My Top Five Fighters of the Future

The UFC is evolving, older guys like Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, and Matt Hughes are quickly falling. While other younger guys are coming up. It happens in every sport, in the NBA Michael Jordan retired (finally) and let guys like Kobe and LeBron have the spotlight.

It happens in every sport! The UFC is no different....

The question is what new young talent will take over? We have the Forrest Griffin's, Quinton Jackson's, Rashad Evans's, Georges St.Pierre's, BJ Penn's, and Anderson Silva's. But what next? After this crop retires, who's next?

I can't tell you for sure, because I can't predict the future. But I can sure take a guess. So here are my top five fighters of the future.

Jon "Bones" Jones

Jon Jones burst on the scene in 2008, fighting seven times! Including three times in April alone! Not to mention he won all seven of those fights.

Eventually making in in the UFC at UFC 87, as a late replacement for Tomasz Drwal. He faced a tough test another new comer in Andre Gusmao, whom he beat by Unanimous Decision.

After his impressive showcase of unorthodox striking, and powerful take-downs, he was asked to comeback.

He then fought at UFC 94, this time against a fan favorite Stephan Bonnar. Jones was an underdog, but put an end to that after he dropped Bonnar in the first round with a spinning back elbow.

He again put on a show, throwing unorthodox strikes, and displaying powerful take-downs, he even suplexed Bonnar.

After he pulled of that upset he jumped on many peoples radar, including mine. Jones has a very bright future with the UFC, a future that may include UFC gold. He needs to improve his cardio, he gassed in the third round against Bonnar. As well as his striking, sometime unorthodox strikes get you TKO'd (just ask Urijah Faber).

But other than that Jon Jones has the looks of a superstar, but only time will tell.

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson

Anthony Johnson is more experienced than some, but is still not 100 percent ready.

He first made his presence known at Ultimate Fight Night 10, knocking out Chad Reiner in thirteen seconds. He was then put up against UFC veteran Rich Clementi. He was out-classed and submitted in the second round.

He was then matched up with TUF 6 runner-up Tommy Speer, whom he KO'd in 51 seconds.

After that fight he was paired with Kevin Burns. He controlled the majority of the fight, but was illegally poked in his eye, resulting in a TKO. This fight was highly controversial because Burns was warned several times about the eye pokes.

Johnson however remained calm in defeat, and took it in stride.

A rematch was set-up, Johnson ended up winning by TKO in the third round with a Rashad Evans like head kick.

He was then put up against Luigi Fioravanti, who he TKO'd in Round One. Johnson however was not happy with his performance and vowed to comeback even better.

Anthony Johnson will be a champion one day! Mark my words!!

Jim Miller

No surprise here!

Jim Miller made his way on the scene in 2005/2006. He was fighting in the Reality Fighting organization.He went 4-0 and won the Reality Fighting featherweight title. He lost it in his last fight for that organization against Frankie Edgar.

He then went on an eight fight winning streak (which is still going).

He cruised into the UFC at UFC 89, and faced David Baron. He was able to submit Baron in the third round by rear-naked choke.

After that he went on to face Matt Wiman at the UFC's fight for the troops event. He dominated Winman the whole fight and pulled off the unanimous decision victory.

He is now set to face Gray Maynard at UFC 96, which I expect him to win. After that I'd like to see a re-match with Frankie Edgar, so he can avenge that loss!

Jim Miller is 25 years old and keeps improving. He seems like he's destined for greatness! But maybe I'm a little biased? ;-)

Ben Saunders

Ben Saunders was introduced to us courtesy of TUF 6. While on the show he beat No.1 pick Dan Barrera, and then lost by decision to Tommy Speer. After the show he again faced Dan Barrera at the TUF 6 finale. Winning again by unanimous decision. In the fight he displayed superior striking.

He then fought at UFC 87 against Ryan Drew Thomas, in a bout which he won by second round submission (arm lock). He was praised again for his improving game.

At UFC's fight for the troops he faced Brandon Wolff. In this fight he demonstrated a clinch full of violent knees, and an array of high knees. His clinch reminded a lot of people of Anderson Silva!

He was then set to face Dustin Hazelett (remember that name) at UFC 96. But Hazelett was forced to pull out due to injury. Ryan Madigan was his replacement. But then Saunders was forced to pull out of the fight due to injury.

Hopefully they re-schedule this fight, it with certainly bring fireworks!

As for Ben Saunders, the sky is the limit!

Dustin Hazelett

Dustin Hazelett burst onto the scene at Shamrock/Ortiz 3:The Final Chapter, losing to Tony DeSouza (guess he didn't really burst on the scene...).

He rebounded at UFC 67, pulling off a unanimous decision against Diego Saraiva. He returned at UFC 72, winning with a anaconda choke in the first round.

At UFN 11 he faced a good opponent in Jonathan Goulet, pulling off an upset. He won by armbar in the first round.

Dana White was ready to test him, and put him up against Josh Koscheck at UFC 82. Koscheck proved to be too much for him, and beat him by TKO in the second round.

Since that fight Hazelett has pulled off two highlight reel submissions: a flying armbar against Josh Burkman, winning him his first submission-of-the-night award.

He repeated that feat at UFC 91 against Tamdan McCrory, pulling off a reverse armbar.

Like I said before he was supposed to fight Ben Saunders at UFC 96, but both parties were forced to pull out due to injury. Lets hope they re-schedule it!

Dustin Hazelett is 22, and has an extremely bright future.

Honorable Mentions

Dan Miller 11-1-1 (IFL Middleweight champion, 3-0 in the UFC, Jim Miller's older bro)

Jeremy Stephens 16-4 ( UFC veteran, 22 years old, willing to fight anyone/anywhere)

Josh Neer 25-7 ( Win over Mac Danzig, 25 years old, veteran, 2-1 in the UFC)

Alan Belcher 14-5 (Wins over Denis Kang and Ed Herman, 8 fights in the UFC)

Matthew Riddle (2-0 in the UFC, poweful hands, 23 years old)

A few notes

I'm not including names like Cain Velasquez, Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz. Anyone who is already established.

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