Another four-event UFC month is upon us for March. Kicking things off is UFC 259 on March 9, with the second PPV of the month coming rounding out the month on March 27 with UFC 260. In between is a Fight Night and ESPN event. With all those fight cards there are plenty of prospects to have a look at for the month of March.
UFC Prospect Watch: March 2021 Edition
On March 9 three titles are on the line. The main event features Israel Adesanya looking to become a two-division champion as he moves up to light heavyweight to challenge titleholder Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. The other two title fights are Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson for the women’s featherweight championship and Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight championship.
One week later at UFC Fight Night 187, perennial contender Leon Edwards will take on the rising star Belal Muhammad. At UFC on ESPN 21 on March 20, Derek Brunson faces Kevin Holland in the evening’s main event. The final event of the month is a giant PPV with the heavyweight title up for grabs in the main event, as Stipe Miocic takes on Francis Ngannou. In the co-main event at UFC 260, Brian Ortega will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title.
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With those main event fights out of the way, why don’t we look a little deeper on the fight cards? Here is a look at the top fighters hoping to climb the UFC ladder in February.
Each and every month, The KaiZaan will do a video to accompany this months UFC prospect watch below. Make sure you give them a follow on YouTube.
UFC Prospect Watch Top 10
#10 – Hannah Goldy
**Bout was cancelled due to Goldy pulling out for unforeseen reasons
Goldy was undefeated coming into her Octagon debut. She earned a UFC contract after a victory on the Contender Series against Kali Robbins. Despite her lone setback at UFC on ESPN 5 against Miranda Granger, she still sits at #10 on our list. A big match-up is set, as she takes on Jessica Penne at UFC 260. If Goldy can get the job done, then she will be right back in the driver’s seat.
#9 – Abu Azaitar
**Result: Barriault def. Azaitar via TKO (Strikes) at 4:56 of Round 3
German fighter Abu Azaitar is on an impressive nine-fight winning streak. He has shown off his power in a number of matches but has also shown composure and tenacity by earning decisions. The 34-year-old earned a decision victory against Vitor Miranda in his promotional debut and was expected to follow that 2018 performance shortly thereafter, but two cancelled fights set him back. On March 27, at UFC 260, Azaitar will face Canadian Marc-André Barriault.
#8 – Luana Pinheiro
**Bout was cancelled and rescheduled to May 1
The Brazilian, Luana Pinheiro is not only on a six-fight winning streak, but all six of those fights have been first-round stoppages. Pinheiro stopped Stephanie Frausto at a Contender Series event to earn a UFC contract. She is an absolute killer not only on the feet but on the ground as well and will look to continue that in her upcoming fight against Randa Markos at UFC 260.
#7 – JP Buys
Result: Silva def. Buys via TKO (Punches) at 2:56 of Round 2
JP Buys impressed at a Contender Series event last year when he tapped out Jacob Silva with a first-round guillotine choke. “Young Savage” can get the job done with submissions, but he is also known for his ground and pound. The South African, fighting out of Texas will face his biggest challenge to date at UFC on ESPN 21, as he faces Brazilian Bruno Silva.
#6 – Uros Medic
Result: Medic def. Aalon Cruzby via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 1:40 of round 1
Medic is undefeated in his professional career and looks to keep that record unblemished in his upcoming fight against Aalon Cruz at UFC 259. “The Doctor” earned a UFC contract after a decisive first-round knockout against Mikey Gonzalez at a Contender Series event. Every other fight has taken place under the Alaska FC banner.
Top 5 UFC Prospect Watch – March 2021
#5 – Kyler Phillips
Result: Phillips def. Song via Unanimous Decision
Phillips is riding a three-fight winning streak, with two victories inside the Octagon. He made his promotional debut in early 2020 and earned a decision against Gabriel Silva. The man known as “Matrix” showed his true worth in his sophomore fight against Cameron Else, as he stopped him with some nasty elbows on the ground. Phillips will take on another up-and-coming star in Yadong Song at UFC 259.
#4 – Dricus Du Plessis
**Bout was cancelled due to visa issues by Du Plessis**
With only two losses on his record and 11-1 in his last 12 fights, Dricus Du Plessis is a very scary middleweight. He showed off his striking ability in his Octagon debut, as he knocked out Markus Perez last October. Of his 15 victories, Du Plessis has yet to see the judges scorecards, with nine submissions and six knockouts.
#3 – Carlos Ulberg
Result: Nzechukwu def. Ulberg via TKO (right hook and ground-and-pound) at 3:19 of round 2
It is not too often you see a fighter with a 3-0 record make their way to the UFC. In fact, Carlos Ulberg was 2-0 before winning his Contender Series fight via first round knockout against Bruno Oliveira last November. “Mr. Marvelous” next steps inside the Octagon at UFC 259 against 7-1 Kennedy Nzechukwu.
#2 – Tagir Ulanbekov
**Bout was cancelled for unforeseen reasons
The Dagestan, Tagir Ulanbekov is 12-1 and is 1-0 inside the Octagon. The 29-year-old is a submission machine, earning seven victories via tapout. At UFC on ESPN 21, Ulanbekov will take on Matheus Nicolau. Before making his way to the UFC, Ulanbekov won three fights in a row under the GFC banner.
#1 – Sean Brady
Result: Brady def. Jake Matthews via Submission (Arm-Triangle) at 3:28 of Round 3
The 28-year-old Sean Brady may have already seen the Octagon three times, but he is definitely worthy of our number one spot on the March Prospect Watch list. Brady is undefeated and 13-0 in his professional MMA career. He is a well rounded fighter who has seen the distance inside the cage, but has also finished a number of his opponents. Most recently Brady earned a second round guillotine choke victory at UFC Fight Night 175 against Christian Aguilera. At UFC 259 on March 7, Brady will fight veteran Jake Matthews.
That was the UFC prospect watch for March 2021. Let us know who you are looking forward to watching enter the Octagon.
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