UFC 142: Erick Silva and 5 Unknown UFC Prospects Who Will Make Waves in 2012

2011 was the year of Jon Jones, as he went from rising prospect to one of the best fighters in the sport in just 12 months time.

As good as Jones was, he wasn’t the only fighter who made a name for himself last year, as guys like Renan Barao, Rory MacDonald, and Jake Ellenberger all made serious cases to have themselves placed among the sport’s elite.

Now that 2012 is upon us, there is an entire new batch of diamonds looking to be found in the rough and these men are all have the potential to become household names by the time that 2013 rolls around.

Erick Silva

Weight Class: Welterweight

MMA Record: 13-1 (1)

With 10 finishes in 13 fights and a highlight reel knockout in his UFC debut, Erick Silva has earned a spot on this weekends UFC 142 main card and has the potential to impress a ton of fans if he fights to his potential.

Silva has excellent submission skills and obviously has some power in his hands, but his opponent Carlo Prater is an experienced veteran who will easily be Silva’s toughest opponent yet.

If Silva is able to finish Prater impressively, he will rise higher on the welterweight ladder and have a chance to take out a bigger name in his next bout.

Edwin Figueroa

Weight Class: Bantamweight

MMA Record: 8-1

When he took his fight at UFC Fight Night 24 on short notice, many expected Edwin Figueroa to get smashed by rising prospect Michael McDonald in his UFC debut.

Instead, fans were treated to one of the most underrated fights of the year, as Figueroa and McDonald entertained both on the feet and on the mat, with Edwin surviving a couple of close calls on the ground and both men earned Fight of the Night honors.

After defeating Jason Reinhardt at UFC on Versus 5, Figueroa picked up his first UFC win and added another well-known fighter to a resume that already includes Ultimate Fighter standout Johnny Bedford.

Stipe Miocic

Weight Class: Heavyweight

MMA Record: 7-0

Stipe Miocic entered the Octagon with a fairly decent amount of hype behind him, as he was considered to be one of the best heavyweight prospects in a sport that is in dire need of big men.

Miocic didn’t make things easy on himself, as comparisons to MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop grew even more frequent when he wore Cro Cop’s trademark fight shorts to the cage in his UFC debut, but Miocic proved he belonged quickly by battering UFC veteran Joey Beltran en route to a decision victory.

Given that Beltran is nearly impossible to finish, Miocic looked very impressive in his debut, and fans can expect big things from the young heavyweight.

Lance Benoist

Weight Class: Welterweight

MMA Record: 6-0

Going 14-0-1 as an amateur is impressive, but it means nothing if you stumble when it’s time to step in the same cage as the big boys.

Lance Benoist had no problem in that regard, as he went 6-0 with six finishes in his first half dozen pro bouts and he was rushed into a tough fight with Matt Riddle in his UFC debut.

Benoist came out and put on a Fight of the Night performance against Riddle and eventually walked away with a hard fought victory over the UFC veteran.

Robbie Peralta

Weight Class: Featherweight

MMA Record: 15-3 (1)

After amassing a 13-3 record on the regional scene, Robbie Peralta was called up to a major promotion for the first time in April, where he walked into Strikeforce and upset DREAM featherweight champion Hiroyuki Takaya by split decision.

The performance was enough to earn him a UFC contract, and Peralta once again made the most of his opportunity, winning his UFC debut over Mike Lullo in convincing fashion.

Since then, Peralta fought to a no contest with Mackens Semerzier at UFC on FOX, where an accidental headbutt led to “Problems” earning the controversial TKO stoppage. The result has since been changed and the two will rematch at UFC on FX 2 in March.