Scouring the Globe to Find a Future Heavyweight Champion

The last time a UFC heavyweight title fight took place under a commission that discloses purses, the then champion Cain Velazquez pocketed a cool 400,000 USD. Bigger fighters generally get bigger paydays and for any manager the dream is to discover the next Randy Couture or Fabricio Werdum.

Mishal Abul, who acts as 'the man in the Middle East' for Paradigm Sports Management, believes he might have found not one, but two, future heavyweight contenders. He is bankrolling a pair of Iranian prospects who have both been sent to Phuket to hone their MMA skills

Randy Couture won the UFC heavyweight title at the age of 43 so Masoud Ranjbar (26) and Amir Aliakbari (27) both have time on their side. Abul, who was educated in the US but is originally from Kuwait, explains the process of identifying these potential future champions as follows,

"I got informed of Amir Aliakbari through Marcos Oliveira, a Brazilian heavyweight fighter I know. Marcos follows the global events taking place in wrestling and BJJ and he told me about Amir who is a world wrestling champ with many gold, silver and bronze medals. Masoud is Amir's training partner and I have a scout who lives in Dubai but is of Persian descent. He scouted Masoud and told me about his skills as a wrestler and a boxer. "

Ranjbar made his pro MMA debut at Full Metal Dojo 4 in Bangkok earlier this year and showcased the sort of skillset which could make him a potent force in the heavyweight division. He beat experienced French fighter Yoann Gouaida by decision, controlling the fight with his takedowns and showcasing some high class defensive skills in the striking exchanges.

However out of the two it is Aliakbari who enjoys the truly stellar reputation. He's a two time wrestling world champion, or at least he would be if he hadn't been stripped of the second gold medal and banned from the sport for life after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

It was an ignominious way for Aliakbari's wrestling career to end and if he does sign with the UFC the Iranian is sure to come under intense scrutiny from the drug testers. For Abul it's as a question of when, not if, that day arrives,

"Amir will be UFC champ one day. Amir is an Olympic level athlete and it shows with his focus through workouts. Masoud will be knocking guys out, he possesses that power in his hands. Having both train with each other means they each share the skills that the other lacks."

Talk is cheap and only a fraction of the fighters proclaimed to be 'future UFC champions' actually live up to their billing. But Abul is actually putting his money where his mouth is in order to ensure his two heavyweight protegees eventually reach their undoubted potential,

"I am personally financing their career. That's how much I believe in them and their skill set. I've got them training at AKA Thailand in Phuket under the direction of Blair Speer and UFC star Mike Swick."

Aliakbari recently made his Muay Thai debut in Phuket, winning by decision after five two minute rounds. It should have given the wrestling veteran a valuable insight into the striking game and he will have a chance to show off some of his new found skills in the cage next month.

The Iranian is set to compete in MMA for the first time at FMD 7 in Bangkok. Aliakbari will be taking on 2-0 Brazilian fighter Marcelo Golm on October 31st and promoter Jon Nutt feels fortunate to have two top heavyweight prospects on his doorstep,

"Everyone likes to watch big guys fight but there aren't too many heavyweights in this part of the world. It's awesome for me to be able to put guys like Amir or Mansoud on the card because people in Thailand don't get to see 250 lbs human beings doing anything, so getting to see guys that size step inside the cage and smash each other up is always going to be a good time."

Finding suitable sparring partners in Thailand would normally be a problem but AKA has traditionally been home to some of the world's best heavyweights. Mark Hunt is currently in Phuket to prepare for UFC 193 while Soa Palelei has also spent time there recently giving Mansoud and Aliakbari a taste of the level of competition they might one day be facing in the UFC.

Plenty of potential obstacles stand between Abul and his dream of producing the first ever UFC champion from the Middle East. By picking out two fighters he has at least hedged his bets because if one doesn't quite make it then maybe the other will. The names Mansoud and Aliakbari might not mean much to MMA fans at the moment but they both look to be blue chip heavyweight prospects.