The MMA Outreach: 4 Fighters from Mexico the UFC Should Sign

Mixed martial arts is spreading like wildfire, and it's evident in the UFC's expansion throughout the world. Not long ago, MMA had a couple of main hot spots in the United States, Brazil and Japan, among other places.

MMA outreach has become rapid, spreading to places that are now MMA-crazy. The sport has blown up, with fighters looking to make their way in the MMA world.

For four days this week, we are going to examine four of the newest hot spots in MMA. These are places where prospects and stars are starting to pop up, and they have a chance to provide great talent to the sport. We have chosen Ireland, Poland, Mexico and Russia for this series, as they seem to be the biggest hot spots right now.

Mexico has a rich history in combat sports, especially when it comes to boxing. However, there has been a recent explosion in MMA interest, as seen with the UFC's first trip there last year and the popularity of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America.

Here are four prospects this MMA hot spot could send to the UFC soon.

Alexa Grasso (7-0, Strawweight, Lobo Gym)

One of two women on this list, Alexa Grasso has become one of the best female prospects in the sport. She's young, undefeated, exciting and skilled. That will make her a star in the near future.

Grasso is a striker, but she showed in her most recent fight that she can also grapple a bit. She is explosive on the feet, possessing heavy punches, snapping kicks and some violent knees.

Plus, she's just 21 years old, which means she'll have longevity in this sport. Her age is especially impressive considering she's already 3-0 in Invicta. She has defeated the likes of Ashley Cummins, Alida Gray and highly touted Japanese fighter Mizuki Inoue.

Expect her to be a staple of the UFC women's strawweight division.

Irene Aldana (5-1, Bantamweight, Lobo Gym)

The other woman on this list, Irene Aldana, proves the two best MMA fighters from Mexico are likely females. She and Alexa Grasso have proved this with their impressive starts in the sport and their jumps onto the scene via Invicta.

A bantamweight, Aldana is just 26 years old and has already racked up some impressive wins. Despite a discrepancy to former top prospect Larissa Pacheco, Aldana has scored wins over TUF 18 vets Colleen Schneider and Peggy Morgan, both via submission.

Aldana is a brute on the feet and has shown that in every one of her wins. Although she does have two submissions, they came as a result of Aldana hurting her opponent on the feet. Plus, she has three sub-minute knockouts in Mexico, which resulted from knees, punches and a spinning wheel kick.

Aldana has the skills to add talent to a bantamweight division that needs bodies. She's an exciting prospect with a killer instinct, which will only benefit the division.

Jorge Gonzales (9-1, Light Heavyweight, A.D.A.M.)

It's no secret that the UFC needs fighters in the light heavyweight division. That's why Jorge Gonzales, a top Mexican fighter, could be a great add for the company.

Gonzales is an exciting fighter and a finisher, as George St. has never gone to decision. Most of his wins come via knockout, as he is a good striker with some developing submissions.

Not only has he never gone to decision, but he's also never left the first round. And despite a submission loss to veteran Vinny Magalhaes, Gonzales has proved to be a savage, including his most recent bout, in which he tapped out Brazilian Fernando di Pierro.

He is a decent size for the division, but his savagery is the thing to watch with this guy. He would be an exciting addition to a division in need of fresh faces.

Antonio Duarte (18-5, Bantamweight, Entram Gym)

A member of one of Mexico's best training grounds, Entram Gym, Antonio Duarte is a nine-year veteran of the sport and one of the more experienced fighters from the country. A 23-fight combatant, Duarte has proved his worth in taking fights north and south of the border.

Duarte is a submission specialist, as 11 of his 18 wins have come via tapout. Many of those submissions were chokes, as he has a tight squeeze.

He has a couple of good wins as well. In addition to choking out Bellator veteran Ed West with a beautiful anaconda choke, Duarte has secured wins over WEC vet Seth Dikun and veteran Jesse Miramontes.

With the UFC's return to the country at UFC 188, there is room to sign some of these fighters. Between Grasso, Aldana, Gonzales and Duarte, the UFC could have some new talent to pack on that card.