Issue 152

March 2017

Cody Stamann’s victory over Farkhad Sharipov showed the native of Sparta, Michigan had dynamic striking, put combinations together well and was always putting pressure on his opponent.

He also looked strong and had a wrestling game that provided a real takedown threat.

These skills are all the result of a noticeable improvement during the past several years and his eye-catching record is proof of that. It’s certainly the kind of slate that could turn some heads at some of the most high-profile promotions in the world – and it has.

However, Stamann is not one to sit around and wait for his chance. “I think the best way that it could happen for me is that I’m getting ready for a fight and I get called up by a bigger organization,” he says. “But if it doesn’t happen I definitely want to stay busy because that’s the only way fighters get better.”

With the ability to train full-time and a couple more wins on the regional scene, matchmakers may have no choice but to give him that big chance in the near future.

3 MORE TO KEEP AN EYE ON

ARJAN BHULLAR - (CAN)

A heavyweight with real athletic pedigree will always turn heads. The Olympian freestyle wrestler’s latest win in Hard Knocks FC brought his record to 5-0, making him someone the UFC could happily call upon when they venture north of the border this year.

MARAT BALAEV - (RUS)

Owning a belt from Russia’s ACB is a huge accomplishment in 2017.

That’s what Marat Balayev earned by beating fellow undefeated prospect, Yusuf Raisov – absorbing and dishing out some fantastic punishment over a wild 25 minutes.

MARK CHERICO - (USA)

Eddie Alvarez may be Pennsylvania’s premier fighter, but ‘The Pride of Bloomfield’ is 11-1, with eight wins on Pittsburgh’s Pinnacle FC alone, making him a true fighting son of the Keystone State.

Now it’s time for a few fights further afield to earn a call from a big show.