Fighters Besides Jon Jones, GSP That the UFC Needs to Promote

Love them or hate them, you have to admit that two of the biggest stars in the UFC today are Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre.  And along with St-Pierre and Jones are fighters like Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, who are often overly promoted and shoved down fans' throats. 

That may be an overstatement, but the UFC does put more stock in these guys than many other fighters in MMA. 

With injuries, delays in fights and retirements coming at any moment, more fighters will have to gain some spotlight in order for the company and sport to grow.

Here's a look at some fighters the UFC needs to promote ASAP.

The Entire Flyweight Division

The UFC's newest division is already showing signs that it could be one of its most exciting.

Featuring fighters like Demetrious Johnson, Ian McCall and Joseph Benavidez, it's easy to see why this division needs to be promoted more. 

The 125-pound weight class features former title contenders, The Ultimate Fighter winners and some of the fastest, hard-hitting guys in MMA today. 

Nate Diaz

You may think Nate Diaz could end up like his older brother, Nick, but Nate has never failed a drug test, won Season 5 of TUF and has eight fight-night bonuses to his credit. 

Diaz can either gain many fans for his exciting fight style or gain much hate for his in-fight trash-talk. 

Either way, he could mean money for the UFC and should be promoted more. 

Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis is not only the last man to defeat Benson Henderson and hold the WEC lightweight title, but he is the holder for some of the most spectacular moves in MMA today.

At just age 25, Pettis is without a doubt one of the best young stars in MMA. 

Pettis would have gotten his fair share of promo time had he defeated Clay Guida at the TUF 13 finale. 

Pettis has since gone back to his winning ways, and if he decides to stay in the lightweight division he could face Henderson in a rematch at some point in the near future. 

Mark Munoz

Since losing his UFC debut against Matt Hamill in 2009, Mark Munoz has gone 7-1 and climbed to the top of the middleweight division. Munoz's lone loss came by split decision to Yushin Okami. 

If it weren't for an injury, Munoz could very well have been the next man to challenge Anderson Silva. Instead, Munoz will have to wait a little while in order to earn his title shot. 

Munoz is one of the true nice guys in the sport and is a fighter the UFC should market more. 

Benson Henderson

Current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is living proof that you can bounce back from anything. 

Henderson was on the receiving end of the "Showtime Kick," a move that got everyone talking about Anthony Pettis. Yet, despite losing the WEC title to Pettis, Henderson received a UFC title before him and took full advantage of the opportunity. 

Although Henderson will have to meet Frankie Edgar in his first title defense, he will have the confidence knowing he beat him once before. 

Henderson is an intense and exciting fighter whom more people should know about. 

Alexander Gustafsson

It's scary just how similar Alaxander Gustafsson is to Jon Jones. Gustafsson is just a year older, an inch taller and only has one loss in his career like Jones. 

While Gustafsson may not be on Jones' level just yet, there is no doubt the two young light heavyweights may meet in the future. 

Gustafsson is a young fighter on the rise in a division where guys like Quinton Jackson, Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz could soon be making their way out. 

Alistair Overeem

For newer MMA fans, they may know Alistair Overeem as the man who sent Brock Lesnar back to the WWE. 

But for long-time fans, they know Overeem has gone from tall and lanky light heavyweight to a bulked up, multi-organization heavyweight champion.

Overeem has, of course, had some controversy surround him since coming to the UFC, but he still has the personality and international appeal that could lead him to be one of the UFC's most popular fighters. 

All he needs now is to win the UFC heavyweight title. 

Jake Ellenberger

With wins over Mike Pyle, Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez, it's not hard to see why Jake Ellenberger is one of the best welterweights in the UFC. 

Ellenberger lost a close split decision to current interim champ Carlos Condit and has been waiting for a rematch ever since. 

If Ellenberger can win big against Martin Kampmann at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale, he could not only get more of the spotlight, but earn a shot at Condit. 

Junior Dos Santos

Junior Dos Santos is one of the nicest guys in the sport today. Inside the Octagon, though, Dos Santos always goes for the knockout. 

Although he, along with Cain Velasquez, was heavily promoted during the UFC on FOX build-up, Dos Santos has since been out due to injury. With his match against Alistair Overeem set for UFC 146 in May, expect the UFC to heavily promote Dos Santos the way he should be promoted. 

Dominick Cruz

We all knew Jose Aldo was the face of the smaller divisions when the WEC first merged with the UFC, but Dominick Cruz is not far behind. 

Cruz is currently on a 10-fight win streak, has defeated most of the top bantamweights in the world today and has one of the best feuds going today with Urijah Faber.  

Cruz is a marketable fighter—maybe even more so here in America than Jose Aldo. 

If Cruz can beat Faber for a second time, expect him to get more promotion.