRod" faces off with standout wrestler Jamelle Jones on August 8.
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 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 staph infection. If De'Reese can stay healthy, he could find himself near the top of this list.
Roufusport product Olson has amassed an impressive 4-1 record since moving up to the light-heavyweight division last year. The 27-year-old is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Julian Marquez at LFA 12 in May, which snapped his four-fight win streak. "Captain Crunch" is slated to face Karl Reed on August 15, and the winner could find himself in the UFC.
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- 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 | Smealinho Rama | 25 | 10-3 | CANADA | |
| 2 | Alonzo Menifield | 29 | 4-0 | USA | |
| 3 | Mike Rodriguez | 28 | 8-2 | USA | Fights Aug. 8 vs. Jamelle Jones |
| 4 | Mo De'Reese | 29 | 5-0 | USA | |
| 5 | Cameron Olson | 27 | 7-3 NC | USA | Fights Aug. 15 vs. Karl Reed |
| 6 | Derrick Brown | 27 | 7-4 | USA | |
| 7 | Everett Cummings | 30 | 11-0 | USA | |
| 8 | Trevor Carlson | 29 | 11-2 | USA | |
| 9 | Jordan Wright | 29 | 8-0 | USA | |
| 10 | Tyree Fortune | 27 | 3-0 | USA | |
| 11 | Ryan Spann | 25 | 10-5 | USA | |
| 12 | Jamelle Jones | 29 | 7-4 | USA | Fights Aug. 8 vs. Mike Rodriguez |
| 13 | Myron Dennis | 28 | 13-7 | USA | |
| 14 | Dylan Potter | 22 | 5-2 | USA | |
| 15 | Karl Reed |
28 | 2-0 | USA | Fights Aug. 15 vs. Cameron Olson |
| 16 | Travis Davis | 30 | 5-1 | USA | |
| 17 | Jesse Murray |
24 |
4-1 |
USA | Fights Aug. 5 vs. Victor Jones |
| 18 | Dashawn Boatwright |
29 |
3-0 | USA | |
| 19 | Alton Cunningham |
24 |
2-0 |
USA | Fights Aug. 26 vs. Rex Griepertrop |
| 20 | Julius Anglickas |
26 | 2-1 | USA |
#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 -- 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 which 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.
RELATED: FloCombat Prospect Rankings: Heavyweight
#3 -- Mike Rodriguez (8-2)
Rodriguez has been a mainstay for the CES MMA, competing eight times for the AXS TV promotion. The 27-year-old moved up to the light-heavyweight division last year and hasn't looked back, racking up a 5-1 record. The Lauzon MMA product has won all of his fights by stoppage, including a first-round TKO victory over Alec Hooben at CES 44 in May. "MRod" faces off with standout wrestler Jamelle Jones on August 8.
#4 - 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 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 staph infection. If De'Reese can stay healthy, he could find himself near the top of this list.
#5 - Cameron Olson (7-3 NC)
Roufusport product Olson has amassed an impressive 4-1 record since moving up to the light-heavyweight division last year. The 27-year-old is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Julian Marquez at LFA 12 in May, which snapped his four-fight win streak. "Captain Crunch" is slated to face Karl Reed on August 15, and the winner could find himself in the UFC.
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