UFC's Wildcards: The Fighters Waiting to Explode in the UFC

Each UFC division is staked up with it's champion and top contenders. For most part, those fighters are the ones we all talk about, GSP, Anderson Silva, Randy Couture, BJ Penn, Kenny Florian etc. But there are the guys that are doing very well in the division, still, they just haven't hit the top yet.

Those guys...we tend to forget about. Fighters that are waiting to get their shot at glory, that have the talent to make it to the top, the guys that are waiting to explode but just haven't had the right moment yet.

Here is a list of UFC fighters in each weight class that have the potential to make it big in the UFC. Whether they can make it to the top and become champions or just become one of the best this division has to offer doesn't really matter. This writer predicts big things for every fighter listed below.

Lightweight

Gray Maynard

Maynard is exactly was his nickname says he is...a bully. He's not the biggest or the strongest fighter in the division, but he has great cardio and he's very aggressive. 

Maynard has great wrestling, he has proved that time and time again. Gray is the only fighter in the division who defeated the former undefeated Frankie Edgar and he stopped Rich Clementi, who was on a serious winning streak.

With a few more high profile fights, Maynard can put himself in title contention. He can really make it big, some people even say he's the sleeper waiting to explode in the lightweight division.

Joe Lauzon

Lauzon has been impressive in every fight he's had in the octagon. I'm a huge fan of his and think he will become something big. He's still young and has a great variety of submissions. His only loss came to the hands of Kenny Florian who we know, is no loser.

Lauzon is rumored to fight former top contender Hermes Franca at UFC Fight Night 17. This is just the opportunity Lauzon needs. If he beats Franca and this kid could well be on his way to more high profile fights. Beating Franca also serves to prove he's one of the best the division has to offer.

Welterweight

Mike Swick

I really like Mike Swick and although several people think he's finished, I still have faith in him. He's a very talented fighter that moved down in weight after suffering a loss in a division he was already doing really well in. I have to agree that he may have lost a little fire, but  doesn't seem like anything to really worry about.

With his Goulet fight coming up, he should start getting more interesting fights, that is if he wins. If he really desires it and finds the passion again, Swick can be champion, there's no doubt in my mind.

Diego Sanchez/Josh Koscheck

I put these two guys together because I just don't see both of them making it big, it will be one or the other. When observed closely, they have had similar paths from TUF 1 up until to today. Both fighters had their moment to shine, somehow they let those moments slip right between their fingers.

I think a rematch between these two is inevitable. Whoever wins will probably go on to become one of the welterweight division's top fighters, while the other fades into darkness. The question is...who will it be?

Dustin Hazellett

By far one of the most talented fighters in the division, Dustin Hazellett is still very young. He still seems to be the most talented BJJ fighter in his division. He always has a solid performance and has proved his submissions should be feared. The one problem he faces, his stand-up is lacking. Good news is, he has plenty of time to work on that.

With a little more experience Hazellett is going to be a very dangerous fighter. He'll slowly make his way to the top, probably get knocked down several times, but if he works hard, this kid will have gold around his waist in the future.

Middleweight

It's hard to pick anybody in this division when the champion's name is Anderson Silva, but, someday, that champion will retire and other fighters will shine.

It's also hard because I feel the division is divided. You have the contenders like Cote, Maia, Marquardt, Bisping, etc. and most of the other part is comprised of former top contenders that won't make it back up like Rivera and Horn, Sonnen, McFedries, McDonald, etc. There are many fighters we just know wont be able to get back on top, but, through all that, I found someone.

Amir Sadollah

A lot of people may question why I think Sadollah will be a force to be reckoned with in the future but here's my opinion. Yes he just came out of the house and is still really green, but he has talent and heart, just watch TUF Season 7. By the time he makes it big, chances are, Silva will have retired and a "normal" fighter will be champion ("normal" that makes Silva look even more untouchable).

He reminds me a lot of Forrest Griffin...I mean a lot. He has heart and passion for the sport, he's not the best at anything but he's good at everything and with more experience, Amir just might make it to the top someday.

Light Heavyweight

Thiago Silva/Lyoto Machida

For some odd reason, these two fighters don't get the attention they deserve. One of them will get it after UFC 94 when he beats the other. The division is so stacked that we tend to forget about really good fighters and that's what happened with these two.

A loss for Machida would be more fatal here, if Silva loses, he can still climb back the ladder, but either way it goes, I predict big things for the winner.

Luiz Cane

I'm not a fan of Cane, but he's impressive. He racked up impressive victories so far and it's only the beginning. He should slowly start fighting bigger names like Keith Jardine soon. When that happens, hopefully, he will be able to take advantage and continue his growth in the division.

Heavyweight

Shane Carwin

Carwin has shown a lot promise in his fights so far. He finished off his opponents easily in the first round. he's big and strong and think he will pose a serious threat to anybody in the heavyweight division.

His next fights should start getting interesting and we will see what he's really made of.

Cain Valasquez

I never saw this guy coming. When I began starting paying attention to him, is when demolished Jake O'Brien. Cain is a well-rounded fighter who I think has the skill and ability to make it big in the division. With serious talent lacking in the heavyweight division, it's his time to strike.

Like Carwin, it will be interesting to see who he his matched up against in his next fights, but rest assured, Valasquez has all it takes to become a champion.

Cheick Kongo

OK so this guy has already shined a little bit with his Cro Cop victory, but his true potential is far from discovered. I think he could have beaten Heath Herring, but he didn't look motivated or awake for that matter. Kongo has great skills and he can definitely become one of the divison's top 5 fighters, but he needs motivation.

If he can perform at full potential, this monster will have the UFC heavyweight title around his waist, but does he really want it?

In a world of champions and top contenders, these are the guys who I see having success in the future. Some I'm sure of it, others just need a little kick in the butt to get there but keep your eyes open for these fighters because some of them may catch that spotlight much sooner then we all think.