Things have changed drastically, and now, in addition to the aforementioned trinity of traditional MMA markets, we not only have well-funded, well-run MMA shows and world-class MMA gyms in wrestling strongholds like the Caucasus Russian Republics, the Nordic Countries, and Poland, and Korea, but also a slew of other big shows and gyms in Canada, the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand. All the above have their arms (and their wallets) wide-open as a welcoming haven for a world-class wrestler looking to get into the fight business.
The result has been an unprecedented influx of wrestling talent from all over the globe. Keep going to read about some extremely accomplished wrestlers currently climbing the MMA ranks. But before you do, take a look at Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
Marthin Hamlet NielsenMarthin Hamlet Nielsen
Norwegian Greco-Roman star and light-heavyweight prospect Marthin Hamlet has many of the tools you want to see in an aspiring MMA champion. Size, incredible strength, great athleticism (especially for a guy his size), cardio, powerful takedowns, etc. The guy has got it all.
Having sharpened those tools on the ultra-tough, Nordic/Scandinavian Greco scene, Hamlet was a dominant age-group wrestler who progressed on to the senior level while still having well over a year of junior eligibility left. In fact, in 2011, at only 19, he won both the junior and senior world team trials and competed at the World Championships in both divisions.
A very solid Greco career netted many prestigious medals, not the least of which being bronzes from the European (2014) and Junior World (2012) Championships. And while he came up short in two attempts to make Norway's Olympic team, he was most certainly an Olympic-level talent.
Navigating the fight business like a pro, Hamlet has promoted himself and his wrestling background vigorously, even putting himself on UFC president Dana White's radar. He's also joined Frontline MMA Academy, arguably Norway's best, most complete fight team, training alongside several UFC vets, longtime MMA-wrestling coach and former NCAA Division I standout wrestler Babak Nejadmaghaddam and many others.
Fully committed to MMA, Hamlet debuted with authority, violently knocking out his opponent in seconds. Now, six fights deep and already a fantastic, well-rounded fighter, his record stands at 5-1, recently fighting tooth-and-nail in his first major title fight, and while he lost, such experience is often invaluable.
Ali Isaev
For years MMA fans awaited the inevitable arrival of true, world-class, Olympic-style wrestlers from the Caucasus region of Eurasia. The dominance these athletes continually exhibit on the mats and the possibility of them in an MMA cage inspires much excitement. Historically, fighters from this region were cut mostly from the sambo cloth. Great wrestlers no doubt, and fantastic fighters for sure, but not exactly the credentialed, Olympic types we hoped for.
That changed in 2015 when wrestling monster Bilyal Makhov signed with the UFC. Makhov generated a ton of buzz and anticipation, but his interest in MMA ultimately turned out to be only that ... interest. Entirely absent from the MMA world for years now, Makhov has returned to the mats several times since reneging on his UFC contract, singing bonus in tow.
While plenty disappointing, the Makhov escapade wasn't all for naught, and it inspired other Caucasus wrestlers to give MMA a try. Guys like Migran Arutyunyan and Ali Isaev, among others. Looking on the proverbial bright side, in terms of actual MMA potential, Russian-born Azerbaijan wrestler Isaev may have even more to offer than Makhov did.
Thus far the 2008 Olympian, 2009 European champ with a slew of other international medals has been putting in quality work inside the cage. Teammates with fellow Caucasus fighters like UFC vet Rashid Magomedov and PRIDE vet Bazigit Atajev, also training in the US ahead of fights, Isaev is 6-0 and signed with the very solid Professional Fighter's League.
Ideally sized for heavyweight, light on his feet, with powerful, diverse striking, and a penchant for spinning wheel kicks to accompany his wrestling, even Isaev's ground control is tip top. Something not usually seen from fighters who didn't compete in US folk style. Expect big things from Isaev.
Ioannis Arzoumanidis
Greek heavyweight Ioannis Arzoumanidis was uncharacteristically impressive among wrestlers from his home nation. Skilled across multiple styles, "Arzoo" started as a promising Greco wrestler, making a junior world team and even winning bronze at 2008 University Worlds.
His success continued despite a shift over to freestyle and he medaled at both the 2009 & 2010 World Championships, beating fantastic wrestlers like Les Sigman, Disney Rodriguez, and the aforementioned Isaev, and establishing himself as a heavyweight force in the process. Despite being a medal threat most of his career, he left the sport in 2016 never having made an Olympic team.
Perhaps most intriguing in terms of his MMA prospects are his two medals (1 gold) from the Grappling World Championships. Experience in a takedown-heavy, submission grappling rule-set will have great utility in MMA, maybe even enabling him to avoid the dreaded, out-of-nowhere submission loss that so many wrestlers fall prey to.
Going from hobbyist to legit prospect the last two years, Arzoumanidis is indeed for real. And despite being more immovable object than irresistible force, he is no less formidable than his more fleet-of-foot piers, He will surely need to improve his striking (especially his defense) going forward, but his durability, surprisingly good gas tank, size, strength, and low-risk/high-reward grappling style have impressed, helping him win six of seven pro fights.
Considering the UFC's perpetual, global expansion and the commodity that is legitimate heavyweight talent, don't be surprised to see Ioannis in the UFC eventually.
Romero Cotton (Photo/Bellator)Romero Cotton
A four-time Kansas high school state champ unbeaten beyond sophomore year, Romero Cotton's success was not limited to the state level. Placing third in Fargo on the Cadet Greco side in 2005, first in both styles at Fargo in 2006, and fourth at 2007 NHSCA Junior Nationals, Cotton was a definite blue-chip wrestling recruit heading into college.
Unsurprisingly, his collegiate run began in Division I at the University of Nebraska. And while he showed great ability in the room and in the few matches he wrestled, a series of unfortunate events caused his early exit from Lincoln.
Thankfully, Cotton resurfaced in 2012 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, a top Division II program. Not about to let a second chance go to waste, Romero thrived, becoming a four-time finalist, three-time national champ for the Lopers. Cotton was moderately active wrestling in the Olympic styles after college, but circumstances dictated he pursue MMA over the Olympics.
Now 3-0 and with tons of potential, Cotton was one of a handful of big-shot 0-0 wrestlers signed by Bellator MMA over the years. Training at arguably the best MMA gym in the entire world for wrestlers, in American Kickboxing Academy, Cotton possesses the skills and the fight IQ to climb high in 185-pound ranks.
Big and insanely strong for the weight class, with clean boxing to compliment his wrestling, Cotton fights with a cool, calm, collected composure. Not unlike most wrestlers who enter MMA and acquire a taste for face-punching, Cotton likes to throw hands in the cage but has shown the smarts to let his unstoppable wrestling and athleticism take over when the situation calls for it.
Shawn Bunch
You're probably wondering why on earth a list of wrestlers-turned MMA fighters to watch, features a 36-year-old in a young man's division who debuted almost seven years ago. It's a justified question no doubt, but hear me out first.
First and foremost, the wrestling. Six-time All-American in Fargo and NHSCA Nationals, two-time All-American (second and third) at Edinboro, and a superb freestyle run that got him ever-so-close to two Olympic spots. Not to mention gold medals at the Pan Am Championships in 2007, Medved International, and Henri Deglane Challenge in 2011.
Committing to MMA well-before the 60-kilo wrestle-off for the 2012 Olympic spot, Bunch debuted in Bellator just a few short months after the Olympics. He produced somewhat pedestrian results initially, but hit a stride just in time for fight No. 6 against training partner, friend, and red-hot prospect, NCAA Champ Darrion Caldwell.
Choked out midway through the first round, this easily could've been curtains for Bunch's MMA career. Furthermore, if the loss to Caldwell was a blow, then being cut by Bellator shortly after and losing his first fight on the regional scene should've been the death knell.
But Bunch soldiered on. A heaping slice of humble pie and time spent selflessly sharpening his AKA teammate's wrestling actually made for a more focused, motivated Bunch. He's returned to the cage, gone 5-0 since, and earned a nice, multi-fight contract back in Bellator.
Bunch makes this list because aside from his existing attributes, he is now older, wiser, bigger, stronger, and with more experience in the cage. Devoting much of his training these past 3 years to the sweet science, newfound power in his fists will augment his takedowns wonderfully. The man is also hungry, publicly calling out both Caldwell and former Bellator champ Eduardo Dantas. He fights next at Bellator 228 on Sept. 28.
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