These are the Bantamweight VALOR Amateur Rankings (126-135 LBS) as of October 2015.
1. David Lewis (VALOR BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION)
Association: North Georgia Hayastan
Height: 5'8”
City: Dalton, GA
Record: 5-2
Most Recent Fight: def. Marquis Johnson, Rd. 1 Sub., Ankle Lock, March 2015, Valor Fights 21
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Started career off going 2-2 before making a comback in 2013 and winning his past three fights in a barely combined two minutes including his win for the title at VALOR 21. Lewis has been kickboxing lately to round out his game, likely meaning his amateur career is over and he will be looking to turn pro this Fall.
2. Austin Childers
Association: Knuckle Up Fitness
Height: 5'11”
City: Villa Rica, Georgia
Record: 5-1
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Zac Cooper, Un. Dec, October 2015, Legacy FC 47
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: The top prospect in the southeast at 135, Austin Childers had his five fight winning streak snapped in October with a loss to Legacy standout Zac Cooper in a featherweight superfight.
3. Freddie Walker
Association: NKI
Height: 5'8"
City: Knoxville, Tennessee
Record: 3-1
Most Recent Fight: def. Anthony McBryar, Rd. 1 TKO (Knee), August 2015, VALOR 25
Next Fight: vs. Will Watson (November 7th - Pigeon Forge, TN)
Analysis: A highly touted prospect out of Knoxville, Freddie Walker ended a long layoff in August as he finished Anthony McBryar in the 1st round. Teammate of pro Brandon McMahan and top 145er Austin Cowan, Walker will now fight for the 135 title in November.
4. Russell Johnson
Association: Upper Cumberland MMA
Height: 6'1"
City: Cookeville, TN
Record: 4-2
Most Recent Fight: def. Kevin Jones, Rd.1 Sub., June 2014, Rock-N-Rumble
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: One of the toughest guys at this weight class, Johnson has fought some of the area's best including Jamie Norton and Jamal Mohammed. Johnson was booked for a title bout in July, but when the orginial opponent dropped out of the fight, Johnson decided not to take a short notice opponent and wait until the Fall to fight, possibly as a pro.
5. Rodrigo Gonzalez
Association: Bushido MMA
Height: 5'9”
City: Kingsport, Tennessee
Record: 3-2
Most Recent Fight: Def. Cody Jordan, Rd. 1 TKO (Punches), July 2015, APEX 7
Next Fight: vs. Logan Vittetoe (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)
Analysis: After a flash submission loss to Cody Jordan in March and a weight cut mishap in April, Gonzalez finally broke through and got redemption against Jordan with a first round TKO. The outstanding striker will likely now be looking for a title shot somewhere down the road at 135.
6. Joseph Pelletier
Association: Independent
Height: 5'8”
City: Johnson City, Tennessee
Record: 3-0-1
Most Recent Fight: def. Sean Reed, Rd. 1 TKO, March 2015, Black Diamond Beatdown 5
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Pelletier has yet to taste defeat in his young amateur career and also has a fight of the year candidate already on his resume against Jim Lord. An extremely bright prospect, but with Ludus seemingly not booking fights at this time, Pelletier is stuck inactive for the time being.
7. Edward Massey
Association: SSF
Height: 5'10"
City: Clarksville, Tennessee
Record: 10-5
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Chris Ocon, Un. Dec. July 2015, Summit FC
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: An outstanding striker, Massey's career has swapped out wins and losses throughout. Massey has struggled with wrestlers in the past, but not too many men can stand and trade with "The Ninja." With an outstanding group of fighters with him at SSF, Massey will only continue to improve.
8. Kevin Alexander
Association: Underground MMA
Height: 5'8"
City: Richmond, Kentucky
Record: 4-1
Most Recent Fight: def. Brandon Godsey, Rd.2 TKO, February 2015, VALOR 19
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: A tough prospect out of Kentucky, Kevin "The Immortal" Alexander is coming off a short notice win against Brandon Godsey back in February. Alexander had a shot at the Bantamweight title in his sight, but was forced to pull out of the fight.
9. Chris Browning
Association: Team NKI
Height: 5'7”
City: Knoxville, Tennessee
Record: 1-0
Most Recent Fight: def. Cody Jordan, Un. Dec., February 2015, Valor Fights 21
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Is only one fight in his career but pulled off a victory over a very game opponent in Cody Jordan in February at Valor Fights 21. Chris, the brother of Pro fighter Corey Browning, can build off of that victory and move up the rankings.
10. Cody Jordan
Association: National Martial Arts
Height: 5'6”
City: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Record: 1-3
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Rodrigo Gonzalez, Rd. 1 TKO (Strikes), July 2015, APEX 7
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: After picking up the fastest win in VALOR Bantamweight history against Rodrigo Gonzalez in March, the two met in a rematch in July in which Gonzalez won with a quick TKO. The two could likely meet again somewhere down the road, but for now, it seems Jordan is interested in kickboxing.
*** To be eligible for the VALOR X Rankings, you must have been active over the last 600 days (includes accepting a fight), fought for a VALOR promotion or once associated, and made the said weight class official weight at least once (includes kickboxing). Rankings are submitted by a team of officials, writers, and professional fighters. ***