2012 World MMA Flyweight Scouting Report: #9 - Claudir Dutkevis

Photo by Tatame
Name:	Claudir Dutkevis
Nickname:	--
Age:	28
Height:	--
Location:	Caxias do Sul, Brazil

Shocking that we've landed in Brazil once again, isn't it? We're ahead of schedule on this return trip, but to our more committed readers -- it's an inevitable journey at this point. Brazil is a breeding ground for top-tier talent, and the 125 lb. weight class is no exception.

Tata Fight Team member Claudir Dutkevis (10-0) is the perfect reason for our early journey to South America. The 28-year-old has recorded ten victories since his debut in 2006, and he's remained unbeaten in his six-year career, capping off his 2011 campaign with his fourth win of the year, an unanimous decision victory over Bronx's Gold Team stud Junior Maranhao at Real Fight 8 in December.

While his undefeated record might be impressive on the surface, the truth lies in the details. His strength of record is below average at best, so it's difficult to label Claudir as a promising at this point. The "eyeball" test, however, reveals details that might get many fans excited at the prospect of seeing him fight better competition.

A Muay Thai black belt who possesses a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Claudir is surprisingly well-rounded, wielding an extensive arsenal of weapons on the feet ranging from combination punching to a diverse clinch and kicking attack. Normally, that leads to his adversaries scrambling to bring the fight to the ground.

Stronger competition would likely take advantage of his novice status as a grappler, but under the tutelage of Giovanni Reis and Otavio Tata Duarte -- Claudir has obtained a dangerous style of grappling that consistently threatens despite his inferior positioning. He possesses a high, active guard that continually seeks armbars and triangle choke transitions. Against the weaker competition he's faced, it has worked brilliantly to keep his opponents at bay, allowing him to eventually find his way back to his feet where he has outstruck everyone he's faced.

Claudir's progression as a grappler is great to see, and if he can round out his base with a savvy submission game to supplement his effective striking -- look out. Ultimately, Claudir needs to fight better competition to test himself, so I'm hesitant to believe he'll be in the UFC come December. A couple more battles against noticeably better competition should put him on the radar, especially if he was noticed at the The Ultimate Fighter Brazil tryouts.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Josh Rave, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Claudir Dutkevis after the fold...

Versus Magno Alves

Rogério Menna Vs. Claudir Dutkevis

Versus Mauro Chalet