Jon Jones and the 10 Best Fighters Who Have Not Yet Reached Their Primes

There are many great young fighters in the world of MMA. 

However, there are some who have the potential to be at such a high level of the game, and yet they still have a long way to go in their careers.

Fighters like Jon Jones, Jose Aldo and Ronda Rousey are already champions despite being under the age of 26.

Many of the fighters on this list have looked unstoppable at some point in their short careers and could very well be future champions.

Here's a look at some great fighters who aren't even at the top of their games yet.  

Ronda Rousey

In just five pro bouts, Ronda Rousey is at the top of women's MMA. The current Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion has won each bout by armbar. 

At just age 25, success is not new to Rousey.  Before entering the sport, Rousey was an Olympic bronze medalist in judo. 

Charles Oliveira

Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira started his MMA career 14-0 and had finished all but one of his fights by KO or submission. 

The scary thing is that he's only 22 years old. 

Although he hit a bit of a slide in his next three fights (going 0-2 and one no contest), Oliveira was successful in his featherweight debut. 

Whether he stays at featherweight or moves back up to lightweight one day, Oliveira could be the future of either division. 

Michael McDonald

It could be hard to believe that Michael McDonald is only 21 years old. The California native is 14-1, which includes eight knockout victories. 

McDonald may still have a lot of growing to do, but he could very well be a UFC contender if he continues on his current path. 

He is expected to face the biggest test of his young career when he takes on Miguel Torres at UFC 145.

Rory MacDonald

Whenever Georges St-Pierre decides to relinquish the welterweight title, Rory MacDonald may be the man to take his spot. 

MacDonald not only trains with St-Pierre, but he has gone toe-to-toe with Carlos Condit and has won 11 of his 13 fights by knockout or submission. 

What's crazy is MacDonald is only 22 years old. 

Edson Barboza

Edson Barboza is sick. The 26-year-old Brazilian is 10-0 with seven knockout victories. 

Barboza looks better and better every time he goes into a fight and has proved he can defend himself just as well as he can knock you out. 

Barboza may still have a ways to go, but he has looked outstanding thus far in his short career. 

Alexander Gustafsson

Alexander Gustafsson will be a title contender in the future.

The 25-year-old from Sweden is 13-1. His lone lost came to Phil Davis at UFC 112 and he beat UFC vets Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO in his most recent fights. 

Phil Davis

Phil Davis may be the oldest fighter on this list, but he is still very young in his career. 

Davis is currently 9-1 with his only lost coming to Rashad Evans at UFC on FOX 2. Despite the loss, Davis proved he is a tough guy to take out, going the full five rounds with Evans. 

Although Davis has some work to do, with a slick submission game and a great wrestling background, he is still a big threat in the light heavyweight division. 

Anthony Pettis

Former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis can be one of the flashiest fighters in the Octagon. Pettis has highlight-reel victories over Shane Roller, Joe Lauzon and current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. 

Pettis is already a great fighter, but at age 25, he has the time and potential to be even better. 

Jose Aldo

At just 25 years old, Jose Aldo is already a UFC champion, the greatest fighter in his weight class and is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in MMA. 

What's scary is Aldo may not even be in his prime yet. 

We know the crazy knockouts and decent wrestling that Aldo has. He also has a jiu-jitsu game we rarely get to see because he often punishes his opponents on his feet. 

Aldo has already just about cleaned out the featherweight division. It could be a matter of time before he moves up to lightweight in order to face new challenges. 

Jon Jones

At age 24, Jon Jones has shown the potential to become one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. 

He became the youngest UFC champion at age 23 when he defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last year. Jones then defeated two more former champions in Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida. 

What's scary is Jones knows he has yet to reach his full potential, and yet he makes it look easy.