2012 World MMA Middleweight Scouting Report #7 - Elvis Mutapcic

Name:	Elvis Mutapcic
Nickname:	The King
Age:	25
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Des Moines, Iowa

This is a guest post by Rory MacLeod.

Having grown up in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elvis Mutapcic (9-2) is no stranger to adversity. Whether it was daily life in the midst of the Bosnian War of the early 1990s or emigrating to Des Moines, Iowa as a teenager before learning how to speak English, he has adapted and overcome the challenges life hurls at him. When he was approached to fight one of the most touted prospects in the middleweight division just weeks after Elvis' most disappointing career performance, it was just one more hurdle to clear.

As the reigning Midwest Cage Championships middleweight champion, Mutapcic was hardly considered a pushover opponent. But coming off a loss, few favored him against Xtreme Couture's Cezar "Mutante" Ferreira when they agreed to fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, Cezar's adopted home. With a wide 6'1" frame and an all-star coaching team including Vitor Belfort and Ray Sefo, Ferreira could intimidate lesser opponents into retreat, but his aggressive forward movement played right into the strengths of Mutapcic. "The King" had Cezar all shook up with a right elbow cross counter early, then landed a short left hook during an exchange to turn the harbor lights off at the 25 second mark of round one.

As you might expect from a European-born kickboxer, Elvis is six feet of twisted steel that kicks with zeal. He's well versed with his hands as he showed against Ferreira, but his brutal roundhouse kicks may be his most debilitating technique. Mutapcic has established a familiar pattern in his pro career by blasting his opponents' legs and midsections until they're crumpled against the fence, then finishing them with ground and pound.

Conditioning isn't a problem for Elvis, but he has had trouble grappling with larger opponents, as seen in his decision loss to Jackson's MMA fighter Artenas Young (7-3) in June. Mutapcic can attack with submissions, but defensively he needs to become more dynamic off his back and in transitions.

Elvis is working to improve his skills daily at New Beginnings MMA in Des Moines, training with a who's who of local talent including UFC stalwart Josh Neer and MCC welterweight champion Andy Branson. Balancing two-a-day training sessions with his full time dayjob has been a grind and after seeing the bright lights of Vegas, The King is eager for an opportunity on the world stage. With an upset knockout win over a blue chip prospect under his belt, Mutapcic is closer than ever to that goal.

Check out video footage of Elvis Mutapcic after the jump...

Elvis Mutapcic vs. Cezar Ferreira

Highlight/TUF 13 Tryout video