Jon Jones and the Top 25 MMA Fighters Most Likely To Land a Commercial Spot

More and more fighters are growing into celebrity.

As the sport of mixed martial arts grows in popularity, so does its commercial appeal.

Many of the top fighters have already landed national commercials.

Do not expect it to stop there.

They will continue down the path that they are continuing to blaze, and several other fighters are going to be joining them.

Including those so-called "trailblazers," these are the top 25 fighters most likely to land the next national commercial spot.

25. Anderson Silva

He may not be the biggest media darling, or most eloquent English speaker, but Anderson does have a couple of things going for him.

He has a keen sense of personal style.

He is the most dominant champion in the history of the UFC.

If you are a national brand looking to engage hardcore fans, you would be wise to consider Anderson.

Potential company: FUBU.

24. Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida is also not the greatest English speaker, but he is less camera-shy.

Another thing that Machida has going for him is that he is perhaps the best ambassador in contemporary MMA for traditional martial arts that Americans are familiar with. Specifically, I mean Karate.

The growth of MMA has brought more attention to the martial arts world as a whole, and Machida is an excellent embodiment of the martial arts mentality and spirit.

Potential company: Home urine filter kits  

23. Dan Hardy

Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy's fighting stock may be dropping, but he is still commercially viable.

He simply fits the bill for a palatable punkish renegade.

Potential company: MTV 

22. Muhammed Lawal

A former champion looking to bounce back into the public's consciousness is a prime candidate for commercial candidacy.

Mix in a brash and charismatic personality, and you could have a winning formula.

"King Mo" has a lot of potential, because of his talent and his commercial viability.

Potential company: Rockstar Energy Drink

21. B.J. Penn

B.J. Penn is about as popular a fighter as you can find in the history of this sport. He also enjoys many things in life, making him a logical choice to represent any number of lifestyle brands.

Potential company: RVCA or Chipotle. 

20. Pat Barry

Almost everybody loves Pat Barry. That is because Pat Barry loves everybody.

What is not to love about a stocky, muscular heavyweight who specializes in knockouts and general abuse of the human body?

He is exciting and friendly. Count it.

Potential company: Burger King

19. Alistair Overeem

With the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, and Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce, Overeem has the potential to be the next big thing.

His personality is somehow inviting and yet simultaneously intimidating.

He also has a physique like none other in the business.

Potential industry: horse meat

18. Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping is already a considerable celebrity in the UK.

If David Beckham can make a commercial splash in America in a sport overlooked by Americans, then Bisping certainly has a chance to do the same.

He is already a household name amongst casual MMA fans.

Potential company: Count Chocula

17. Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva might be the most beloved fighter around the world.

He symbolizes the dynamic of being good-natured and courteous outside the ring, but with an aggressive warrior-spirit inside it.

He's like a mix of Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods, but without all the scandals.

Potential company: BSN Protein 

16. Jason Miller

He already hosts his own show on MTV. It has already had three seasons.

Despite maintaining a respectable level of celebrity for an MMA star, Miller retains an infectious personality.

Potential company: Pepsi-Cola

15. Brian Stann

Brian Stann is well spoken, handsome and he looks like the prototypical American MMA fighter.

He is also a Marine and a contributing analyst for ESPN. He has "mainstream" written all over him.

Potential advertiser: The Marine Corp.

14. Kenny Florian

Looking for an MMA fighter who does not look like or appeal to muscle-bound jocks? Find Kenny Florian.

Kenny is an intelligent and articulate man who has challenged for a world title multiple times.

Although he could kick your butt, he also looks like he could be a scientist.

Potential product: Sony PlayStation 

13. Rich Franklin

He's the school teacher from Ohio who turned into a champion cage-fighter.

His days as a potential title challenger could be numbered, but his days as a star and figurehead for the sport are not.

Potential advertiser: Kellogg's cereals 

12. Forrest Griffin

Griffin is a star for many reasons.

He was in the most important fight involved in turning around the commercial fortunes of MMA. He is a former world champion. He has an inspiring warrior-spirit. He has a hilarious, self-deprecating sense of humor.

Potential advertiser: Six Flags 

11. Frank Edgar

Everyone loves an underdog.

Edgar is not the underdog that he used to be, but considering he was up through his first two title defenses, I would say that is still his story.

Potential advertiser: Rice Krispies Treats 

10. Herschel Walker

He was a Heisman Trophy winner, then an NFL star. Now he is taking a cue from Randy Couture and becoming an ageless wonder in MMA.

Already a cultural icon in America, Walker now has his chance to represent MMA.

Potential idea: the American spirit  

9. Roy Nelson

He is one of the best fighters in the world, but he looks more like the Pillsbury Doughboy than an athlete.

We are talking about America, and you know there is a market for that.

Potential product: Kung Fu Panda 2

8. Cain Velasquez

He's the heavyweight champion of the world.

As a Mexican American, he is also the best option to market to Latin markets and culture.

Potential advertiser: Coca-Cola

7. Rashad Evans

It may not have "featured" him predominantly, but Rashad Evans has already appeared in a Microsoft national commercial.

Fans have a love/hate relationship with the former champion and No. 1 contender. But, as long as they are talking...

Potential product: Fruit of the Loom

6. Randy Couture

Maybe the most loved champion in UFC history, Couture is 47 years old and still competing at the highest levels.

A savvy business man, Couture has already been putting his name on a number of different products.

Potential advertiser: Best Buy 

5. Urijah Faber

The former featherweight champion of the world and current bantamweight No. 1 contender, Urijah Faber is already co-heading a major national campaign for K-Swiss.

The question for Faber is: What is next?

Potential advertiser: Adidas

4. Quinton Jackson

There's no doubt that Jackson is an exciting fighter to watch.

He is also an appealing character outside of the cage due to his sense of humor and occasionally suspect behavior.

Potential advertiser: Bridgestone Tires 

3. Brock Lesnar

Even though he lost his heavyweight title, Brock Lesnar is still just as commercially viable, if not more so, than anyone else in the UFC.

That being said, his inclination towards privacy keeps him from the top spot.

Potential advertiser: Bud Light

2. Georges St-Pierre

Longtime welterweight champion St-Pierre is like the Michael Jordan of MMA. The Donald Trump of fitness. The Stephen Hawking of competition.

He already has been a featured spokesperson for Gatorade, ESPN and Under Armour.

Potential products: Anything? 

1. Jon Jones

Jon Jones has taken the sport by storm. His hybrid style is like nothing seen before.

He is like a mix between LeBron James and Tony Hawk.

Potential advertiser: Apple Computers