Name:	Dileno Lopes
Nickname:	--
Age:	23
Height:	--
Location:	Brazil

We've finally made it. This is the end of the line for the 2012 World MMA Scouting Report, so without further adieu -- I present to you our #1 flyweight prospect -- Nova Uniao's Dileno Lopes (8-0). Lopes is hands down the smoothest operator in the prospect pool, utilizing a slick, effortless Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling game that's coupled with calculated, above average striking. Those well-balanced attributes have helped him record eight wins since his debut in late 2007.

Lopes' rise to prominence has been slowed by his low rate of activity during his early years, fighting only three times in three years. Once he signed to fight for Amazon Show Combat, work got steadier, submitting Adriano Balbi and Samuel Xavier in bouts a little over a month apart in late 2010.

Last year was by far the busiest of his career, beating Josenaldo Araujo Silva and Adson Jander by submission, then narrowly edging Wellington Davila in a rematch of their encounter two years prior. With the inclusion of the 125 lbs. weight class in the UFC, he should begin fielding phone calls for more action, possibly from Joe Silva.

Lopes' record is heavily weighted in submission wins, seven of his eight to be exact. While that's an obvious sign that he possesses quality grappling chops, most readers would glance at those stats and deem Lopes a one-dimensional fighter who will never make it without some semblance of a stand-up game. Fortunately, many of those wins were created from stunning shots that Lopes delivered on the feet. He has solid defense, good footwork and head movement, and counter punches accurately, leaving more aggressive strikers reeling.

Against rangier competition, Lopes has problems trying to get inside to land punches, and he isn't much of a knockout threat. Those issues haven't been problematic as of yet due to his top-tier grappling game, and some of those opponents were outside of his natural weight class. Regardless, Lopes has gotten far too aggressive when he's facing fighters with similar striking styles, going for broke at times when he can't use a ranged striking attack of his own.

Those are minor issues however. By all indications, Lopes is a legitimate talent who could have a long, successful career in the sport with steadier work and continued improvement. At only 23 years of age, time is on his side, and he's already one of the smoothest transition fighters we've seen among our prospects, moving effortlessly between striking and grappling as if he's done it for years. With any luck and a couple of more wins, Lopes will undoubtedly call the UFC home in 2012.

Tune in tomorrow for our honorable mentions for this year's report.

Footage of Dileno Lopes after the fold...

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A change of opponent on roughly one week's notice and the news that his light heavyweight title defense would become a heavyweight title bout didn't hinder Tom DeBlass from doing what he does best. Winning.

The #3-ranked light heavyweight on the 2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report dispatched of sizable veteran Randy Smith in forty-one seconds flat to win the Ring of Combat heavyweight crown on Friday night at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. DeBlass used speedy footwork early to avoid Smith's advances before pulling guard and transitioning to his defenseless leg, locking down a heel hook to win.

The victory undoubtedly shines a spotlight on DeBlass as one of the best up-and-coming light heavyweight talents in the world. Despite the change in opponent and the obvious skill difference between Smith and himself, a win is a win, and DeBlass has won seven straight, remaining unblemished in his professional fight career. It's time for DeBlass to get his shot in the big leagues.

Pellegrino MMA's Jeff Lentz implemented a high-flying karate striking game to cruise to a dominant unanimous decision victory over Giovanni Moljo to win the vacant Ring of Combat featherweight regional crown. The 22-year-old TUF alumni scored 30-25 scores across the board, punishing Moljo with a steady diet of heavy leg, body, and head kicks. His best chance to finish occurred in the second round after he buried a body kick into Moljo's midsection. Unfortunately, Lentz wasn't aggressive enough to finish, and Moljo proved throughout the fight that he was a tough competitor despite landing little offense. Lentz will face Ring of Combat featherweight national champion Deividas Taurosevicius next.

UFC veteran Pete ‘Drago' Sell rebounded from a tough loss at the hands of heralded prospect Nordine Taleb in November to beat Mitch Whitesel by unanimous decision. Whitesel proved to be a tough cookie in the opening minutes of the fight, wielding a strong jab and quick footwork to keep Sell at bay. As the fight dragged on, however, Sell found a way to bring the fight to the ground, slowing down Whitesel and controlling him to a point in which his offensive abilities weakened. Sell dominated the second and third rounds from top control, easily taking home a win to start out this year on a good note.

Tiger Schulmann's Uriah Hall survived an opening round scare at the hands of Daniel Akinyemi, submitting the Iron Ring finalist via heel hook with only ten seconds left in the round. Akinyemi took it to Hall early, blasting through his weak takedown defense and putting him on his back repeatedly. It looked as if Akinyemi was well on his way to winning the first round before Hall found his opportunity in Akinyemi's exposed limb.

Serra-Longo prospect Ed Gordon narrowly edged David Tkeshelashvili of the Republic of Georgia, winning by majority decision on the scorecards, 29-29, 29-28, 29-28, in light heavyweight action. Neither fighter was overly impressive or dominant in the affair, but Tkeshelashvili did hurt Gordon with a stray punch in the second round after a grappling intense first that saw Tkeshelashvili come up short trying to throw Gordon to the mat repeatedly. Gordon rebounded in the third with a more calculated approach on the feet, using footwork and speed to move in and out of Tkeshelashvili's range. It paid off, winning him the round and the fight.

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Ring of Combat 39 will take place on Friday, February 10 from the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The main event will feature highly-touted light heavyweight Scouting Report prospect Tom DeBlass as he battles late replacement Randy Smith at a 240 lb. catchweight. Also on the line is the Ring of Combat featherweight crown, lying vacant for either The Ultimate Fighter 14 contestant Jeff Lentz or Illinois' Giovanni Moljo to take. UFC veteran Pete Sell and 2011 Scouting Report prospect Uriah Hall will also make appearances alongside a bevy of great prospects in James Jenkins, Frankie Perez, Ed Gordon, and Jarred Mercado.

The card will air live on GFL.tv at 8:30 PM ET, cost is $14.99. If you're unable to follow along with the action on GFL.tv, join our live discussion in the comments and follow the play-by-play right here at BloodyElbow.com. The card is as follows:

Quick Results
Anthony Harrison def. Carlos Fonseca via unanimous decision (20-18, 20-17, 20-18)
Whitney Francois def. Pat Defranco by KO at 2:31 of Round 1
Frankie Perez def. Jeremy Uy via unanimous decision (20-16, 20-17, 20-17)
James Jenkins def. Dwayne Shelton via TKO, 1:51 of Round 3
Munah Holland def. Pearl Gonzalez via majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Jarred Mercado def. Rafael Fagundes Machado via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Ed Gordon def. David Tkeshelashvili by majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Duane van Helvoirt def. Lester Caslow via submission (triangle choke) at 1:49 of Round 1.
Uriah Hall def. Daniel Akinyemi via submission (heel hook) at 3:58 of Round 1.
Pete Sell def. Mike Whitesel via unanimous decision
Jeff Lentz def. Giovanni Moljo via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25).
Tom DeBlass def. Randy Smith via submission (heel hook) at 0:41 of Round 1.

More play-by-play after the fold...

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Photo: US Combat Sports
Name:	Sergio Pettis
Nickname:	--
Age:	18
Height:	5'6"
Location:	Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of the trends we've noticed between this year's report and last year's report is the rise of siblings in the ranks of MMA's talent pool. The Lima brothers are the perfect example, but in a more broader sense -- siblings aren't that uncommon in the upper reaches of the sport. Why is that?

Most fans would conclude that both men were cut from the same fabric, each possessing whatever it is that makes them great fighters. Others would say that the older fighter inspired the younger fighter, training alongside one another and helping each other achieve great heights. I fall into the latter argument, and look no further than former WEC champion Anthony Pettis' younger brother, Sergio Pettis (3-0), for proof.

The 18-year-old has maintained an unblemished three-fight professional record, stopping all of his opposition inside two rounds. He also put up a 4-0 record in the amateur ranks, finishing three out of four opponents when he was still in high school. Those impressive feats come as no surprise to most fans. After all, he's had excellent teachers in Duke Roufus and his brother Anthony.

There is, however, an argument that what Sergio has done is even more impressive. He's fought in the shadow of his brother as a fighter who people associate with high-flying striking. Not surprisingly, Sergio is exactly that type of fighter, utilizing explosive kicks, calculated striking attacks, and speedy footwork. But it's clear from the start of every fight that his opponents have shrunk their gameplan down to one word: takedowns.

Sergio accommodates the wrestling community well, putting a roof over their heads, normally in the form of his interlocked legs. Unlike his brother during his early days, Sergio is a more developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, working from an open guard and actively working for submissions.

Sergio has fought his entire career within the confines of the 135 lb. weight class, but he'll take on Christopher Haney at NAFC Colosseum on May 4th at flyweight. While he's still very young, he possesses all the tools in his arsenal to beat strong competition, and we're confident that Pettis will find himself in the UFC in 2012.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Sergio Pettis after the fold...

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Ring of Combat 39 will take place on Friday, February 10 from the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The main event will feature highly-touted light heavyweight Scouting Report prospect Tom DeBlass as he battles late replacement Randy Smith at a 240 lb. catchweight. Also on the line is the Ring of Combat featherweight crown, lying vacant for either The Ultimate Fighter 12 contestant Jeff Lentz or Illinois' Giovanni Moljo to take. UFC veteran Pete Sell and 2011 Scouting Report prospect Uriah Hall will also make appearances alongside a bevy of great prospects in James Jenkins, Frankie Perez, Ed Gordon, and Jarred Mercado.

The card will air live on GFL.tv at 8:30 PM ET, cost is $14.99. If you're unable to follow along with the action on GFL.tv, BloodyElbow.com will provide live results and play-by-play at that time.

Catchweight (240 lbs.): Tom DeBlass (6-0) vs. Randy Smith (14-9-1): DeBlass weighed in at 209, Smith at 238, Smith was a short notice replacement

2012 World MMA Scouting Report prospect Tom DeBlass will attempt to defend his light heavyweight strap on Friday night for the second time as he battles heavyweight power puncher Randy ‘The Wolf' Smith in the main event. DeBlass was originally scheduled to battle Tiger Schulmann's Carlos Brooks (3-1), but an injury forced him out of the bout and opened up an opportunity for Smith to play spoiler on short notice.

Smith's track record of knocking out opponents is a concern, but DeBlass should find comfort in knowing he has fought far tougher competition despite only fighting in six professional bouts to Smith's twenty-four career appearances. Smith isn't the sharpest defensive fighter either, and his record is a clear indication that he's fallen prey to more technically sound competition. DeBlass fits that description, highly-credentialed on the ground while improving by leaps and bounds in the stand-up department. The intrigue here is the enormous weight difference and the fact that DeBlass has been on a training surge as of late. We'll likely get the best version of DeBlass we've ever seen, but he's up against a mediocre fighter who may have nearly 40 lbs. on him by fight time. Technique will beat size on Friday night. Tom DeBlass via submission

Vacant Featherweight Title: Jeff Lentz (8-2-1) vs. Giovanni Moljo (4-4):

Your favorite smoker, TUF 12's Jeff Lentz, returns to his roots on Friday night after running into a brick wall when the opportunity of a lifetime called. Despite losing to future WEC'er Anthony Morrison at Ring of Combat 27 in November of ‘09, Lentz was selected to appear on The Ultimate Fighter reality series, beating Daniel Head by rear naked choke during the elimination round to get into the house. Once in the house, however, Lentz was spotlighted by the cameras, drinking and smoking with complete disregard for his upcoming bout against Alex Cacares. Cacares beat Lentz in the second round by triangle choke.

Since the show, Lentz has recorded a 2-1-1 record, losing by unanimous decision to UFC veteran Ryan Roberts while beating WEC and Strikeforce veteran Anthony Leone in a lone stint with Bellator in May. Jeff is an aggressive, pressuring menace inside the cage, utilizing a karate background that's been supplemented with submissions.

Moljo isn't exactly a cakewalk for Lentz in this showdown. Despite his .500 record, Moljo is a capable wrestler/grappler who can put opponents in danger repeatedly off his back. It would be keen for Lentz to maintain range and pepper Moljo with strikes, avoiding any ground exchanges that up the chances for Moljo to pull off a win. I think that's exactly how Lentz plays it, winning by decision. Jeff Lentz via unanimous decision

Notable Feature Bouts

Catchweight (180 lbs.): Pete "Drago" Sell (9-6) vs. Mitch Whitesel (17-20): Whitesel might have almost 40 fights to his name, but it isn't good when roughly half of them have been in the loss column. Despite such a lopsided record, Whitesel has been in the cage with the who's who of future UFC fighters. Unfortunately, he didn't beat any of them, and it's likely he won't be beating a former UFC fighter in Pete Sell on Friday night. If Whitesel's lacking submission defense wasn't enough, his chin is going to have a hard time withstanding Sell's power. In either case, Sell wins handily inside the first frame. Pete Sell via TKO, Round 1

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Name:	Alexandre Pantoja
Nickname:	--
Age:	21
Height:	5'5"
Location:	Brazil

After a brief trip back to the United States to conclude the latter half of our top ten flyweight countdown, we now journey back to Brazil to crack the top five. Surprisingly, we lead the second half of our climb to the summit with 21-year-old Alexandre Pantoja (10-2), a Nova Uniao fighter who is currently riding a three-fight win streak and has only lost to flyweight kingpin Jussier da Silva over the course of the last three years. I say surprisingly because more informed fans and analysts feel he may be the next great flyweight fighter from the region.

Those claims aren't without supporting evidence. He wiped out a couple of flyweight regulars in Ralph Lauren and Michael William Costa in bouts in ‘09 during a five-fight winning streak and quickly submitted heralded up-and-comer Bruno Azevedo at Shooto Brazil 18 in September of 2010. His resume isn't chalk full of experienced talent, lending some evidence to the contrarian point of view that the hype isn't justified yet.

Inevitably, we did buy into the opposing opinion. His strength of record isn't great, and it isn't decked out with wins over larger, more experienced bantamweights like some of our early picks. But it's difficult to see a ceiling already when Pantoja is only 21 years old and possesses a well-balanced arsenal of weapons.

Adept both on the feet and on the ground, Pantoja can win in any area of a fight. He's excellent off his back, consistently threatening with submissions or scrambling his way back to his feet. He's a strong striker, utilizing a Muay Thai base to batter opponents with a wild, aggressive approach that has produced more knockouts than your average flyweight fighter.

Defense is a concern, and it's heavily reliant on his conditioning, which has been hit or miss. He tends to get sloppy as fights drags on, mimicking a windmill with his striking attacks and leaving his chin exposed. His aggressive, uncontrolled attack is the likely culprit, and as he matures -- it should become less of a problem.

Time will tell whether that's the case. In the meantime, Pantoja needs to fight tougher competition that will push him to his limits. He needs to wade in the deep end to get a sense of where he stands. Right now, there isn't much Brazil can offer him at 125 lbs. with the exception of a rematch with Formiga. Past the rematch, there isn't much left for Pantoja in terms of credible match-ups in Brazil. If he can't gain the interest of Joe Silva yet, blowing up a few veterans while improving technique should suffice into mid-to-late 2012. If he hasn't gotten the call by then, Twitter campaigns seem to work.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Alexandre Pantoja after the fold...

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Photo by Jeff Sherwood, Sherdog
Name:	Hector Sandoval
Nickname:	Kid Alex
Age:	25
Height:	5'5"
Location:	Sacramento, California

It wouldn't be a flyweight countdown without the presence of one of the MMA's most successful training camps in the lighter weight classes being represented. Team Alpha Male has produced a steady stream of high-quality talent, fighters such as Urijah Faber, Joseph Benavidez, and Chad Mendes, and the camp has hot prospects on deck in Lance Palmer and T.J. Dillashaw at both 135 and 145 lbs.

At flyweight, Team Alpha Male isn't without reserves. Ukiah, California's Hector Sandoval (4-1) is one of their most promising representatives, recording four wins in the last two years in the California mixed martial arts scene. His most notable win to date came in December against Taylor McCorriston (6-2) at Impact MMA: Recognition, who had only previously lost to Hector's teammate T.J. Dillashaw.

Hector's style is what you would typically associate with any Team Alpha Male fighter, a power wrestler with explosive takedowns, competent grappling chops, and a furious stand-up game. He doesn't possess overly technical striking prowess, and his size is problematic in pushing his effectiveness to the next level in that arena. He more than makes for that with the threat of a powerful slam or blanketing top control.

Defensively, he needs to protect his chin better. He already has a tough time getting inside on his opponents due to his short reach in comparison to longer opponents, and that may all change when he's fighting flyweight competition consistently. But there is some concern that his scrambling style of striking could be exploited due to the holes it opens up to his chin.

At only 25 years old, Sandoval has a bright future, and he'll undoubtedly find his way into the UFC on the sails of his teammates' success. He has all the tools to find continued success at the regional level right now, and in time - he'll likely improve to a point in which success will find him in the depths of the UFC's new flyweight division. Look for him to make his debut inside the Octagon in late 2012.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Hector Sandoval after the fold...

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Photo by GatewayMMA.com
Name:	Jesse Riggleman
Nickname:	Mountain Man
Age:	26
Height:	5'5"
Location:	Harrisonburg, Virginia

At #7 on the 2012 World MMA Flyweight Scouting Report, Virginia's Jesse Riggleman (11-2) finds his deserved spot on this year's countdown. After back-to-back losses in 2010 to The Ultimate Fighter contestants John Dodson and Louis Gaudinot, Riggleman bounced back in 2011, defeating Jason Hiliker at M-1 Challenge 24 in March before narrowly defeating 2011 World MMA Scouting Report prospect Farkhad Sharipov at Bellator 51 in September.

Before his ascension to the upper reaches of the talent pool, Riggleman amassed a perfect 9-0 record in a little over a year's time, defeating Bellator veteran Bryan Goldsby and The Ultimate Fighter 14 contestant Josh Ferguson along the way. Typical of other flyweight prospects, Riggleman fought in weight classes above his natural weight, showcasing a toughness and durability that can only be described as inspiring. His split decision win over Goldsby is the perfect example.

Not only does Riggleman possess those valuable attributes, he's competent in almost every area of his skill-set. He possesses a solid takedown game, skilled striking, excellent conditioning, and a relentless work ethic, making him one of the best-rounded fighters on the countdown.

If he truly possesses all of those skills, why isn't he higher on our list? From a technical standpoint, he could use some work, mainly on the intricate details that are usually the differences between good and great fighters. His granite chin and endless gas tank have saved him many times in the past, mainly because larger fighters took advantage of the size advantage. Riggleman found a way to win, but I'm still skeptical about his chances against top-tier talent.

Undoubtedly, the UFC's inclusion of a flyweight division helps a guy like Riggleman the most. He's fought bigger competition his entire career, and he's succeeded for the most part. His skill-set isn't lacking any one skill, and he can beat any fighter who's severely weak in one area. With opponents more his size, it's possible he strings together some big wins in 2012 and gains considerable interest. At only 26 years old, Riggleman has plenty of time to close the gap on the technical know-how he needs to succeed against stronger competition.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Jesse Riggleman after the fold...

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Name:	Sean Santela
Nickname:	Shorty Rock
Age:	27
Height:	5'5"
Location:	Whippany, New Jersey

When New Jersey-native Sean Santella (9-3-1) looks back on his life decades from now, there won't be any notion that it was a walk in the park. For the most part, nobody really believes it is. But there is a sense that some people walk a path of lesser resistance than others. Santella isn't one of them.

Raised in an apartment complex in Mount Olive, New Jersey, his life was similar to most of our own as small children, filled with long summer days playing with friends. Unfortunately, as the years passed, those small children were bombarded by the cruelty of society. As Santella told MMAJunkie.com's Kyle Nagel - "I pretty much got in trouble when I wasn't wrestling."

Today, Santella is enjoying a second chance, finding calm in the eye of the storm on the mats at AMA Fight Club in New Jersey. The 27-year-old has amassed nine wins in thirteen appearances since making his professional debut three-and-a-half years ago. Despite losing his debut to UFC veteran Nick Pace, Santella wrestled his way to prominence in his next six fights, recording a 5-0-1 record before falling to fellow flyweight prospect Josh Rave.

Santella bounced back strong with wins over Mikey Lovato, Sidemar Honorio, and Tito Jones, but he once again ran into a brick wall, this time against #2-ranked 2012 World MMA Bantamweight Scouting Report prospect Aljamain Sterling at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 11 in October. He rebounded this past weekend, submitting Bryan Lashomb at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 13 at his natural weight of 125 lbs.

Similarly to his life, Santella's path to getting on this year's report was labored. He was considered for the bantamweight division, but he's naturally more suited for the flyweight division. Strangely, he hasn't had problems with larger bantamweight fighters, and his losses have actually come against fighters who have been linked to the flyweight division in the past.

Size isn't the issue, it's his style. He's heavily dependent on his wrestling skills, and for the most part - his opponents have a hard time stopping his relentless attack. He controls his enemies well from the top, pounding on them with peppering strikes while looking for submissions. In the past, he hasn't been great at finding those opportunities, but in recent bouts - he's become very dangerous, aggressively attacking limbs and threatening opponents throughout battles.The problem, however, is that he's left himself open to attacks when attempting those submissions, and it's put him on the end of some brutal ground and pound in the past.

On the feet, Santella needs a lot of work. It's his most glaring weakness, and he could use all the help he can get from the guys at AMA Fight Club to improve those skills and give his overall skill-set some diversity. Without it, Santella may never break out as a future upper-echelon talent. Despite the hole in his game, he still possesses the wrestling and submission skills to stack up well against most opponents, and he's physically one of the most in-shape athletes on the countdown. That athleticism can go a long way to helping Santella maintain his status as a top prospect while improving his skills to ascend to the next level.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Most footage of Santella is available on GFL.tv, but there are a couple of fights after the fold...

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Photo by Tatame
Name:	Claudir Dutkevis
Nickname:	--
Age:	28
Height:	--
Location:	Caxias do Sul, Brazil

Shocking that we've landed in Brazil once again, isn't it? We're ahead of schedule on this return trip, but to our more committed readers -- it's an inevitable journey at this point. Brazil is a breeding ground for top-tier talent, and the 125 lb. weight class is no exception.

Tata Fight Team member Claudir Dutkevis (10-0) is the perfect reason for our early journey to South America. The 28-year-old has recorded ten victories since his debut in 2006, and he's remained unbeaten in his six-year career, capping off his 2011 campaign with his fourth win of the year, an unanimous decision victory over Bronx's Gold Team stud Junior Maranhao at Real Fight 8 in December.

While his undefeated record might be impressive on the surface, the truth lies in the details. His strength of record is below average at best, so it's difficult to label Claudir as a promising at this point. The "eyeball" test, however, reveals details that might get many fans excited at the prospect of seeing him fight better competition.

A Muay Thai black belt who possesses a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Claudir is surprisingly well-rounded, wielding an extensive arsenal of weapons on the feet ranging from combination punching to a diverse clinch and kicking attack. Normally, that leads to his adversaries scrambling to bring the fight to the ground.

Stronger competition would likely take advantage of his novice status as a grappler, but under the tutelage of Giovanni Reis and Otavio Tata Duarte -- Claudir has obtained a dangerous style of grappling that consistently threatens despite his inferior positioning. He possesses a high, active guard that continually seeks armbars and triangle choke transitions. Against the weaker competition he's faced, it has worked brilliantly to keep his opponents at bay, allowing him to eventually find his way back to his feet where he has outstruck everyone he's faced.

Claudir's progression as a grappler is great to see, and if he can round out his base with a savvy submission game to supplement his effective striking -- look out. Ultimately, Claudir needs to fight better competition to test himself, so I'm hesitant to believe he'll be in the UFC come December. A couple more battles against noticeably better competition should put him on the radar, especially if he was noticed at the The Ultimate Fighter Brazil tryouts.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Josh Rave, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Claudir Dutkevis after the fold...

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Name:	Kevin Belingon
Nickname:	The Silencer
Age:	24
Height:	5'5"
Location:	Manila, Philippines

Relegated to the honorable mention spot on this year's bantamweight report, Filipino striker Kevin Belingon (9-0) has finally convinced us that he's worthy of a spot on our countdown... at flyweight. Standing at 5'5" tall, it's sensible to believe Belingon will eventually make the transition to 125 lbs. If his small stature wasn't enough of a hint, the birth of the UFC's own flyweight division is surely the extra motivation he needs to cut the weight.

It isn't, however, a requirement. After all, Belingon has performed admirably at 135 lbs., amassing an undefeated record of nine wins that includes a victory over twenty-plus fight veteran Justin Cruz (18-4) in only his fourth professional bout. Unfortunately, the recurring theme with fighters from the Philippines has been the lack of challenging competition, and Belingon is no exception. His record is littered with sub-par opposition.

Luckily, that's all about to change when he kicks off his newly-signed contract with One Fighting Championships in March against Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari. It will be the toughest test of his career, not only because Imanari's experience, but because Imanari's style clashes with Belingon's striking-centric offense.

While his ground tactics aren't on the level of a novice, Belingon lacks savvy submission prowess or an effective offense off his back. From top control, he can work over opponents with a competent ground and pound attack, but he still lacks diversity on the canvas.

Belingon excels on the feet, however, utilizing his Wushu roots to beat opponents with speed and ferocity in the striking department. If he can avoid Imanari's trickery and takedown game, Belingon has a solid chance at upsetting the favorite. If he loses, the cut down to 125 lbs. may become more enticing.

We're convinced that Belingon will eventually find his way into the flyweight division. A loss will likely press the issue, but Belingon can't be oblivious to his clear size disadvantage at 135 lbs. On the plus side, the Asian scene features a solid flyweight talent pool for Belingon to test himself against, and a few wins on that circuit should produce interest stateside.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Josh Rave, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Kevin Belingon after the fold...

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Name:	Magomed Malikov
Nickname:	--
Age:	28
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Russia

Claiming the top spot on the 2012 World MMA Heavyweight Scouting Report is none other than Russia's Magomed Malikov (6-1). The Dagestani fighter has recorded an impressive 4-1 record in five appearances in 2011, capping off the year with a violent knockout victory over Pride veteran Aleksander Emelianenko at M-1 Challenge 28 in November. The 28-year-old dispatched of Emelianenko in a mere twenty-three seconds, an amazing feat considering Malikov was given one week's notice of the bout.

Malikov slipped into our preliminary rankings back in August after he dominated Alexey Oleinik and Yuri Gorbenko in a one-night tournament in July in Anapa, Russia. He previously suffered a setback at the hands of Baga Agaev in the Ukrainian Association for Martial Arts' Warrior's Honor 5 tournament finale, losing via armbar in only one minute and forty-five seconds. Malikov had won the first UAMA heavyweight tournament at Warrior's Honor 3 in October of 2010, knocking out Evgeni Babich and Vitali Yalovenko.

He vaulted in our rankings by beating a legitimate competitor in Aleksander Emelianenko, but he was already an interesting prospect well before the opportunity presented itself. The Dagestani hand-to-hand fighting champion is a vicious puncher, wielding nasty knockout power both on the feet and from top control. He's short, but his stocky build and strong base keep him grounded and make it difficult for opponents to move him. As opponents attempt to break him down on the feet, his unrelenting attack wears opponents thin, usually opening them up to counters and Malikov's eventual transition to mount.

Malikov is one of the few prospects in the heavyweight talent pool with enormous potential moving forward. He isn't the most defensively sound fighter, nor does he possess overwhelming quickness and technical prowess, although from a technical standpoint -- there were major improvements in his stance and technique in the Emelianenko fight. What he does wield is a destructive combination of knockout power, excellent balance, good conditioning, and a merciless strategy of constantly moving forward, battering his adversaries with heavy hands and brute force. Malikov's continued improvement will assure his status at the #1 heavyweight prospect in 2012.

Footage of Magomed Malikov after the fold...

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Name:	Magomed Abdurahimov
Nickname:	--
Age:	28
Height:	6'2"
Location:	Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia

On December 24th in the Dagestani city of Makhachkala, a small, prestigious one-night mixed martial arts tournament took place at the Ali Aliev Sports Complex. No, this isn’t the cheap version of Warrior. Presumably, the event was a showcase of Makhachkala’s hometown hero and 2011 World MMA Scouting Report prospect Shamil Abdurahimov, who hadn’t fought for nine months since winning the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championships’ tournament crown, but it ended up being a coming-out party for his younger brother, Magomed Abdurahimov (2-0).

The 28-year-old Sanda specialist defeated Pro FC veteran Yuri Gorbenko in the semifinals of the four-man tournament, peppering the thirteen-fight veteran with strikes on the feet and cruising to a clear cut decision victory. The win wasn’t an eye opener by any stretch of the imagination, but it did give fans a sense of what Magomed brings to the table. Notably, he offers a style that is the converse of his brother’s focused ground attack.

Magomed’s Sanda roots were on full display, snapping off an extremely quick jab and a relentless mix of kicks to the legs and body. Gorbenko didn’t stand a chance, but his opponent in the finals, #3-ranked 2012 World MMA Heavyweight Scouting Report prospect Alexei Kudin, would provide a stiffer challenge. Shockingly, Magomed blasted Kudin with a couple of crisp combinations, nearly flooring Kudin with a three-punch combo that bloodied him in the first round. Kudin managed to make it a close contest on the scorecards, a split decision, but from my own perspective of the fight -- Abdurahimov clearly won two of the three rounds to win the tournament.

Magomed still needs to work on his defense, specifically on the feet. As his bout with Kudin dragged on, his hands got lazy, leaving his chin open for Kudin’s counters. His most glaring weakness could be his grappling chops, but we didn't get a sense of where he stands during his tournament run. His own brother Shamil could help him immensely in that department. With better wrestling and continued improvement of his takedown defense, there is no question that Magomed could continue his ascension and become the best prospect in Europe by the end of 2012.

All footage of Magomed Abdurahimov can be found at GFL.tv

Photo by Elena Bondarenko
Name:	Alexei Kudin
Nickname:	--
Age:	27
Height:	6'1"
Location:	Minsk, Belarus

Junior dos Santos' dominating rise to the top of the UFC's heavyweight division has caused many fans to re-think what weapons elite heavyweights need in order to compete at the highest level. Obviously, a well-balanced skill-set is the desired goal, but the daunting task of mastering both the striking and grappling is an unrealistic goal for 99% of the fighters in the sport. Right now, strikers with phenomenal takedown defense are the alpha dogs in the UFC's heavyweight division.

Eastern European kickboxer turned mixed martial artist Alexei Kudin (9-4) is ascending the international ranks utilizing the same style that pugilists like Overeem and Dos Santos have been implementing inside the Octagon. After beginning his foray into MMA with a 1-3 record back in 2002 when he was only 17 years old, he returned in March of 2010 at a M-1 Challenge event in his home country of Belarus, punching Denis Ivanets into submission in only one minute and fifty-eight seconds.

A year after his initial return, he ramped up his efforts to carve a career out for himself in the sport. Over the course of a single year, Kudin fought eight times, six of those battles taking place in one night tournaments. Under the Pro FC banner, Kudin knocked out both Wojciech Bulinski and Semion Borsh at the East European leg of the ProFC Grand Prix Global tournament. He moved on to the ProFC Grand Prix Global Finals in early December, beating down Dmitry Poberezhets in the semifinals and crushing Kazbek Saidaliev in two minutes and twenty-two seconds in the final. Fourteen days later, he entered the WUFC Challenge of Champions tournament, edging 2011 World MMA Scouting Report prospect Konstantin Gluhov before being defeated by Shamil Abdurahimov's brother, Magomed Abdurahimov, in the tournament finale.

Despite the recent setback, Kudin, since his return, has recorded a 8-1 record in two years, showcasing proven knockout power and a technically superior striking game in comparison to most of his opposition. The seven-time world champion in Muay Thai mixes it up well on the feet, throwing body blows, heavy kicks to the legs and body, and hooks to the chin.

On the ground, Kudin needs extensive work, mainly on his ability to escape to his feet from his back. Opponents have been able to put him on his back with success, but his ability to keep their posture down and force inactivity has helped him so far. That won't be so easy against stiffer competition, especially against anyone with a solid shot that can grapple. Luckily, there aren't many heavyweights with those skills currently in the sport in Europe.

Kudin has enormous potential if he can improve his takedown defense and add some semblance of a grappling base to his arsenal. It seems crazy to rank Kudin so high without a decent ground game, but the fact of the matter is that Kudin has successfully laid waste to opponents who continually try to bring him to the ground in the past. He's good enough in the scramble to land stunning shots, and his power gives him a major advantage in every fight. With some time, Kudin could reach a level of skill that stacks up against the stiffer competition that awaits him in the U.S.

Footage of Alexei Kudin after the jump...

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Photo by Jennie Finken Photography
Name:	Chris Birchler
Nickname:	The Big Buck
Age:	24
Height:	6'3"
Location:	New Jersey

If you've followed this year's report diligently, you've likely discovered a trend. Many of America's top prospects have been born or bred in the Northeastern region of the United States. Aljamain Sterling, Claudio Ledesma, Joey Gambino, Tom DeBlass, and Kyle Cerminara to just name a few. Adding to the laundry list of great talent is 24-year-old heavyweight brute Chris Birchler (1-0).

Birchler was a two-time NCAA Division I national qualifier during his wrestling career at both East Stroudsburg University and Edinboro University. While he never attained the acclaim of a national championship or even a runner-up honor, NCAA Division I credentials are few and far between in MMA's heavyweight division. Those credentials have put Birchler on a quickened path to success, helping him demolish his first three amateur opponents and defeating Wing Chun stylist Shawn Obasi in his debut at Ring of Combat 37.

Birchler was scheduled to appear in ProElite's eight-man heavyweight tournament field along such greats at Ryan Martinez and Mark Ellis, and he was, at least from my own perspective, a heavy tournament favorite. Unfortunately, the contract terms weren't good enough to gain his services.

Similarly to many of AMA Fight Club's most prominent fighters, Birchler's style is reliant on his wrestling skills bringing the fight to the ground. He already has the know-how to pass guard and move to better positions, allowing his hands to do the talking in the form of a vicious ground and pound attack.

At this stage in his career, it's obvious that holes exist in his overall skill-set. His submission game is a work in progress, and his striking skills are lacking. Regardless of those issues, it's difficult to believe Birchler won't rise to the top of the talent pool, especially with the excellent training he receives at AMA Fight Club. As one of the larger fighters on our countdown with solid wrestling ability, 2012 could prove to be fruitful for Birchler if he can remain active. Look for interest to rise by the end of the year.

Watch Birchler in action as he takes on Marcus Taylor at Ring of Combat 39 on February 10.

Footage of Chris Birchler after the jump...

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Name:	Adam Parkes
Nickname:	--
Age:	30
Height:	6'3"
Location:	United Kingdom

Surprisingly, the United Kingdom has been absent so far on the 2012 World MMA Scouting Report. Considering the fact that it was one of the UFC's first international destinations, it's difficult to believe the region isn't producing quality talent in numbers by now. As a whole, however, the scene still lacks a higher quantity of quality trainers, and it still suffers from a lack of quality competition, leading many of the region's most promising prospects into a shark tank they aren't prepared to take on. In the case of England's Adam Parkes (3-0), however, there are always outliers to the norm.

The 30-year-old Wolfslair fighter has recorded three victories since going pro in May of 2010. He zapped Nikki Kent with a head kick in only nineteen seconds at Fight UK 1, then punched out Valentin Trifonov in one minute and forty-six seconds at OMMAC 5 a month later. He followed up those impressive performances with a technical knockout victory over Ben Whitehead at OMMAC 11 in November, roughly fifteen months after his win over Trifonov.

If I were to describe those bouts without any video evidence, "comical" is the word I'd use. Parkes annihilated his competition, completely overwhelming each and every opponent put in front of him. He nonchalantly strolled out to the center of the cage and kicked Nikki Kent head off. He nearly did the same to Paul Pestell in an amateur bout under the Knuckle Up MMA banner in 2011, except Pestell actually blocked the kick. Unfortunately, the force of the blow floored him, leaving him wide open for a beating that ended the bout.

Parkes' extensive background in Karate and Muay Thai are his obvious means to demoralizing and destroying his competition. He's an enormous striker with versatility, quickness, and strength in his attacks, battering opponent after opponent with a mix of kicks, punches, and knees that nobody has been able to withstand so far.

Defensively, he's shown a great sprawl and stifling defense to takedowns, usually countering with a strong ground and pound attack. From top control, Parkes possesses a basic understanding of how to control his opponents, enough to keep them at bay while he blasts through their defenses with heavy punches.

For fans hoping to see a brutish heavyweight killer in the Scouting Report ranks, Adam Parkes might be your guy. Concerns do, however, lie in the strength of his competition, but some of that criticism is deflated by the fact that he helps UFC veterans such as Cheick Kongo and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson train. At the very least, he has a sense of what it takes to compete at the highest level from those sessions.

Parkes could become one of the best prospects on the 2012 World MMA Heavyweight Scouting Report, but he'll need to escape the clutches of England's poor heavyweight talent pool to prove it. As thin as the division is worldwide, the UFC may sign him before that happens. Parkes' next bout will take place at OMMAC 13 in March against Deividas Banaitis. Beyond that, look for Parkes to begin fielding offers for bigger fights internationally.

Footage of Adam Parkes after the jump...

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Name:	Richardson Moreira
Nickname:	Monstro
Age:	27
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Brazil

If you think about it, Brazil hasn't produced heavyweight talent in massive quantities over the years. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, and possibly Antonio Silva are the names most fans would know, but past those elite fighters - Brazil hasn't produced the quantity that they have in other weight classes. Quality, however, isn't an issue.

Adding to the Brazilian heavyweight contingent is Team Nogueira's Richardson Moreira (3-0). Standing at a shredded 6'3", Moreira has laid waste to his opposition, spending less than five minutes total inside the cage in three career bouts. His most recent bout at Max Fight 9 in July was his longest, lasting three minutes and four seconds before he tapped Haime Moraes by Achilles lock.

Moreira's offense is primary focused on the ground game. He wields a powerful physique that allows him to slam opponents to the ground violently, and he's proficient in the clinch, working for single and double legs along the fence to dump opponents. Once on the ground, Moreira is a far better grappler than most of his competition in the regional scene. He can maintain back and top control with ease, transition to leg locks or armbars quickly, and batter his adversaries with brutal ground and pound if the opportunity presents itself.

On the feet, his weaknesses are apparent. He isn't comfortable defending incoming strikes, and his defense seems to hinge on moving backwards and bobbing away from blows lethargically. He is somewhat of a ticking time bomb in that he decides to aggressively go for broke without any rhyme or reason, and his chin is open to counters during those moments of carelessness. Those spurts have, however, allowed him to easily hit takedowns from covered up opponents trying to avoid damage.

Under Team Nogueira, Moreira can improve on his lacking stand-up game and continue honing his grappling skills. The potential is there for him to become a well-balanced fighter who can attack in any place a fight may take him. It's clear, however, that he favors the ground, and luckily for him - the division doesn't feature a large quantity of grappling-centric fighters who will give him a run for his money. At this stage in his career, his savvy submission game can take him places, possibly into a major promotion, while he works on his striking. The thin division in Brazil should allow Moreira to progress quickly, possibly into the limelight by mid-to-late 2012.

Footage of Richardson Moreira after the jump...

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Photo by Mark Johnston, Daily Herald
Name:	Jan Jorgensen
Nickname:	Janimal
Age:	25
Height:	6'2"
Location:	Utah

Jan Jorgensen (1-0) is no stranger to the sound of two burly heavyweight athletes clashing in the midst of a heated battle for real estate. That was, in a nutshell, his job when he played defensive end for Brigham Young University, pushing, pulling, juking, and spinning his way past his opponent to sack the quarterback. Now, his aim isn't to move past his opponents. It's to break them.

Jorgensen's foray into the sport began in September of 2010, beating fellow collegiate football player Jerzy Siewierski by technical knockout in the third round of an amateur bout at Showdown Fights: Respect. He followed up the victory with a first round technical knockout of Felix Guel four months later at Showdown Fights: New Blood, then submitted Jeff Prescott in the first round at Showdown Shootout in April, improving his amateur record to 3-0.

In his pro debut at Showdown Fights: Evolution in November, Jorgensen continued his dominance, defeating Lolo Tuiaki by technical knockout when he couldn't answer the bell in the third round. It was an expected outcome considering Jorgensen's talented background and surprisingly well-rounded skill-set.

Feeding off a high school wrestling background and the skills it takes to move powerful, explosive offensive lineman out of his path, the 25-year-old is expectedly effective in the takedown department. He has a basic understanding of position on the ground, and he can control opponents from the top while he moves to more dominant positions or beats up opposition with ground and pound.

His stand-up game is surprisingly diverse for a novice fighter. He can work from the clinch, the Thai Plum, and from distance, mixing up his strikes and throwing combinations. He also possesses sufficient conditioning, enough to keep a pace that surpasses his opponent's rate of attack.

The jury is still out on whether Jorgensen can compete against better competition. Fortunately, the division isn't deep, and a few more wins should bring bigger names into the mix. Despite only having one fight under his belt as a pro, Jorgensen is worth keeping tabs on. He could make considerable progress in 2012. Look for him at Showdown Fights: Breakout on February 24 when he battles fellow prospect Aaron Magro.

Footage of Jan Jorgensen after the jump...

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Name:	David Oliva
Nickname:	The Mayan Assassin
Age:	28
Height:	5'11"
Location:	Chicago, Illinois

Here we are, fight fans, standing at the base of the mountain, ready to ascend to the peak to reveal MMA's best heavyweight mixed martial arts talent. I'll be frank. It's more of a hill than a mountain. But there is potential in many of the prospects we've picked to grace our report this year.

Illinois-native David Oliva (6-0) begins the countdown, claiming the #10 spot on this year's report. Undefeated in six professional bouts, Oliva has been on an extended layoff since defeating Chuck Hoskins at an event in Milwaukee in August of 2010. He was scheduled to face Justin Lemke at Bellator 29 in September of the same year, but experienced weight issues in the lead-up to the bout, forcing him to withdraw.

A little over a year later, in November, Oliva resurfaced to battle 2011 Scouting Report prospect Shamil Abdurahimov at Pro FC 37 in Russia. The bout never happened, continuing Oliva's dry spell into 2012.

Before his lengthy absence, Oliva was gaining attention as one of the few heavyweight prospects in the talent pool with the wrestling skills to smother legitimate opposition. He worked over 2011 Scouting Report prospect Konstantin Gluhov at KSW 13 in May, slamming him to the ground with incredible strength and controlling him for three rounds. He did the same to the majority of his opponents.

Oliva lacks the size and stand-up skills to be considered a well-balanced mixed martial artist. He does, however, know how to play to his strengths. A powerful wrestler with sufficient conditioning and an iron will, Oliva is capable of relentlessly powering through his adversaries. If he can resolve the weight problems and gain a submission game, there's no doubt Oliva will have some momentum heading into tougher fights. It doesn't take much to get interest from the UFC or Bellator if you're a heavyweight, and a little consistency and a few wins can go a long way in helping Oliva sign a major league contract this year.

Oliva is scheduled to fight Karol Bedorf on February 25 at KSW 18.

Footage of David Oliva after the jump...

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Name:	Phelipe Lins
Nickname:	Monstro
Age:	26
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

We're getting down to the best that the light heavyweight talent pool has to offer, and naturally Brazil is once again our destination. This time, however, we'll focus on exactly what casual fans crave. At #2 on the 2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, fleet-footed Brazilian "Monstro" Phelipe Lins (5-0) claims this year's runner-up spot, bringing an exciting brand of pugilism that's sure to get fans talking.

The 6'3" giant recently returned to the sport in July, dispatching of Daniel Alexandre in four minutes and forty seconds at Rockstrike MMA 1. He had previously recorded four straight wins back in 2005 and 2006 before leaving the sport for five years. While the cause of his long layoff is unknown, it isn't uncommon to see gaps in employment due to a lack of funds.

Before the unfortunate hiatus, Lins was on a tear, beating solid veterans during his baby steps in the sport. Lins' gigantic frame and long reach assisted in his success, but his punching prowess is his greatest asset. Quick and powerful, Lins works from range with ferocity, bombing adversaries with crisp combinations and stinging kicks.

Defensively, Lins needs some minor adjustments. He leaves his chin exposed in exchanges often. While it isn't a huge concern right now because his opposition can't reach him or counter while being bombed on, better strikers and longer fighters could find his chin and threaten his unbeaten streak.

Lins has the talent to become a legitimate upper-echelon light heavyweight fighter. He hits like a freight train, throws crisp, polished combinations, and possesses solid takedown defense. We have, however, heard reports that he isn't as dedicated as he could be in the gym. That will have to change moving forward. If he can improve upon his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and become more consistent in the gym, there's no reason he can't find major success. I anticipate Lins finding his way onto The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil or signing outright in 2012.

Footage of Phelipe Lins after the jump...

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Photo by Keith Mills, Sherdog
Name:	Tom DeBlass
Nickname:	--
Age:	29
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Forked River, New Jersey

Tom DeBlass (6-0) is no stranger to the sweaty mats that fill every mixed martial arts gym in America. But that isn't because he's been part of the booming population of athletes in their twenties making the transition to the sport. He's taken a slightly different approach.

During his college years at Monmouth University in West Long Beach, New Jersey, DeBlass became enamored with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so much, in fact, that he eventually found his way to UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida's academy. There, he forged what became a lifelong friendship with Almeida, training and eventually attaining a black belt under his guidance.

By 2006, DeBlass was the co-captain of Almeida's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition team. In the three years leading up the captaincy, he had won a number of NAGA and Grapplers' Quest championships, but grander accomplishments came later when DeBlass took home the 2009 East Coast ADCC North American Trials championship and a bronze medal at the 2009 No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships.

Naturally, DeBlass transitioned from pure grappling to full-fledged fighting in 2010, debuting professionally at Ring of Combat 30 last June against J.A. Dudley. He won by unanimous decision. A little over three months later, he stopped Tom Velasquez twenty seconds into the second round. Wins over Mitch Whitesel, Mike Stewart, and UFC veteran Sean Salmon increased his unblemished mark to five wins, and he capped off 2011 with a victory over Georgian M-1 veteran Davit Tkeshelashvili at Ring of Combat 38.

Much of DeBlass' success stems from the obvious advantage he possesses on the ground. He wields an effective top control game, using it to transition to dominant positions in which he can threaten by either submission or a prolonged beating.

What separates DeBlass from grappling-heavy prospects is his well-balanced skill-set. He isn't the most proficient striker by any means, but he's proven that he can beat opponents if the fight remains standing. With more training and focus on the technical aspects of striking, DeBlass could see more wins produced by knockout, especially if opponents disrespect the deceptive power he possesses.

DeBlass is also one of the hardest working prospects on the entire 2012 Scouting Report, training, at the very least, six days a week, two to three times a day, and traveling over 1000 miles in that time. He trains with Ricardo Almeida on all things MMA, fine tunes his boxing with Mark Henry, Frankie Edgar's boxing coach, and gets his strength and conditioning in with Brian Blue at All-Star Sports Academy. To say that DeBlass is prepared is an understatement.

I fully expect to see significant improvements in DeBlass' overall game when he steps into the cage against Tiger Schulmann's Carlos Brooks on February 2 at Ring of Combat 39. Depending how the title defense goes, it isn't unfathomable that DeBlass' phone will be ringing quickly afterward. He has all the tools to succeed at the highest levels. The only thing left is to prove it.

Check out a highlight reel of Tom's after the jump. Get a subscription at GFL.tv to view Tom's fights and upcoming cards such as all Ring of Combat events.

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Name:	Misha Cirkunov
Nickname:	--
Age:	24
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Canada

Is Latvia the next region to explode with quality mixed martial arts talent? Probably not, but for thirteen years - it was home to one of MMA's most talked about light heavyweight prospects in Misha Cirkunov (5-1). The 24-year-old emigrated from Latvia to Canada when he was thirteen years old, immediately making an impact in the Canadian wrestling and Judo scenes. By age 16, Cirkunov was the #1-ranked Judo player in the country and dominating the competition on the high school wrestling circuit.

Inevitably, Cirkunov got involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under trainer Sam Zakula at Xtreme Couture Toronto. Four years after he dominated the amateur wrestling and Judo circuits, Cirkunov was taking gold at the 2007 ADCC North American Jiu-Jitsu Trials.

If being a quick study wasn't enough, Cirkunov is a prime physical specimen, wielding an enormous 6'3" frame of pure muscle. With his hulking frame and vast background in various grappling arts, Cirkunov is a dominating presence inside the cage, tossing opponents around with ease and threatening from top control.

Cirkunov could become a dangerous power grappler with more experience and technical refinement. He possesses a powerful ground and pound attack, but he lacks the striking skills for anyone to consider him well-rounded. Cirkunov has, however, stated that improving those skills is a priority for him moving forward.

A loss to Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter Roy Boughton in June of 2010 took a little wind out of his sails early in his career, but it's forgivable considering his novice status in the sport at the time. Since then, he's rattled off four straight wins, capping off his 2011 campaign with a victory over Ali Mokdad at The Score Fighting Series 3 in December. He also dominated at Grappler's Quest at the UFC Fan Expo during UFC 129 in Toronto. With any luck, the UFC was paying attention, and they've got their eye on Cirkunov.

Footage of Misha Cirkunov in action after the jump...

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Photo by Kevin Wuchter, TheGarv
Name:	Kyle Cerminara
Nickname:	--
Age:	28
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Philadelphia, PA

The long, arduous journey of becoming a world-class wrestler is likely one of the most grueling goals, both physically and mentally, that anyone could ever attempt to accomplish. For Pennsylvania's Kyle Cerminara (2-0), the journey ultimately led to the biggest letdown of his life, but as the old adage says - as one door closes, another door opens.

The 2004 NCAA Division I All-American tried to create a dream of Olympic glory when he moved to Colorado in 2007-2008 to train at the U.S. Olympic training center. It nearly paid off, placing second at both the 2009 Pan-American Championships and U.S. Open. Unfortunately for Kyle, he was never able to attain a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, only earning a consolation prize of an alternate position on the world team.

Three years later, Cerminara is now an assistant wrestling coach at the University of Pennsylvania. At 28 years old, however, he didn't feel it was too late to take advantage of what wrestling could do for him in the sport of mixed martial arts.

Following his debut victory over Ariel Sepulveda at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 7 in April, Cerminara won Bellator's open tryouts at Daddis Fight Camps' Cherry Hill gym in New Jersey. Not exactly a shocking revelation when you consider Cerminara's vast background in wrestling, but it is nonetheless impressive considering his novice status in the sport.

Cerminara followed up the tryout with a win over John Doyle at a Locked in the Cage event in August, once again utilizing his smothering wrestling skills to win on the scorecards. As one would expect, Cerminara relies heavily on his athleticism and know-how in the wrestling department to crush his opponents. He's a sizeable light heavyweight fighter with brute strength and excellent conditioning. His only flaw is his lack of knowledge in the ground arts, specifically in the submission game.

That could all change under the guidance of Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts Phil and Ricardo Migliarese. The brothers run Balance Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they are a pivotal piece to helping Cerminara obtain the skills he needs to succeed this year. If Cerminara can add a savvy submission game to his arsenal, fans may be comparing him to Chris Weidman by the end of the 2012, possibly earning him a shot in one of Bellator's coveted tournaments.

Unfortunately, there is only wrestling footage of Cerminara that's easily available. If you happen to be a GFL.tv customer, you can access Cerminara's debut.

Name:	Robert Drysdale
Nickname:	--
Age:	29
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Las Vegas, Nevada

2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club champion Robert Drysdale (3-0) hasn't been in any rush to dive into the sport of mixed martial arts. At 29 years old, he's a late starter in the sport, but he isn't new to one of the most integral parts of MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Drysdale's resume is miles long, sporting multiple world and Brazilian national championships to his name. Now, he's attempting to bring that same success to the cage.

Since debuting at Armageddon Fighting Championships 3 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada last July, Drysdale has collected three straight wins, submitting all of his opposition inside the opening frame. His longest bout, against Clay Davidson at AFC 4 last November, lasted a mere two minutes and six seconds. He followed up the victory with his quickest win to date, a one-minute and four second guillotine choke submission of The Ultimate Fighter season 3 contestant Mike Nickels at AFC 6 in June.

Expectedly, Drysdale is a phenomenal topside grappler who also has the know-how to reverse positions from his back. Nothing new there, and it's something we've come to expect from world-class grapplers. He's the consummate submission specialist, and any opponent, even seasoned veterans, will have a hard time dealing with his entangling Jiu-Jitsu.

Surprisingly, Drysdale's takedown game has played a pivotal role in his success thus far. It's allowed him to take the fight to the ground immediately where his strengths lie, and it's the biggest reason why Drysdale has quickly taken out his opposition.

We haven't, however, seen a prolonged striking attack, so the jury is still out on whether it can act as a means to winning a fight. Drysdale will undoubtedly run into tougher competition that can stuff his shots, and that could spell disaster for his aspirations of becoming a UFC champion. Luckily, with the support of the veteran fighters of Xtreme Couture and the connections he's made in Brazil, Drysdale has many of the world's best MMA trainers at his disposal.

Inactivity has plagued Drysdale's quick ascension through the ranks, but he has stated in recent interviews that 2012 will be his year to shine. He's vowed to make his MMA career a priority, so expect big things from Drysdale this year.

Check out video footage of Robert Drysdale after the jump...

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Photo by Gleidson Venga, Sherdog
Name:	Thiago Perpetuo
Nickname:	Bodao
Age:	24
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Sao Paulo, Brazil

The first Brazilian to claim a spot on the 2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report is Sao Paulo, Brazil-native Thiago Perpetuo (8-1-1). The Furacao Fight Team member has recorded eight wins since his debut back in April of 2009, scoring seven finishes, six by way of knockout. He's currently enjoying a four-fight win streak, beating Willians Santos at Jungle Fight 26 in April and most recently knocking out Edgar Castaldelli Filho at Max Fight 9 in July.

Perpetuo's stand-up game is his most effective means to beating the competition. He's methodical in his approach, boxing up adversaries with powerful combinations to the legs, ribs, and chin. By mixing it up and using a ranged attack, Perpetuo not only avoids counter attacks, but he doesn't overexert himself. That's an important key to his success as most opponents cannot keep up with his pace in the latter rounds, faltering against the pressure he produces.

On the ground, Perpetuo isn't actively hunting for submissions, nor is he a proven takedown machine. He is, however, effective from top control, usually working for takedowns in the late rounds and mauling his exhausted opponents.

His defense to takedowns is mediocre at best, and that's an area of concern as he moves up the ranks. To defend against ground and pound, Perpetuo administers damage control by holding down his opponent's posture, usually forcing a stand-up due to inaction. Not a great plan for the future, especially against opponents with better endurance and power.

Luckily, Perpetuo is quick and elusive, slyly scrambling out from underneath opponents or reversing positions. He may get into bad positions early in fights, but it has been a certainty so far in his career that his competition can't outlast his pace. At only 24 years old, Perpetuo has enormous potential with only minor flaws.

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Photo by Instinct MMA
Name:	Steve Bosse
Nickname:	The Boss
Age:	30
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Nobody gave Steve Bosse (9-1) a chance of becoming something more than a novelty act when he made his mixed martial arts debut in the summer of '07. The sport had already dealt with a number of tough guys who figured their success in one sport would ultimately lead to success in MMA. Most were wrong, and Bosse fell under the same assumptions.

Fortunately, Bosse did have experience in the world of fisticuffs, racking up a high of 253 penalty minutes (PIMs) during the 2006-2007 hockey season for the Saint-Jean Chiefs of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey. He ended his seven season minor league career in 2008-2009 with a grand total of 1363 PIMs , and he was considered the #1 enforcer in the LNAH.

A loss to Icho Larenas at TKO 31 in December of '07 could have been the nail in the coffin for his career. A confirmation that his entry into the sport was, in fact, a joke. Four years later, however, Bosse has put together an impressive streak of wins, knocking out UFC veteran Houston Alexander and Strikeforce veteran Mychal Clark. He defeated former UFC fighter Marvin Eastman by decision last February as well, increasing his overall streak to seven.

Bosse is surprisingly well-rounded and durable, wielding an increasingly dangerous striking game and respectable grappling chops. While his life has been focused on beating fellow goons to a pulp and transitioning those skills to the cage, Bosse has grown at this late stage in his athletic career, truly becoming a mixed martial artist by earning a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Those skills haven't, however, created some sort of grappling whiz kid on the mats. Bosse is defensive-minded, utilizing those skills to regain his feet and wage war toe-to-toe.

Bosse's defensive skills still need some work. His chin sits high in the pocket, and his aggression could be exploited by a pinpoint striker in the future. Regardless of those issues, Bosse is making every effort to improve. He currently calls the world-renowned Tristar Gym in Montreal his home, and he traveled to Phuket, Thailand this summer to train at Tiger Muay Thai.

At 30 years old, Bosse is a hard sell for most readers. He is, however, surprisingly motivated to succeed, and he's made all the right decisions in regards to his career. His status as a draw in Quebec will likely catch the eye of Joe Silva, and it would be a shock if the UFC didn't come calling in 2012. Right now, Bosse is on the sidelines from a broken hand he suffered in his battle with Houston Alexander. Look for him to return, likely under the Instinct MMA banner, by the spring for a tune-up fight before taking on a more challenging opponent.

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Name:	Juhn Saarinen
Nickname:	Juice
Age:	28
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Finland

Playing second fiddle to its neighbors, Finland is normally on the losing end when it comes to inter-regional clashes. In the light heavyweight division, however, the tables have turned. Beginning our countdown on the 2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, 28-year-old Finn Juha Saarinen (7-1) claims his spot, proving that Sweden and Norway aren't the only countries with top notch talent.

Saarinen has only recently gotten back up on the horse after years of battling injuries. He finally returned from his most recent layoff on December 2, punching out Frenchman Frederic Lefevre (6-6) at Cage: Challenger II in Riihimaki, Finland. He had dispatched of Spain's Enoc Solves Torres (10-4) at the third round leg of M-1 Selection 2010's Western Europe series eighteen months prior, submitting him via kimura in only three minutes and nine seconds.

Despite having a history of run-ins with injury, Saarinen remains one of the best grappling talents in Scandinavia. His long 6'3" frame is his most effective physical attribute, helping him wrap up the opposition and threaten with savvy submission skills.

On the feet, Saarinen can use his natural length to work a jab from range. Unfortunately, he isn't diverse or proficient, relying more on feints and footwork to find a means to taking his opponents down than actually boxing up opponents. He seems to be solid in tripping up opponents and landing in top control, but don't count on Saarinen to lay waste to the chins of his adversaries.

Saarinen has potential if he can round out his skill-set and stay injury-free. So far, he's on track as he has a scheduled bout against M-1 veteran Mikhail Zayats (14-6) at Cage 18 on March 3. A win there will undoubtedly put him on the map with promotions like Bellator and the UFC.

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Photo by Arthur Castro, GracieMag
Name:	Antonio Braga Neto
Nickname:	--
Age:	24
Height:	6'3"
Location:	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil runs away with a clean sweep of the top three as slimmed down light heavyweight Antonio Braga Neto (7-1) chimes in at #1 on this year's report. The Roberto ‘Gordo' Correra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt is currently in the midst of a three-fight unbeaten streak, miraculously submitting UFC veteran Maiquel Falcao late in the second round at Amazon Forest Combat I in September.

The match-up was one of the most dramatic comebacks of 2011 as Neto took an incredible beating at the hands of Falcao in the opening round. Ferocious combinations battered Neto's midsection and chin, but the Gracie Fusion fighter survived.

The tide turned in the second as a tired Falcao couldn't deal with Neto's grappling skills, yielding to a takedown attempt that left him trying to defend against ground and pound from the top. Minutes later, after bombing Falcao with elbows and punches, Neto secured a kimura to win.

The victory was a showcase of what Neto can do when he's up against a wall. He has excellent conditioning, solid takedowns, world-class grappling chops, and an incredibly durable chin. The combination of those skills has forged an unbelievable talent that can't ever be counted out during a fight.

Neto does, however, lack a stand-up game. He'll need to add something of substance to his punching in order to stop opponents from battering him, and that applies to his defensive tactics as well. Hopefully the boys at Gracie Fusion can help.

It's difficult to look at the 2012 World MMA Middleweight Scouting Report and say that Neto is the very best fighter among the group. The reality is that the top three are heavily reliant on world-class grappling to win while other fighters further down the list are more well-rounded, but far less skilled on the ground. What exactly does that mean? It means that the talent pool at 185 lbs. isn't as deep, skill-wise, as one would hope. Among the talent on this year's report, however, Neto is the most appealing, moving down to middleweight while also possessing an extensive BJJ background, huge frame and powerful takedowns. That should solidify his spot on this year's report, and it will undoubtedly earn him a look from the world's top organizations.

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Name:	Claudio Henrique Da Silva
Nickname:	Mineiro, Hannibal
Age:	29
Height:	5'11"
Location:	England & Brazil

Who's the last pure grappling talent that broke into the sport of mixed martial arts with instant success? 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club champion Demian Maia comes to mind, and it's been almost three years since he capped off an impressive five-fight submission streak with a victory over Chael Sonnen at UFC 95. Where's the next great grappling talent out of Brazil?

You would think with an abundance of BJJ players that more savvy submission specialists would find a way to the promise land, but that just isn't the case anymore. The evolution of the sport has changed things, and there are plenty of fighters outside of Brazil who are helping spread the knowledge of the art.

There may, however, be an exception. Brazil's Claudio Henrique da Silva (8-1), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira, is plowing through the international scene with a grappling-centric attack that would make Brazil's grappling elite proud. The 29-year-old has recorded eight consecutive wins since his debut in 2007, submitting six of those eight opponents. He choked out Jean-Francois Lenogue in two minutes and fifty-one seconds at BAMMA 5 in February, and he capped off his 2011 campaign with a victory over journeyman Matt Ewin at WFC 2 in July.

Fighting as a depleted welterweight early in his career, Silva moved up to middleweight when he returned to the sport in 2010 after a three-year hiatus from the sport. Stronger and healthier, Silva continued where he left off, dismantling his competition with a solid takedown game, quick transitions, and a savvy submission game.

Unlike some of his grappling heavy predecessors, however, Silva also employs a legitimate ground and pound attack from the top. He likes to posture up to his feet and wreck his opponents, usually passing to side control or sitting into a leg lock. His style allows him multiple avenues of attack, and none of his opponents have been able to stop him so far.

Silva is an appealing fighter for a number of reasons. Quick submission specialists who can finish are attractive in their own right, but Silva can also appeal to multiple demographics. He's affiliated with London Shootfighters in England, he's Brazilian, and he speaks English. That adds a little extra incentive for his eventual suitors, and the UFC seems to be the only major organization who can benefit. Look for Joe Silva to call this year.

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Photo by borilacki-klub.com
Name:	Bojan Velickovic
Nickname:	Veli
Age:	23
Height:	5'11"
Location:	Novi Sad, Serbia

When it comes to high-quality mixed martial arts talent, the country of Serbia isn't normally in the conversation. In fact, it's hardly ever mentioned as a region that enjoys MMA, let alone producing top-tier talent. While that perception won't change in the near future, the country has to start somewhere, and 2012 is the year we get a glimpse of things to come.

Hailing from Novi Sad, Serbia, Bojan Velickovic (6-0) is likely a shock to most readers of our report. How is it that this 23-year-old, originating from Serbia, is slotted in our #4 spot? That's a good question.

Most of Bojan's appeal lies in his versatile skill-set. He's a rangy southpaw fighter with surprisingly diverse stand-ups skills. He uses his reach well, throws an effective jab, and uses kicks to keep opponents guessing. Velickovic is amazingly disciplined in his approach, executing crisp, straight combinations that have proven to be problematic for his opposition.

Those skills are, however, second to Velickovic's grappling game. While his 5'11" frame makes him vulnerable to bulkier fighters who can overpower him, he makes up for it with savvy submission skills. Five of his six wins have come by way of submission.

Interestingly enough, Velickovic made his way to the United States in August, blasting Grudge Training Center's Jason Lee (4-1) in one minute and thirty-nine seconds at Ring of Fire 41. The win not only erased some of the doubt associated with fighters from the region not finding success in the United States, but it hopefully opened up a working relationship that will bring more Serbian fighters stateside.

Velickovic has a tremendous amount of upside, but his continued progression depends on his willingness to find a better training camp. He's also stuck in a region in which he's clearly the dominant middleweight fighter. He'll have to rely on small regional promotions to put up the cash to bring in better talent to face him, which probably won't happen for awhile. If he can get a few more fights stateside and build a relationship with a top camp, a move to the U.S. in 2012 is a no-brainer.

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