Who Is The Next Jon Jones? The Top 7 Prospects In The UFC
Recognize that guy? Yeah, I thought so.
Just two short years ago the name Jose Aldo was always followed with words like "prospect" and "potential." Now the man is regarded as one of the top five mixed martial artists in the world and holds the UFC featherweight title.
Last year, it was Jon Jones. In 2004 it was Georges St. Pierre. Even way back at UFC 31 people were talking about how good a kid named BJ Penn could be.
Some fighters just leave you with the impression that they could be great.
These are the seven best prospects the UFC has to offer.
7. Demetrious Johnson (Bantamweight)
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Demetrius "Mighty Mouse" Johnson may have to perfect nickname for an undersized 135lb fighter, but Johnson is a legit contender for the bantamweight belt.
With an 8-1 record, his lone loss being a decision to Brad Pickett in his WEC debut, Johnson has looked impressive in his last few fights, showing good striking ability and unbelievable cardio.
Inching ever closer to the top 10 at 135-pounds, Johnson has a huge matchup against Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto on this weekends preliminary card.
6. Jake Ellenberger (Welterweight)
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If you have enjoyed watching Jake Ellenberger in fight in the UFC, you might want to thank Chris Lytle.
Lytle dropped out of a planned fight with Carlos Condit, leaving the door open for Ellenberger to come in and put on a highly entertaining fight.
Since losing a controversial decision to Condit, he has back to back victories over Mike Pyle and John Howard, and with a win over Carlos Eduardo Rocha at UFC 126, Jake will likely get a top guy at 170.
5. Brenden Schaub (Heavyweight)
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A former NFL player, Brendan Schaub was still relatively green when he made it to the finals of "The Ultimate Fighter 10" and veteran Roy Nelson made it obvious, knocking out "The Hybrid" in the first round.
Schaub has shown major improvement in his stand-up game, winning three straight UFC bouts, and training every day with Shane Carwin certainly isn’t hurting him.
Schaub asked for a step up in competition and he received one: He’ll face Pride legend Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 128.
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4. Charles Oliveira (Lightweight)
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After back-to-back submissions wins over Darren Elkins and Efrain Escudero, Charles Oliveira looked like a contender in the 155lb weight class and was picked by many to defeat Jim Miller at UFC 124.
However, a rare mistake by the BJJ black belt led to Miller pulling off a kneebar and handing the young Brazilian the first loss of his career.
While he still looks like one of the best young fighters under the UFC banner, he can’t afford to lose two in a row in the stacked 155lb weight class.
3. Rick Story (Welterweight)
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Currently on a four-fight win streak, Rick Story is not only one of the top prospects in the UFC.
And in his career, he’s beaten two other top prospects, with wins over Jake Ellenberger and Johny Hendricks.
Using his wrestling and some brutal ground and pound, (see the Dustin Hazelett fight for proof), Story is sitting just outside of the top 10 in one of the deepest divisions in the UFC.
Next up is the biggest fight of his career when he faces Thiago Alves at UFC 130.
2. Phil Davis (Light Heavyweight)
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As good as guys like Rashad Evans and Jon Jones are, Phil Davis is the best wrestler in the 205lb weight class.
A NCAA national wrestling champion at Penn State, Davis has not only learned to use his wrestling in the Octagon, but his submission game is coming along nicely as well. He last submitted Tim Boetsch at UFC 123.
"Mr. Wonderful" will be back in action at UFC 129 in Toronto against fellow wrestler Matt Hamill.
1. Chad Mendes (Featherweight)
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For a young featherweight, training with Urijah Faber on a daily basis is about as good as it gets.
Chad Mendes is using his wrestling to slowly climb the UFC 145lb ladder, and after winning WEC bouts over Erik Koch, Anthony Morrison, Cub Swanson, and Javier Vazquez, a title shot may be just a win away.
The Team Alpha Male fighter has a chance to bring his undefeated record to 10-0 this weekend when he fights Michihiro Omigawa.
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