One Fighter from Each MMA Division Destined for Stardom

Mixed martial arts is an unforgiving sport; it takes a long time to get to the top but only moments to tumble back to the bottom.

But even in this harsh, unapologetic landscape that freely stomps the aspirations of talented, dedicated fighters without afterthought, there are some that are able to survive.

Those who consistently win big fights, accomplish lofty goals and let their presence be known to an audience that transcends the inner circles of MMA fans and those who defy MMA's heavy gravity and suspend themselves above the rest are the stars of the sport.

Yet, even stars are not timeless: There are always those coming, always those fading away.

Here, we'll take an optimistic view of the categorization and look at one fighter in each weight class that has the tools to achieve and maintain MMA stardom in the near future.

Heavyweight: Stipe Miocic

Legitimate contenders are somewhat hard to come by for Junior Dos Santos at this point, as Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem and Daniel Cormier form a limiting title landscape that protrudes outside the confines of the UFC.

That could all change quite soon though, as Stipe Miocic continues his methodical climb towards the UFC title and MMA stardom. 

Miocic has long been billed by the UFC as a Dos Santos-type knockout artist, a marketing angle justified by his Golden Gloves credentials and seven professional knockout wins, but this singular focus belies the other skills that Miocic wields so well.

At the top of that list is Miocic's wrestling, which he featured in his contest against fellow prospect Shane Del Rosario. And that display was no fluke—not from a former Division I wrestler.

Miocic has also displayed the ability to eat a punch during his UFC tenure; his chin was tested harshly by Del Rosario, and Philip De Fries touched it pretty good too. That he has taken damage may not be a positive thing, but being able to withstand punishment is crucial in the heavyweight division, so knowing that he is capable in this regard is definitely worth noting.

Miocic is slated to contest Stefan Struve later this month in what may very well be his coming out party. It may also very well be his gateway to a top opponent. 

Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson

Gustafsson has been on the periphery of the UFC's light heavyweight title picture for almost a year now, but he'll get his chance to strut into focus when he takes on perennial contender Mauricio Rua this December.

Already a consensus top-10 light heavyweight, Gustafsson is only beginning to tap into his expansive potential. He is just 25 years old and showed a new wrinkle in his game last time out when he frustrated Thiago Silva with superior striking technique for three rounds.

The only thing that might dampen Gustafsson's star is UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' excessive dominance. After all, it's difficult to stand out and shine when there is someone light years ahead of you fighting in the same division, in the same promotion.

But maybe not even Jones' uncanny abilities will be enough to slow the surging Swede. With knockout power, natural athleticism and a growing catalog of experience to draw upon, Gustafsson cannot be deemed a pushover from any perspective, not even Jones'.

Gustafsson is an undeniable leader of the new wave of 205-pound talent emerging in MMA and may be ready to take the next step sooner than people think. Of course, Shogun might have something to say about that. But regardless of the outcome of their December contest, expect to hear more and more about the Mauler in the years to come.

Middleweight: Chris Weidman

In five UFC fights, Weidman has gone from a top prospect to the sexy pick to dethrone Anderson Silva. But before he even gets the chance to do that he'll face off with Tim Boetsch this December in what can only be termed a quasi title eliminator.

Though a talented and tough fighter, Boetsch probably isn't a guy who Weidman can grow his star against. Still, he does present a viable launching pad for Weidman to earn a shot at Silva or at least a more official No. 1 contender.

Regardless of how long it takes Weidman to make it into a title fight, he will get there, and he may have UFC gold before people expect him to.

Weidman is the kind of fighter who grows every time he competes, a statement most recently validated by his knockout of Mark Munoz earlier this summer. Primarily thought of as a wrestler, Weidman's hands are developing into fine weapons and his grappling is already near the top of the middleweight division.

At 28 years old, Weidman may not be an up-and-comer in terms of age, but with just nine pro fights under his belt, he is certainly nowhere near the pinnacle of what could very well be a Hall of Fame career.

Weidman's resume will continue to grow and become more gaudy as time marches on, but even without a lengthy hit list he is the de facto heir to the fabled Silva throne. 

Silva, the aging albeit effective ruler, is assured of leaving his dominion in good hands once he decides to ride off into the sunset. The only question is whether Weidman succeeds Silva or overthrows him.

Welterweight: Rory MacDonald

Prophesizing MacDonald's rise to stardom might be a little out of style, given that the 23-year-old is a something of a household name as it is. But, if you erase the Nate Diaz (who is now a lightweight) win from his resume, the prettiest feather that MacDonald has in his cap is Mike Pyle.

That's not really a star's cap is it?

MacDonald will have the chance to dress his headware up a bit when he takes on B.J. Penn this December, but for now he is still more of a  hyped prospect than bonafide star.

MacDonald is a very well-rounded fighter who has been padding his resume since he was 16. He's only gotten better since then and continues to add tools to his game. Most recently, MacDonald has let his wrestling shine through where his Muay Thai and BJJ did, prior to his UFC days.

Ares may very well have what it takes to be a UFC champion, something he'll receive inside information about from friend Georges St-Pierre, and this accolade may not come too far down the road. MacDonald continues to build his presence in the welterweight division and will break through the upper crust before very long.

Also warranting consideration was Erik Silva, whose mix of grappling prowess and explosive striking power ensures him a promising future. 

Lightweight: Michael Chandler

Fighting in the UFC is almost a necessity in order for a fighter to become a mainstream star, so Chandler is at a bit of a disadvantage here. The Bellator champ most definitely has the skills to become a recognizable name though.

Chandler's hit list, which contains Lloyd Woodard, Patricky Freire and Eddie Alvarez, speaks to his talent as much as his 10-0 profession record does. Still, he'll need to litter his bone yard with some faces more familiar to the general public if he is to become a star, and now we're right back at the UFC impasse.

Chandler is certainly good enough to make the transition to the big show, where he'd fit in with guys like Anthony Pettis, Clay Guida, Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon—already stars in their own right. But whether that move comes to fruition remains to be seen. 

For now, it wouldn't hurt to clean out some more Bellator competition before jumping ship. 

Also considered for this spot was Khabib Nurmagomedov. Though the the Russian has UFC experience over Chandler, his actual strength of competition falls short of the Bellator kingpin. He'll have the more immediate chance to take on established names, so by this time next year his star could eclipse Chandler's.

Either fighter is deserving of the spot, but Chandler makes it in by a nose.

And in case you are wondering, I considered most of the upper echelon of the UFC lightweight division to be too established for this list. That's why Chandler is here and not someone like Pettis. 

Featherweight: Erik Koch

Koch was pulled from the spotlight as quickly as he was thrust into it when an untimely injury came on the heels of a surprising title shot. Though back where he started, Koch remains a serious player in the UFC's featherweight division, and considering his youth, that is mighty impressive.

Though he is just 2-0 in the UFC, Koch is one of the most athletic and dynamic fighters in the promotion's 145-pound weight division. Terrific wrestling, a strong submission game and striking that becomes more explosive with every fight, have put Koch on the fast-track to stardom, where he should remain for the better part of a decade.

Though his name is rarely mentioned with prospects like Rory MacDonald and Chris Weidman, Koch isn't far behind. And, he may be the first of the three to receive a UFC title shot if his injury heals up quickly enough. 

Frankie Edgar's decision to drop to featherweight has brought some uncertainty to a division otherwise conceded to Jose Aldo, but it may turn out to be Koch who becomes the new big thing at 145. If not, he should at least factor in as one of the top and most exciting fighters in the division for many years to come. 

So while Koch's injury kept him from the spotlight in 2012, think of it as more of a delay than an impasse. His time will come, likely in 2013.

Bantamweight: Michael McDonald

Had Renan Barao not so emphatically become a star earlier this summer, this would have been a difficult decision. As it stands, Michael McDonald is really the only logical choice.

At just 21 years of age, McDonald already stands on the precipice of stardom—devastating a legend like Miguel Torres will do that for you—and doubt that he will fall on the right side dissipates every time he fights. Given how mature and well-spoken the kid is, it dissipates every time he gives an interview or addresses the media in any alternative capacity.

McDonald is already one of the best bantamweight fighters around and will become a household name in casual MMA circles before long. Providing what is perhaps unnecessary aid in this quest is that he happens to possess that most beloved of all fighting attributes: knockout power. 

Some fighters are able to go on winning without making too many waves (see Jon Fitch, July 2003-August 2010), but with the hands that McDonald brings into the Octagon, there is little danger of him become one of those. 

And while the rest of McDonald's game may not have the sparkle of his boxing, it is easily good enough to get him to the championship—and superstar—level.

Flyweight: John Dodson

Though it's hard to be a star in a new division without a champion, I consider Joseph Benavidez, Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall to be off limits here. 

With those parameters in place, we have two obvious choices remaining: Dodson and Jussier Da Silva.

While either guy has star potential, Dodson gets the nod because he possesses a skill remarkably rare at 125 pounds: knockout power. And not the kind in which he can put a TKO on his official record; the kind where he can end a fight with a single punch. 

Dodson also is enjoying something of a headstart on the road to stardom since he gained considerable recognition from his time spent on The Ultimate Fighter. Throw in a flamboyant personality that will become more and more polarizing as he becomes more successful, and Dodson is a surefire superstar at flyweight.

That is of course, if he can make it against the Benavidezs, Johnsons and McCalls of the division. 

A cursory glance at Dodson's mundane professional record (13-5) suggests he may be in over his head when it comes to top competition, but now that he's fighting at his natural weight and seems to have found the concentration and discipline that he lacked earlier in his career, that record is a poor indicator of his ability.

If you aren't sure that Dodson deserves this more than Da Silva, you'll have your chance for vindication when the two square off this October. If Dodson wins that match, he may very well become the first challenger to Benavidez's or Johnson's title.