These are the Lightweight VALOR Amateur Rankings (146-155 LBS) as of October 2015. 

 

 

1.  Damir Ferhatbegovic (VALOR Lightweight Champion)

Association: Shield Systems

Height: 5'11”

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 5-1

Most Recent Fight: Def. Alvin Davis, Rd. 1 KO (Head Kick), October 2015, VALOR 27

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  The man to beat at 155 and possibly the top amateur on the VALOR Fights roster. "The Bosnian Barncat" has finished every opponent he has faced and his one loss was by a flash KO by Corey Browning. Damri has won back to back fights against the former VALOR Champion and then, won the title in his hometown of Knoxville. A pro debut is likely on the horizon in 2016. 

 

 

2.  Cameron Cornett (APEX Lightweight Champion)

Association: Independent

Height: 5' 10”

City: Newport, Tennessee

Record: 6-1

Most Recent Fight: Def. Jeremy Philpot, Rd. 1 Sub (Guillotine Choke), August 2015, VALOR 25

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Started amateur career off with two wins before suffering his first loss at the hands of Gabe Robinson last May at Valor Fights 13.  Since then though, Cornett has been on a tear winning four fights in a row including winning the APEX Lightweight Championship in May. 

 

 

3.  Buck Yates

Association: Ogle's Martial Arts

Height: 5'10”

City: Madisonville, Tennessee

Record: 4-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Nick Baker, Rd. 2 Sub., (RNC), April 2015, Valor 22

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Pulled out a rear naked choke submission victory over the very game Nick Baker in a drag out war at Valor Fights 22 in April in Knoxville.  Although Yates vacated the 155 title, rumors of him riding off into the sunset being shot down by Yates and he'll likely return in early-2016. 

 

 

4.  Chris Aguilar

Association: Atos HQ

Height: 5'9”

City: San Diego, California

Record: 2-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Steven Haag, Rd. 2 TKO (Knee), July 2015, VALOR 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Possibly the best wrestler in the stacked lightweight division, Aguilar made his return to the VALOR cage in July against super prospect Steven Haag and looked great. Aguilar fought off many of Haag's slick submission attempts, but in the end, took home a loss. Although no longer living in Tennessee, another VALOR fight for Aguilar could get him right back in title contention. 

 

 

5.  Nick Martino

Association: Combat Athletix

Height: 6'0”

City: Mocksville, North Carolina

Record: 3-4

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Damir Ferhatbegovic, Rd. 1 Sub (RNC), July 2015, VALOR 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  You won't see many men with losing records in the top five of any rankings anywhere, but Nick Martino has been fighting top tier guys since his debut. The former VALOR Lightweight Champion is coming off of a great fight with Damir Ferhatbegovic in which Martino refused to tap out close to the bell and passed out resulting in a loss. Martino is already looking to get back in the cage whether it be kickboxing or MMA. 

 

 

6. Sawyer Rich

Association: Upper Cumberland MMA

Height: 5'9"

City: Crossville, Tennessee

Record: 6-1

Most Recent Fight: Def. Billy Combs, Rd. 1 TKO (Punches), July 2015, VALOR 24

Next Fight: vs. Nick Baker (October 17th in Knoxville at VALOR 27)

Analysis: One fighter to watch for the rest of 2015 in all of VALOR is Sawyer Rich. Rich returned to the cage as the hometown hero in Crossville in July defeating Billy Combs by first round stoppage. Rich will be returning to the cage this fall, but likely as a featherweight. 

 

 

7.  Bodie Price

Association: IND.

Height: 5'8”

City: Greenville, Tennessee

Record: 7-5

Most Recent Fight: loss to Bruce Abramski, Rd. 2 TKO, May 2015, APEX Fights VI

Next Fight: vs. Cameron Cornett (August 22nd in Pigeon Forge at VALOR Fights 25)

Analysis: A nearly 5 year veteran of the sport, Price has fought a who's who's list of fighters throughout his amateur career and has made a career out of upsetting many local favorites.  Following his loss to the mush larger Abramski at APEX 6, Price will be dropping to 155 and will receive a shot at the 155 Champ Cameron Cornett. 

 

 

8.  Daris Reynolds

Association: Team Enigma

Height: 6'0”

City: Bristol, Tennessee

Record: 3-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Cameron Cornett, Un. Dec., May 2015, APEX Fights VI

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has quickly become one of the more exciting fighters in the Valor amateur division and has done so in only 4 fights. Earned a title shot after starting off 3-0, but was defeated by Cameron Cornett for the APEX title. He showed great toughness and still is one of the brightest prospects at 155. 

 

 

9.  Thomas Wooley

Association: Alpha Elite Grappling

Height: 5'10”

City: Smyrna, Georgia

Record: 2-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Jeremiah Vaught, Un. Dec., August 2015, NFC 76

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: Still very young into his amateur career, Wooley lost his first fight in August after back to back wins to kickoff his career. Wooley will likely get back in the gym and return sometime this winner hoping to rebound from his lone defeat. 

 

 

10.  Eli-John Kaindu

Association: Four Seasons

Height: 5'8”

City: Lexington, Kentucky

Record: 4-3

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Nick Martino, Rd. 2 TKO, February 2015, Valor Fights 20

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: Fighting out of one of the top gyms in the southeast, Eli-John Kaindu out of Four Seasons is a talented lightweight. Possibly built better for the featherweight division, he recently had a shot at the Lightweight title, but suffered a TKO defeat. 

 

 

 

*** 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. ***