These are the Featherweight VALOR Amateur Rankings (136-145 LBS) as of October 2015. 

 

 

1.  Austin Cowan

Association: Hard Knox / NKI

Height: 5'8”

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 3-0

Most Recent Fight: def. George Arellano, Un. Dec., August 2015, VALOR 25

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Many have said if Cowan fought full time, he'd already be a top ranked pro. Nonetheless, Cowan fights once a year and this time around made his lone fight count as he won the VALOR Featherweight Title in a Fight of the Night performance against George Arellano. Question now is will it be 2016 before we see the outstanding striker back in the VALOR cage? 

 

 

2.  Joey Mullin

Association: Doro MMA

Height: 5'10”

City: Athens, Georgia

Record: 5-1

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Zac Cooper, Rd. 2 TKO, March 2015, Legacy FC 40

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  This young fighter started his career off undefeated, going 5-0 before tasting his first loss at the hands of Zac Cooper at Legacy FC 40 in March.  The sky is the limit for this young prospect, but following tasting defeat for the first time, it's uncertain when we'll see the talented Georgia striker back in the cage.

 

 

3. George Arellano

Association: Blalock's IMB

Height: 5'9"

City: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Record: 3-2

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Austin Cowan, Un. Dec., August 2015, VALOR 25

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: A big 155er, Arellano recently announced that he was taking his talents down to featherweight and 145. Arellano had his best fight to date in August against Austin Cowan for the Featherweight Championship and won Fight of the Night, but loss the decision. Nonetheless, Arellano showed his toughness and stayed right in the face of the world-class striker. Arellano will likely turn pro in Chattanooga in October. 

 

 

4.  Ryan McVay

Association: MMA Institute

Height: 5'7”

City: Dayton, Tennessee

Record: 3-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Dylan DeAngelo, Split Dec., July 2015, VALOR 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: After back to back TKO victories to kick off his young career, the stud prospect Ryan McVay took a short notice fight against another young prospect Dylan DeAngelo. It was a Fight of the Night grappling battle in which McVay won a razor thin split decision. McVay wants a title shot in October and a rematch with DeAngelo would be a logical choice. 

 

 

5. Dylan DeAngelo

Association: Foot Clan MMA

Height: 5'9"

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 2-1

Most Recent Fight: def. Damien Hamlin, Rd. 3 Sub (Triangle), August 2015, VALOR 25

Next Fight: vs. Chris Bond (November 7th - Pigeon Forge, TN)

Analysis: Although just two fights into his amateur career, DeAngelo has been around the local scene for awhile kickboxing until he turned 18. DeAngelo made his return to MMA in the Summer losing a very close split decision to Ryan McVay, but rebounded a month later defeating Damien Hamlin by submission.  

 

 

6.  Jacob Romano 

Association: Pitch Black MMA

Height: 5'7”

City: Simpsonville, South Carolina

Record: 5-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Dylan Cala, Rd. 1 Sub (Guillotine Choke), August 2015, USFFC 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has only fought under the Valor flag one time and it was last year at Valor Fights 15. Undefeated so far in his young career, Romano will be a top contender for a title shot once he returns to the promotion.

 

 

7.  Jon Smith

Association: Stryker MMA

Height: 5'9”

City: Bristol, Virginia

Record: 4-1

Most Recent Fight: def. Nick Baker, Un. Dec., March 2015, APEX Fights 5

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has tasted defeate only one time in his amateur career and it was to Valor Featherweight champion Joey Mullin.  He bounced back with a Unanimous Decision victory over the always game Nick Baker in March at APEX Fights 5. No word on when Jon Smith will return to the VALOR cage, but with a growing fan base, we all hope it's very soon.

 

 

8.  Cody Farley

Association: Bushido MMA

Height: 6'1"

City: Johnson City, TN

Record: 4-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Caleb Edwards, Rd. 1 Sub. (Armbar),  November 2014, Evolution 2

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  One of the more underrated featherweights in the area, Cody Farley has a good mix of stand up and submission skills. He's undefeated at 4-0 and holds a nasty submission finish over Nick Baker. Now with Bushido, Farley should soon be returning to action, but the question will be at 145 or a potential drop to 135? 

 

 

9. Doug Williams

Association: Team Fast

Height: 5'6"

City: Wytheville, Virginia

Record: 6-5

Most Recent Fight: Def. Nick Baker, Un. Dec., July 2015, APEX 7

Next Fight: vs. Sawyer Rich (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)

Analysis:  We were introduced to Virginia's Doug Williams on short notice at APEX 7 against Nick Baker and Williams put on a wrestling clinic taking Baker down over five times. Now, with a heated rivalry burning between him and Gil Goncalves, the two will meet at a future show in November. 

 

 

10.  Gil Goncalves

Association: Team Brutal

Height: 5'10”

City: Tazewell, Virginia

Record: 5-3

Most Recent Fight: def. Ben Wingo, Rd. 2 Sub. (Choke), November 2014, PFC 10

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Another very fun to watch featherweight on our list, "The Mad Brazilian" Gil Goncalves mainly fights in Virginia, but has fought some tough guys in VALOR including a win over Billy Combs and a loss to Zee Floris. With good kicks and deadly off his back, Gil is a very dangerous opponent for anyone. 

 

 

 

*** 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. ***