TUF 33 Cast Breakdown: Flyweight

Alibi Idiris
Kazakhstan
30-years-old
10-0
55% finish rate (4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission)
Naiza flyweight champion (two title defenses)
Combined opponents' record: 66-21-2

Pros

-Good vision
-Scrambles really well
-Useful teep
-Good bodywork
-Diverse
-Good shot selection (never throws repetitive strikes)
-Excellent timing on takedown entries
-Good knees
-Durable/Tough
-Good cardio

Cons

-Rushes in on straight lines
-Offensive jiu-jitsu lacks
-Sloopy striking at times
-Questionable takedown defense

Idiris is primarily a striker, though he can mix in takedowns to keep opponents guessing. However, his limited jiu-jitsu prevents him from being too comfortable on the ground. He excels at timing takedowns under punches and intercepting kicks but lacks effectiveness as a grappler. Defensively, he scrambles well, though his takedown defense is questionable—mainly due to his tendency to rush in recklessly on the feet. In open space and against the cage, he sprawls well and shows solid defensive awareness.

On the feet, Idiris isn't the most refined striker. His technique is wild, often throwing with reckless abandon, keeping his hands too low and wide, and moving in straight lines. While he isn’t a combination striker, he stays busy and attacks from various angles, targeting the head, body, and legs with punches and kicks. He utilizes teeps and hooks to the body. Kees and overhands effectively mixing it up. A lot of it is his activity attacking from everywhere.

The biggest concern is his pacing. His style seems better suited for three- to five-round fights, but in TUF where bouts can end in two rounds, his tendency to start slow could be a major disadvantage. He’ll be up against opponents who are harder-hitting, faster, and more explosive. While Idiris is a talented fighter, his skill set may not translate well to the TUF format.

Arshiyan Memon
India
29-years-old
7-0
100% finish rate (5 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions)
Combined opponents' record: 14-9

Pros

-Throws in volume
-Fast
-Good movement
-Good kicks

Cons

-TDD needs work
-Grappling defense lacks
-Leaves head on the centerline
-Throws too wide/wild
-Too willing to trade in the pocket

Memon looked much improved in his last fight, but it's important to note that India’s MMA scene remains quite weak. He’s done what’s expected—finishing all his opponents—but not in a way that exceeds expectations.

There are significant concerns with his skill set, particularly due to the level of competition he’s faced. Memon fights with reckless aggression, throwing high-volume strikes from both sides, but his technique is sloppy. His punches come from the hip with his chin exposed, making him an easy target for counters and takedowns. His takedown defense showed improvement in his last fight, but prior to that, he was regularly taken down, exposing major weaknesses in his grappling.

For Indian MMA, Memon is a solid fighter, but at the highest level, he’s not there yet. His takedown defense, grappling, and striking defense are all lacking. Even his strengths—such as his striking volume—lack refinement. Initially, I thought he was better, but after a deeper look, he’s still far from UFC-ready.

Eduardo Chapolin
Brazil
29-years-old
13-2
77% finish rate (6 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions)
LFA flyweight champion (one title defense)
Combined opponents' record: 80-23-2

Pros

-Effective off his back
-Chopping calf kicks
-Nasty bodywork
-Good vision
-Deceptive power
-Good use of foot sweeps/trips
-Dangerous combination striker

Cons

-TDD needs work
-Throw too wild at times
-Too willing to exchange
-Questionable cardio
-Cage wrestling needs work
-Lacks position control

One of the biggest concerns for Chapolin is his takedown defense, particularly against the cage. His cardio and striking defense are lesser concerns, but still worth noting. In the past, he has slowed down, especially when forced onto his back foot, where his movement becomes more labored. However, when he’s dictating the fight and not being pushed into deep waters, he actually becomes more comfortable as the rounds progress.

In open space, Chapolin’s takedown defense is solid—he’s excellent at digging for underhooks and sprawling. His real vulnerability lies in cage wrestling, where he struggles more. That said, even when taken down, he does good work off his back, keeping an open guard, using his feet on the hips, and angling his hips to either attack or scramble back to his feet. It’s worth noting that the fighters who have taken him down so far have been undersized flyweights, meaning a larger, stronger opponent could pose more of a problem.

Offensively, Chapolin is a dangerous striker. While he sometimes throws a bit too loopy and is too willing to exchange, his offensive output far outweighs his defensive lapses. He’s been dropped before but has never been finished. His striking is diverse—he mixes in calf kicks and body shots to wear down his opponents. His best skill is his ability to extend combinations—if he misses the first shot, he almost always lands the second or third. This makes him particularly dangerous in exchanges, as he has great vision and deceptive power. When he senses an opponent is hurt, he targets the body in combination, thriving in chaotic fights.

Chapolin is an improved flyweight who looks like he’d fit right into the UFC roster. He’s one of the favorites to win this season, and for good reason.

Roybert Echeverria
Venezuela
29-years-old
10-2
70% finish rate (6 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions)
APFC flyweight champion
Combined opponents' record: 44-51

Pros

-Explosive
-Athletic
-Powerful
-Dynamic
-Hands up
-Explosive kicks
-Heavy hands
-Good bodywork
-Credible ground game
-Chopping leg kicks
-Constant forward pressure

Cons

-Slows as the fight goes
-Will throw single strikes
-Low volume/activity

Echeverria is arguably the most explosive and hardest-hitting fighter at 125 pounds in this lineup. The frustrating part is that he doesn’t always fight like it. While he has delivered some highlight-reel knockouts, they aren’t as frequent as they should be. He’s a tough fighter to get a read on—coming off two solid wins over strong prospects but previously dropping a decision to a 9-9 opponent.

Physically, he’s a gifted athlete, but his mindset seems to be holding him back. If he committed to throwing more extended combinations, he could elevate his game significantly. Instead, he relies too much on his raw power and explosiveness, often throwing single strikes rather than sustained attacks. He’s composed in the cage—perhaps too composed. He does a good job of cutting off the cage and using subtle feints, but he doesn’t capitalize on those setups nearly enough.

In his last fight, he showed what he’s capable of in the third round, putting together combinations and looking sharp. However, if he doesn’t find a knockout or a big moment in each round, he often ends up losing on the scorecards. It’s a shame because his power is undeniable—he can crack with his hands and dish out brutal leg kicks that have done serious damage in previous fights.

Given his usual approach, the two-round TUF format may not work in his favor. While I don’t expect him to win, I wouldn’t completely count him out—his stopping power makes him a threat in any fight.

Tumelo Manyamala
South Africa
26-years-old
6-1
100% finish rate (5 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission)
Combined opponents' record: 12-7

Pros

-Uses range well
-Good ground and pound
-Clean straight punches
-Good kicks

Cons

-TDD needs work
-Hands drop at times
-Grappling defense needs work

Manyamala has been fighting for less than three years, and he's being pushed up the ranks quickly. However, he has yet to secure a win over a notable opponent. His biggest fight came against former RTU fighter Mark Climico, where he lost a close split decision but showed impressive moments.

In this lineup, he’s clearly outmatched. That said, I do appreciate his style—he’s a lanky striker who knows how to use his reach effectively, keeping opponents at the end of his punches and kicks. While his technique can get a bit wide, he does mix in a sharp jab and a clean one-two at times.

His biggest weaknesses lie in his takedown defense and overall ground game, particularly on the defensive side. He frequently makes mistakes that leave his neck exposed or give up his back. Additionally, his lack of physical strength allows opponents to bully him in the clinch and on the mat.

On the feet, he can be effective, but his striking defense is concerning. He drops his hands and leaves his chin exposed, especially when pressured. At this stage, Manyamala is still too raw, inexperienced, and simply not polished enough to compete at this level.

Joseph Morales
USA
30-years-old
12-2
67% finish rate (2 KO/TKOs, 6 Submissions)
A1 Combat flyweight champion
Combined opponents' record: 73-32-1

Pros

-Forward pressure
-Good wrestling
-Sneaky left head kick
-Good jiu-jitsu
-Good head movement
-Uses feints well
-Good jab
-Sharp one-two
-Good clinch work
-Scrambles well
-Good right hand
-Fast hands
-Credible wrestling
-Good counter striker

Cons

-TDD needs some work
-Questionable chin
-Slows later in the fight

Morales is the only fighter this season with prior UFC experience, having competed there from 2017 to 2018, where he went 1-2. His losses came against Deiveson Figueiredo and Eric Shelton, making his release feel premature. Since then, he has gone 3-0 and claimed a regional title, proving he deserves another shot. In fact, he should have been re-signed outright rather than going through TUF.

Despite his credentials, Morales is flying under the radar. I haven’t seen many people picking him to win, which makes him the season’s dark horse. He’s a well-rounded fighter—capable in striking, wrestling, and grappling, with a veteran’s composure inside the cage. However, he does have a few concerns. His chin isn’t the most reliable; although he’s only been finished once (by Figueiredo), he has been visibly stunned in fights. His cardio is another minor issue, as he tends to slow down later in bouts, affecting his sharpness.

That said, Morales remains a dangerous fighter. He’s a technical striker who leads with a sharp jab and clean one-two combinations, seamlessly mixing in kicks. His right hand is his best weapon but it's far from his only weapon. He’s also an effective counterfighter, both in striking and wrestling. He times counters well, whether landing shots over the top or shooting for a takedown off his opponent’s punches. While his takedown defense isn’t elite, he scrambles well and is active off his back.

Win or lose, Morales belongs in the UFC. His weaknesses are minor compared to the many things he does right, making him more than deserving of another opportunity.

Imanol Rodriguez
Mexico
25-years-old
5-0
100% finish rate (4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission)
Combined opponents' record: 20-9

Pros

-Fast hands
-Heavy hands
-Explosive
-Thrives in chaos
-Good bodywork
-Throws in combinations
-Excellent finishing ability

Cons

-Too willing to exchange
-Leads with his head at times

Rodriguez’s rapid rise has sparked debate—has this opportunity come too soon? At just 25 years old, with only five professional fights and a little over two years in MMA, he's still young in the sport. However, his résumé is undeniably impressive: a flawless 5-0 record, a 100% finish rate, and a recent victory over a durable veteran. Beyond MMA, he brings a wealth of combat experience—an undefeated pro boxing record (2-0), three Sambo world championships, and three Pan-American titles.

At his core, Rodriguez is a striker. While he occasionally throws opponents to the mat, it's more about resetting the pace than controlling position. His style is chaotic yet calculated—he thrives in wild exchanges, launching power shots with both hands, attacking the body, and mixing up angles. He’s relentless, with legitimate finishing ability, and when he hurts an opponent, he knows how to close the show. His durability and knockout power allow him to take risks, and he is willing to absorb damage in pursuit of the finish.

Rodriguez's game is straightforward—about 60% chaos, 40% technique. He’s the type of fighter you’d bet on because he puts everything on the line. However, there are still unanswered questions. How will he fare in deep waters? How will he handle an elite wrestler? What does his ground game truly look like? This fight may have come sooner than ideal, but regardless of the outcome, it’s a crucial learning experience for Rodriguez.

Furkatbek Yokubov
Uzbekistan
30-years-old
15-4
80% finish rate (2 KO/TKOs, 6 Submissions)
BFC flyweight champion
Combined opponents' record: 39-35

Pros

-A ton of volume
-Good ground and pound
-Explosive
-Dynamic
-Quick release
-Submission threat
-Good wrestling
-Hits hard
-Solid kickboxing
-Fast

Cons

-Questionable top control
-Struggles off his back

Yokubov enters The Ultimate Fighter fresh off a highlight-reel wheel-kick knockout in LFA. Though he once endured a three-fight skid—one loss to a former UFC fighter and another to a current UFC contender—he has since rebounded impressively, winning nine of his last ten fights, including a bout in Karate Combat. During that stretch, he finished all his opponents inside two rounds, made his LFA debut, and captured a title in BFC. Simply put, he’s been on a tear.

With extensive combat sports experience, Yokubov has competed in 18 MMA fights, numerous kickboxing bouts, and even a professional boxing match. His accolades speak for themselves: a three-time kickboxing world champion, two-time Asian champion, five-time international champion, and ten-time national champion. He’s an undeniably talented fighter.

On the feet, Yokubov is a high-volume striker, seamlessly throwing punches and kicks in combination. He has the power to land a devastating overhand or put opponents out with a head kick. Surprisingly, despite his striking pedigree, his wrestling and grappling may be even stronger.

The biggest question mark surrounding Yokubov is his ability to handle adversity. Every time he’s faced a step up in competition, he has fallen short. From what I’ve seen, he struggles under pressure and tends to fade when things don’t go his way. TUF presents a crucial opportunity for him to prove he belongs among the top flyweights and can rise to the occasion against elite competition.

From most confident to least here is who I'm picking to win this season:

Eduardo Chapolin
Idiris Alibi
Joseph Morales
Imanol Rodriguez
Furkatbek Yokubov
Roybert Echerverria
Arshiyan Memon
Tumelo Manyamala