These are the Middleweight VALOR Amateur Rankings (171-185 LBS) as of October 2015. 

 

 

1.  Matt Foley 

Association: Four Seasons

Height: 6'2”

City: Lexington, Kentucky

Record: 6-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Matthew Baccus, Split Dec., May 2014, 3FC XXI

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Started his amateur career off the best way anyone could ask for and that was with picking up six wins in his first six bouts.  He hasn't fought since tasting defeat for the first time in his career at the hands of Matt Baccus at 3FC XXI, which was a year ago.  The question is will Foley take another amateur fight or will he opt to go pro sometime in 2015?

 

 

2.  Jason Kubik

Association: Independent

Height: 6'1”

City: Seveirville, Tennessee

Record: 4-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Jay Page, Rd. 1 TKO, November 2013, Tri City Thunder 2

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Probably hands down the pound for pound best fighter on this list, but has been extremely inactive.  He has not fought in 2 years.  The long hiatus would have dropped him completely out of the rankings, but he accepted a fight against Kadrean Brewster a few months back and rumor has it that Kubik could be returning in the Fall to the VALOR cage. 

 

 

3.  Jerry Bentley

Association: Team Oxendine

Height: 5'9"

City: Johnson City, Tennessee

Record: 5-2, 1 NC

Most Recent Fight: No Contest vs. Wesley Hanson, July 2015, USFFC 23

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  A talented fighter out of one of the tops gyms in the Tri-Cities, Jerry Bentley returned to the cage after more than a three year layoff in July, but the fight was ruled a No Contest. Bentley was booked to fight for the APEX 185 title, but his opponent pulled out leaving Bentley with no opponent. A possible Fall return seems most likely for the top five middleweight. 

 

 

4. Lance Abbott

Association: Bushido MMA

Height: 5'9"

City: Bulls Gap, Tennessee

Record: 3-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Doug Williams, Un. Dec., July 2015, APEX Fights 7

Next Fight: vs. Trevor Wilds (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)

Analysis: A rising prospect in the VALOR 185 rankings, Bulls Gap's Lance Abbott has quickly climbed the ladder in VALOR. Abbott has fought primarily at 205 and fought for the title against the much larger Doug Williams and lost by decision after rocking the champ early in round one. A heavy hitter and in a very good camp, a potential drop to 185 could lead to big things for Lance Abbott. 

 

 

5.  Michael Earls

Association: National Martial Arts

Height: 5'10”

City: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Record: 3-1

Most Recent Fight:  Loss to George Campbell, Rd. 1 Sub. Choke, January 2015, Warrior FC 

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has one of the better records and is one of the more active fighters in the top ten.  He has only fought one time for Valor Fights and it was a victory over Eric Wells last year at Valor Fights 15.  Has only fought in Kentucky since.  A return to VALOR and a step up in competition could lead to a rise in the rankings. 

 

 

6.  Micah Dando

Association: KAOS / D-1 MMA

Height: 5'10”

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 2-1

Most Recent Fight:  def. Matt Hauldren, Rd. 1 TKO, June 2014, Volunteer Brawl

Next Fight: vs. Damien Strang (November 7th - Pigeon Forge, TN)

Analysis:  Bounced back from his first loss by picking up a round one TKO victory over Matt Hauldren last June at the first Volunteer Brawl event.  He hasn't fought in close to a year and will need to soon to remain ranked, but t's uncertain if he has plans to fight again. 

 

 

7.  Robbie Long

Association: KAOS / D-1 MMA

Height: 6'2”

City: Bethel, Tennessee

Record: 4-2

Most Recent Fight: Def. Dustin Johnson, Rd. 1 Sub (Guillotine Choke), October 2015, VALOR 27

Next Fight: vs. Anthony Stone (November 7th - Pigeon Forge, TN)

Analysis:  Was on a three fight winning streak before picking up a loss to Alan Stewart in his last bout. After moving back to Knoxville and joining D-1 MMA, Long returned in October with a 1st round victory.  

 

 

8. Juan Molina

Association: Stryker MMA

Height: 5'10"

City: Bristol, Virginia

Record: 1-1

Most Recent Fight: Def. John Horton, Rd. 1 TKO (Punches), May 2015, APEX Fights 6

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: Made his debut on short notice at heavyweight against Brock Walker, Juan Molina is a massive middleweight with good striking and the strength to be a very solid grappler. Molina bounced back from the loss against Walker to pick up a quick TKO against John Horton back in May. A recent move may cause Molina to stop fighting, but for now, he cracks the top ten at middleweight. 

 

 

9. Sean Box

Association: KMAA

Height: 6'4"

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 1-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Matt Strickland, Rd. 2 TKO, April 2015, VALOR Fights 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  The second 1-0 fighter in the VALOR top ten rankings is a very bright prospect. Training alongside some of the top pros in the state, Box has all the tools to become a big player in the VALOR middleweight division. With his size and terrific coaching, look for Box to have a breakout of 2015. 

 

 

10.  Casey Pratt

Association: Independent

Height: 5'8”

City: Skyline, Alabama

Record: 1-0

Most Recent fight: def. Kenny Zacher, Rd.1 KO, March 2015, VALOR 21

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has only fought one time under the VALOR banner but did so with a very impressive first round knockout victory over Kenny Zacher back in March at Valor Fights 21.  If he can build off of the momentum of that victory and make it down to 185 (first fight was at 95), he should easily start a climb up the rankings.

 

 

 

*** 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. ***