UFC 146 Fight Card: Edson Barboza and the 11 Best Brazilian Prospects in MMA

Since MMA's inception, Brazilian fighters have always been successful inside the cage.

With three of the seven current UFC champions hailing from Brazil, as well as countless other former champs, the nation continues its strong tradition of producing top-level fighters.

At this weekend's UFC 146, another rising Brazilian star will look to improve his undefeated record as lightweight phenom Edson Barboza tries to top his wheel kick, Knockout of the Night performance.

Like Barbosa, many other top Brazilian prospects are fighting their way to the top out there.

Here are the top 10 Brazilian prospects in MMA today.

11. Erick Silva

Organization: UFC

Division: Welterweight

Record: 13-2 (1)

One of the UFC's more promising welterweight prospects, Brazilian born Erick Silva has had an impressive showing in the world's largest MMA promotion thus far.

Kicking off his UFC career with a 40 second, first round stoppage of Luis Ramos at UFC 134, Silva once again put on a dominant performance at UFC 142, but was given a DQ loss for punching Carlo Prater in the back of the head.

Set to face Charlie Brenneman at UFC on FX 3, a win for Silva will put this rising star back on track. 

10. Ednaldo Oliveira

Organization: UFC

Division: Heavyweight

Record: 13-1-1 (1)

Brazilian heavyweight Ednaldo Oliveira earned his way into the UFC by amassing an impressive undefeated record fighting in his native country, owning big wins over veterans such as Joaquim Ferreira—the last person to defeat Junior dos Santos.

However, his unbeaten streak came to an end as Gabriel Gonzaga spoiled the rising prospect in his UFC debut at UFC 142. Despite coming up short, Oliveira remains a young fighter to watch because of his heavy hands and great ground game, especially if he makes the move to light heavyweight.

9. Bruno Santos

Organization: Bellator

Division: Middleweight

Record: 13-0

At only 24 years of age, Bruno Santos has smashed his way through the competition, decisively earning himself a spot in the season-six Bellator Middleweight tournament.

In his quarterfinal match against Giva Santana, "Carioca" emphatically won the unanimous decision. Unable to continue in the tournament due to a shoulder injury, expect Santos to come back even stronger and possibly make a run at the now-vacant Bellator Middleweight belt.

8. Hugo Viana

Organization: UFC (TUF Brazil)

Division: Featherweight

Record: 5-0

Quickly making a name for himself in the Brazilian-based Win, Fight and Entertainment promotion, undefeated featherweight prospect Hugo "Wolverine" Viana has dominated the competition and set his sights on the inaugural TUF: Brazil crown.

Set to face Rony "Jason" Bezerra in the semifinals, expect "Wolverine" and "Jason" to put on a show.

7. Charles Oliveira

Organization: UFC

Division: Featherweight

Record: 15-2 (1)

After winning back-to-back Submission of the Night awards in his first two UFC fights, Charles Oliveira quickly learned he needed to make a change after suffering brutal defeats in the upper echelon of the lightweight division.

Now finding himself at home at 145, Oliveira already has another Submission of the Night accolade to add to his collection, tapping out Eric Wisely with a reverse calf slicer at UFC on FOX 2.

If Oliveira can get past former TUF winner Jonathan Brookins this June, he can catapult his standing in the featherweight division.

6. Fabio Maldonado

Organization: UFC

Division: Light Heavyweight

Record: 18-5

Coming up just a little bit short in his last two performances, rising light heavyweight star Fabio Maldonado can at least walk away from these bouts knowing that he put on a show.

Maldonado earned himself a Fight of the Night award for his war with Kyle Kingsbury at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale. Putting on another great battle with Igor Pokrajac at the last UFC on FUEL TV, the Brazilian boxer just barely took the defeat in the controversial decision.

Despite the string of bad luck, Maldonado showed great striking skills inside the Octagon and should be a rising force at 205.

5. Sergio Moraes

Organization: UFC (TUF Brazil)

Division: Middleweight

Record: 6-1

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt wiz Sergio Moraes emphatically earned himself a spot inside The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil house with his first-round heel hook submission of Thiago Rela. Showcasing an advanced knowledge of the ground game, he was able to secure the submission from the precarious 50/50 guard.

"Serginho" recently took out fellow cast member Pe de Chumbo, dominating on the ground once again before sinking in the rear-naked choke. It's clear that Moraes is a submission expert and a threat any time the fight hits the mat.

4. Diego Brandao

Organization: UFC

Division: Featherweight

Record: 19-7

In his UFC debut, not only did Diego Brandao take home The Ultimate Fighter 14 crown, but he also took home Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night honors by breaking fellow finalist Dennis Bermudez's arm for the tap.

An explosive striker with fantastic submission skills, Brandao is a fast-rising prospect and an entertaining fighter to watch. Expect another exciting performance as he takes on Darren Elkins this weekend at UFC 146.

3. Yuri Alcantara

Organization: UFC

Division: Featherweight

Record: 26-3

Riding an impressive 13-fight win streak, Yuri Alcantara will once again be fighting in his native country as he takes on Hacran Dias at UFC 147.

Fighting in Brazil seems to be a good luck charm for Alcantara, as he's won each of his two UFC bouts there, most recently earning a well-deserved unanimous decision victory over veteran Michihiro Omigawa. If Alcantara can take out Dias, then the Brazilian featherweight should expect a jump in the competition going forward.

2. Rony Bezerra

Organization: UFC (TUF Brazil)

Division: Featherweight

Record: 10-3

One of the most highly-touted fighters on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, Rony "Jason" Bezerra settles only for brutal finishes, going the distance in only one of his career fights.

Owning a win over UFC vet Felipe Arantes as well as a hard-fought split decision loss to current bantamweight contender Renan Barao, "Jason" has continued putting on great fights on the show. Recently, Bezerra earned himself a spot in the semifinals by nearly breaking Anistavio Gasparzinho's arm with an armbar in the first round of their quarterfinal matchup.

1. Edson Barboza

Organization: UFC

Division: Lightweight

Record: 10-0

One of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division, Edson Barboza has quickly become one of the UFC's most exciting prospects.

Earning Fight of the Night honors in his last three UFC bouts, Barboza also added a Knockout of the Night award to his collection with his devastating wheel-kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142. This amazing win also earned Barboza a spot on ESPN's Top 10 Plays.

Now taking on grizzled veteran and former WEC champ Jamie Varner at UFC 146, a win over such a high-caliber opponent will quickly move this rising star into the upper echelon of the lightweight division.

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