10 UFC Fighters Who Have a Realistic Chance of Wearing Gold in 2012

With the new year beginning with a bang, we begin to look forward to what 2012 may hold in the UFC.

As we've seen over the course of 2011, several fighters have fallen from their ranks, while others have grown leaps and bounds.

As expected, 2012 will be a year of many title fights, great rivalries and, of course, more rising stars.

While every mixed martial artist certainly has the opportunity to write his or her own story, few will have a realistic shot at UFC gold.

Through recent success, these specific fighters are quickly approaching unmarked territory with hopes of coming home with gold.

The following slides display 10 fighters who have a realistic chance of wearing UFC gold in 2012.

Let's take a look.

Nick Diaz

Somehow, some way, Nick Diaz has played his cards the right way, as things have seemed to fall into place for him.

After a Georges St-Pierre injury, Diaz was announced to be in contention for the interim welterweight title when he meets Carlos Condit at UFC 143.

Diaz will be the favorite heading into their main event bout, as he's grown to be arguably the best stand-up fighter in the UFC today.

A win over Condit will undoubtedly earn him a shot at the undisputed welterweight title when St-Pierre returns.

Alistair Overeem

Fans were skeptical of Alistair Overeem leading up to his bout with Brock Lesnar at UFC 141.

But Overeem proved he's worthy of all the hype and more, as he demolished the former WWE superstar and heavyweight champ with a first-round knockout.

Overeem has proven to be the real deal but will have to continue his dominance when he meets current heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at some point in the new year.

"The Reem" will hold the advantage on the ground, as dos Santos has yet to prove he can wrestle with the best of them.

Nate Diaz

Prior to his co-main event bout with Donald Cerrone at UFC 141, one would have been slightly crazy to state Nate Diaz would have a legitimate shot at UFC gold in 2012.

After what many consider the most dominating performance of his career, however, Diaz is well on his way to earning himself a title shot.

In fact, Diaz could be next in line and await the winner of Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson, who will square off at UFC 144 in Japan.

Worst-case scenario, Diaz would have to fight one more time to solidify his title shot.

Alexander Gustafsson

If there's any fighter who can win four consecutive fights all by finishes and go slightly unnoticed, it's Alexander Gustafsson.

Gustafsson has been red-hot as of late, posting a 5-1 record since joining the UFC.

However, it's Gustafsson's technique, style and lengthiness that have caused many mouths to drop along the way.

It's quite possible that Gustafsson is a 2010 spitting image of Jon "Bones" Jones.

Only time will tell.

Rashad Evans

Granted Rashad Evans can stay out of harm's way, he'll have a realistic shot at being declared the UFC light heavyweight champion.

However, we won't move too fast, as Evans certainly has a full plate to take care of with his upcoming bout against Phil Davis at UFC on FOX II.

Davis is just as good a wrestler, if not better, as Evans, which could pose a serious threat to Evans' title chances.

Still, Evans will have the advantage in the stand-up and has all the tools to defeat Davis by knockout, ultimately setting in stone a title opportunity.

Phil Davis

As with Rashad Evans, Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis is considered by many to have the right ingredients to dethrone the current champion Jon Jones.

Davis will have to get through Evans first, however.

The former Penn State wrestler has never been taken down in his MMA career, but he's yet to face a fighter with the strengths and skills of Evans.

Davis certainly has a realistic chance at UFC gold, but he'll have to improve on his stand-up.

Chael Sonnen

Honestly, what's a list without "Uncle" Chael Sonnen?

As we know, Sonnen is set to take on Mark Munoz at UFC on FOX II for a chance at revenge against the current middleweight champion, Anderson Silva.

With everything on the table, and as his UFC 117 performance versus Silva showed (before getting caught in a fifth-round submission), it's likely Sonnen is the only man who has a legitimate shot at defeating Silva.

If Sonnen can put on another one-sided affair in his upcoming bout, he'll be more than ready for Round 2 with the middleweight king.

Benson Henderson

Benson Henderson could in fact be the newest undisputed champion in 2012, as he's slated to take on Frankie Edgar at UFC 144.

Just when we thought Edgar's title was safe following his win against Gray Maynard, Henderson rose to the occasion in a thrilling decision victory over Clay Guida in UFC's Fox debut.

Edgar could be in a world of trouble, as Henderson is arguably the strongest lightweight in the UFC today and has the power in his punches to finish the champion.

If Henderson can put Edgar on his back, it could the beginning of a new era in the lightweight division.

Chad Mendes

In just a few short hours, Chad "Money" Mendes will look to cash in on a new UFC featherweight championship when he meets Jose Aldo at UFC 142.

Unfortunately for Mendes, he'll be clashing not only with Aldo but his home country fans as well, as they'll be traveling to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the bout.

To Mendes' advantage, though, as the Brazilian's bout with Mark Hominick illustrated, Aldo has some weaknesses on the ground which can be exploited.

If Mendes can do this and avoid the stand-up, he'll have a realistic shot at becoming the new 145-pound champion.

Urijah Faber

After a dominating performance over Brian Bowles at UFC 139, Urijah Faber earned the right to join current bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz as coaches for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Faber is the only man to ever beat Cruz, submitting him just a little over a minute into the first round at WEC 26.

Cruz got revenge in a slug-fest at UFC 132, where the two showcased the main event of the evening.

With a lot going on in his life, there's nothing more Urijah Faber would like to do than bring home UFC gold in the new year.

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