Issue 156
July 2017
A 20-year-old that’s been hand-picked for stardom
From Medellin, Colombia
Age 20
Weight 125lb
Team Kings MMA
Record 3-0
Sometimes it just takes one moment to change your career. For Sabina Mazo, it was her kick that landed flush on the chin of Jamie Thorton at LFA 9. Within hours, the clip of one of the knockouts of the year was on MMA websites and social media streams across the world.
Big things were expected of her by Ed Soares and the rest of the Legacy Fighting Alliance team. They put her straight into a featured bout on AXS TV, even though it was her first fight in America. Not that Mazo felt any pressure. “I just enjoy,” she says. “I really like to fight. Here or another country, it’s always fighting. It’s the same thing. I just use that in my favor and it really motivates me during camp.”
The flyweight division’s newest threat began her fighting education aged 15 at Muay Thai Medellin in Colombia, before moving to the States to study and train with Rafael Cordeiro and a galaxy of stars at Kings MMA.
“Master Rafael has been great. He is really a master. I love how he teaches. Of course, techniques, but he helps me evolve as a fighter and a human... Sparring is awesome. It’s always hard so that makes you better every day.”
Mazo isn’t just a pure striker, either. She began grappling just one year after standup. Now she’s part of the Kings family among legends like Fabricio Werdum and Lyoto Machida, her development into a complete mixed martial artist is accelerating. She could be a UFC star if it commits to the division.
3 more to keep an eye on...
Ottman Azaitar
TURKEY
Undefeated and one of the stars of Bahrain’s upstart Brave Combat Federation. ‘Bulldozer’ fights out of Germany and has some respectable wins, but make sure you watch his war with Charlie Leary. More action in 2:22 than many manage in three rounds.
Rena Kubota
JAPAN
Win by flying armbar, win by guillotine choke, win by body kick, win by liver punch. So reads the 4-0 MMA résumé of Rizin’s native atomweight star. Action and violence of the highest order is guaranteed when this lady competes.
Kamil Szymuszowski
POLAND
You won’t find many fighters in Europe in a richer vein of form than ‘Szymek’. The 28-year-old has won nine straight fights since the start of 2014 including a shutout of UFC vet Maciej Jewtuszko. He should have his eye on the KSW welterweight title later in 2017.
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