10 Europeans to Watch in 2011

Tomasz MarciniakJan 18, 2011
Jimi -Manuwa | Jim Page/Sherdog.com



Jimi Manuwa (9-0)

The 27-year-old Brit's KO-laden record has been raising eyebrows for some time, and with the UFC sntaching up British talents every time they visit the U.K., it stands to reason that Manuwa will catch a major deal sooner rather than later. The Ultimate Challenge MMA light heavyweight champion has one-punch knockout power, but is physically strong to boot, able to manhandle his opponents in the clinch. His flat-footed, heavy-hitting boxing stance and clinch skills might invite comparisons to post-"Slampage" Quinton Jackson. The major concern for Manuwa at this juncture is his stamina: in his longest fight to date -- just over nine minutes against Luke Blythe -- Manuwa's cardio was failing him until he was able to spectacularly knock out his equally-tired foe. However, this kind of conditioning will get "The Poster Boy" torn down at the elite levels of MMA.

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