FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Welterweight - October 2017
FloCombat Prospect Rankings - Welterweight - October 2017
FloCombat ranks the top 20 North American welterweight MMA prospects for October 2017.
Rankings based off the following....
- Nick Barnes enters the top five after his win over previously fifth-ranked Chad Curry on Aug. 25.
#1 -- James Nakashima (7-0)
Nakashima recently captured the LFA welterweight title after taking out No. 4-ranked Derrick Krantz by split decision on Sept. 22. Expect the 28-year-old fighter to be picked up by the UFC soon.
#2 -- Kyle Stewart (9-0)
Stewart is coming off a TKO win over Jason Jackson, which unfortunately ended abruptly due to an ankle injury to the Combat Club standout on July 25. The 28-year-old Stewart has won seven of his nine-career fights by stoppage and holds a win over UFC veteran Estevan Payan. With the welterweight division being as deep as it is in the UFC, expect Stewart to compete one more time before getting a UFC call-up.
#3 -- Jaleel Willis (8-0)
Willis captured the V3 Fights welterweight title in June by defeating Nolan Norwood by unanimous decision at V3 Fights 60. The 25-year-old Willis boasts wins over previously undefeated fighters Chauncey Foxworth and Omar Johnson. Willis also has four of his eight career wins by knockout.
#4 -- Derrick Krantz (20-9)
Krantz dropped his LFA welterweight title to James Nakashima on Sept. 22. However, Krantz remains in the No. 4 spot due to the fact it was a competitive, split-decision setback.
#5 -- Nick Barnes (12-2)
Barnes defeated previously No. 5-ranked Chad Curry (9-2) on Aug. 25 by split decision. The 26-year-old Barnes has won three of his last four fights, with his lone loss coming against Brian Camozzi at RFA 43 in August 2016. If he doesn't get picked up by the UFC, expect Barnes to compete for the LFA welterweight title against James Nakashima.
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
- North American fighters only. For example, Thiago Moises wouldn't qualify for these rankings despite training in the U.S.
- No fighters who 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.
- Nick Barnes enters the top five after his win over previously fifth-ranked Chad Curry on Aug. 25.
| RANK | NAME | AGE | RECORD | COUNTRY | NEXT FIGHT | PREVIOUS RANKING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Nakashima | 28 | 8-0 | USA | 1 | |
| 2 | Kyle Stewart | 28 | 9-0 | USA | 2 | |
| 3 | Jaleel Willis | 25 | 8-0 | USA | 3 | |
| 4 | Derrick Krantz | 29 | 20-10 | USA | 4 | |
| 5 | Nick Barnes | 26 | 12-2 | USA | 5 | |
| 6 | Chad Curry | 27 | 9-2 | USA | 6 | |
| 7 | Jason Jackson | 26 | 7-3 | USA | 7 | |
| 8 | Mark Lemminger | 24 | 6-0 | USA | Fights Oct. 7 vs. Patrick Delgado | 8 |
| 9 | Sean Brady | 24 | 6-0 | USA | Fights Oct. 21 vs. Dwight Grant | 9 |
| 10 | Jared Gooden | 23 | 9-2 | USA | 17 | |
| 11 | Braden Smith | 21 | 8-2 | USA | 10 | |
| 12 | Chris Curtis | 30 | 17-5 | USA | 13 | |
| 13 | Curtis Millender | 29 | 12-3 | USA | Fights Oct. 13 vs. Matthew Frincu | 11 |
| 14 | Bobby Lee | 21 | 7-1 | USA | 12 | |
| 15 | Marcus Edwards | 28 | 13-5 | USA | 15 | |
| 16 | Ben Egli | 29 | 10-1 | USA | 16 | |
| 17 | Peter Grajcar | 26 | 5-1 | CANADA | 14 | |
| 18 | Quinton Parks Jr. | 27 | 6-0 | USA | 18 | |
| 19 | Joey Pierotti | 27 | 7-0 | USA | Fights Oct. 7 vs. Dejan Kajic | 19 |
| 20 | Evan Cutts | 26 | 8-3 | USA | 20 |
#1 -- James Nakashima (7-0)
Nakashima recently captured the LFA welterweight title after taking out No. 4-ranked Derrick Krantz by split decision on Sept. 22. Expect the 28-year-old fighter to be picked up by the UFC soon.
#2 -- Kyle Stewart (9-0)
Stewart is coming off a TKO win over Jason Jackson, which unfortunately ended abruptly due to an ankle injury to the Combat Club standout on July 25. The 28-year-old Stewart has won seven of his nine-career fights by stoppage and holds a win over UFC veteran Estevan Payan. With the welterweight division being as deep as it is in the UFC, expect Stewart to compete one more time before getting a UFC call-up.
#3 -- Jaleel Willis (8-0)
Willis captured the V3 Fights welterweight title in June by defeating Nolan Norwood by unanimous decision at V3 Fights 60. The 25-year-old Willis boasts wins over previously undefeated fighters Chauncey Foxworth and Omar Johnson. Willis also has four of his eight career wins by knockout.
#4 -- Derrick Krantz (20-9)
Krantz dropped his LFA welterweight title to James Nakashima on Sept. 22. However, Krantz remains in the No. 4 spot due to the fact it was a competitive, split-decision setback.
#5 -- Nick Barnes (12-2)
Barnes defeated previously No. 5-ranked Chad Curry (9-2) on Aug. 25 by split decision. The 26-year-old Barnes has won three of his last four fights, with his lone loss coming against Brian Camozzi at RFA 43 in August 2016. If he doesn't get picked up by the UFC, expect Barnes to compete for the LFA welterweight title against James Nakashima.
More FloCombat Prospect Rankings for October 2017
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight