7 MMA Fighters Who Will Be Household Names by the End of 2011

In the past year Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez have risen from prospects to champions, longtime afterthought Chael Sonnen became one of the most well-known fighters in the sport and Anthony Pettis rode one kick to superstardom.

A relatively small number of MMA fighters achieve mainstream success, and most of the stars of the past (Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture) have retired or are heading that way.

As the popularity of the sport grows, so does the number of fighters who become known worldwide, and these seven fighters are on the cusp of joining the likes of GSP, Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar.

Junior Dos Santos

Even though Junior dos Santos is gaining exposure every week as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 13, fans still probably can't pick him out of a lineup.

But since I'm picking him to knock out Brock Lesnar at UFC 131, it's just a matter of time until "Cigano" is one of the most well-known fighters in the sport.

If he can take out current champion Cain Velasquez towards the end of the year, he could be the next great heavyweight, a division that has always captured the attention of the fans.

Phil Davis

"Mr. Wonderful" already has a win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira this year, and when he returns to the Octagon against Rashad Evans in August, the spotlight will be placed right on his giant shoulders.

Phil Davis has already been tapped as the man with the best chance to beat Jon Jones by many experts, but a fight against Rashad is a huge step in competition for just his 10th fight.

A win against Rashad will put him in the mix at 205 lbs., and fans will drool over a potential fight between Davis and Jones.

Yushin Okami

Yushin Okami has been underrated for years and has been sitting in the top five of the middleweight division since 2007. 

Finally he has earned his shot at Anderson Silva, and even though he doesn't possess the charisma of Chael Sonnen, I think he can gain popularity much like his former opponent did.

Okami has the type of top control that could give Silva fits, and he is the early pick going into UFC 134.

If Okami can somehow take out Anderson Silva, his lack of English and even his lack of charisma won't hold him in the background any longer.

Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz may think he is the most overworked and underpaid fighter in the sport, but he hasn't proven himself against an elite wrestler during his tenure as Strikeforce welterweight champion.

Tyron Woodley, the likely next opponent for Diaz, presents a completely different challenge than the strikers that he has recently fought, a wrestler who can hold him down and try to eke out a decision.

However, Diaz is too good off his back to be held down, and his striking is enough to give anyone at 170 problems. Since the UFC welterweight division is quickly running out of contenders, I predict that Diaz will be brought in to fight for UFC gold by the end of the year.

Jim Miller

In my opinion, Jim Miller is the most underrated fighter in all of MMA.

Currently riding a seven-fight win streak and still not earning a title shot, expect Miller to win another fight and be set to fight for UFC gold in early 2012. 

The man is too good and too exciting to be held back, and his legion of fans will only grow as he inches closer to a title.

Chad Mendes

The Team Alpha Male prospect has said he plans on being in Toronto this weekend to challenge the winner of Jose Aldo and Mark Hominick. 

While I'm not quite sure he will get his wish (Kenny Florian may intrigue the UFC brass a little more), Mendes is undoubtedly just a win or two away from a title fight.

Mendes is a tough fight for anyone at 145 with his stifling wrestling game and is my pick to end the year as featherweight champion.

Dominick Cruz

It's sad that a UFC champion can even make a list like this. 

Cruz has been underrated his entire career and is still seen as the second-best fighter in the bantamweight division since Urijah Faber has entered the weight class.

If Cruz can avenge the only loss of his career to Faber at UFC 132 later this summer, he should join the MMA elite and actually get the respect he deserves.