15 MMA Fighters Who Are Destined for Greatness

The sport of mixed martial arts is not only made up of some of the world's greatest fighters, but athletes as well.

It's these fighters who have dedicated their entire lives to help form and shaped MMA into what it is today.

But, it's not only the elite fighters who have helped MMA become the world's fastest growing sport.

MMA is filled with fighters who have yet to reach their full potential but will someday be classified as "great" in their respected weight divisions.

So, the following slides display 15 fighters who are destined for greatness in MMA today.

Let's take a look.

Gilbert Melendez

Gilbert Melendez is arguably one of the best mixed martial artists in Strikeforce history.

Since entering the sport, Melendez has gone 19-2 but hasn't lost since June of 2008.

Melendez is one of the most well-rounded fighters in MMA today as he demonstrates the cardio to go the distance. But, more times than not, Melendez finishes his opponents via knockout.

Melendez is on a fast track to be consider "great."

Phil Davis

Phil Davis has been a pleasant surprised since entering the sport of mixed martial arts in October of 2008.

Davis, a former Division 1 All-American wrestler at Penn State University, has never lost a fight, posting a perfect 9-0 to date.

Not only has Davis never been defeated but he's never even been taken down.

The up-and-coming fighter has already defeated Brian Stann, Alexander Gustaffson, and Antonio Nogueira.

Rory MacDonald

Since his emergence to the scene in 2011, many UFC fans feel that Rory MacDonald is the future of the Welterweight division.

The George St-Pierre product has posted a perfect 2-0 record in 2011 and has defeated highly dangerous Nate Diaz and Mike Pyle.

Despite falling short to Carlos Condit at UFC 115, MacDonald has arguably the brightest future in mixed martial arts today as he is just 22 years old.

Nick Diaz

Prior to his bout with BJ Penn at UFC 137, fans across the globe were hesitant in giving Diaz too much credit as it was just his first fight back in the UFC after being out of the organization for nearly five years.

But, Diaz proved how good he was when he dominated the UFC legend by winning via unanimous decision.

Diaz will get the opportunity to be considered "great" when he meets George St-Pierre in 2012 for a Welterweight title shot.

Carlos Condit

Despite being bounced from his fight with George St-Pierre in early 2012, Condit remains one of the best up-and-coming fighters not only in the Welterweight division, but the entire UFC.

Condit is currently on the best stretch of his mixed martial arts career as he's recently defeated Jake Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald, and Dan Hardy.

At just 27-years-old, Condit is destined for greatness.

Jake Ellenberger

Fans across the UFC didn't realize just how good Jake Ellenberger was until he stepped foot inside the Octagon with Jake Shields at a Fight Night in September of 2011.

At just 53 seconds into Round 1, Ellenberger was declared victorious by way of knockout and won his fifth consecutive fight.

If Ellenberger can continue his recent success he could find himself in the talks of a title shot come 2012.

Junior Dos Santos

While Junior Dos Santos has already established himself as the number two Heavyweight fighter in the UFC, he still has some work to do.

While Dos Santos is certainly already on the path to greatness, he can help his case when he meets heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at UFC on Fox 1.

Dos Santos hasn't lost a mixed martial arts bout since November of 2007 and has posted a perfect 7-0 record since arriving to the UFC.

Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen has already established himself as one of the best middleweight fighters of all time.

But, there's one thing that Sonnen has yet to accomplish, which is defeat the man he greatly despises: Anderson Silva.

Sonnen, already close to being labeled as "great" could cross the line when he eventually receives his highly desired rematch with Silva at some point during 2012.

Gray Maynard

While many UFC fans didn't expect Gray Maynard to fall to Frankie Edgar at UFC 136, he still remains an elite Lightweight fighter in the UFC.

Maynard, who received the first loss of his career when he was knocked out by Edgar, has set the rivalry between the two at 1-1-1.

Chances are we will see Maynard meeting Edgar at least one more time before all is said and done giving Maynard the chance to be considered one of the greatest lightweights of all time.

Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone was also considered an above average fighter since arriving to the sport of mixed martial arts in February of 2006.

But, that all changed for the better following arguably the most impressive victory of his career over Dennis Siver at UFC 136.

Cerrone, who is now making a push towards the top five in the lightweight division, will someday be great.

Urijah Faber

Despite many already recognizing Urijah Faber as a great mixed martial artist, he hasn't quite made it there just yet.

In fact, Faber has posted a sub par record of 4-4 in his last eight bouts, losing to Mike Brown on two occasions.

Fortunately for Faber, he will more than likely get a chance to prove he is worthy of being called "great" as he will square off with Dominick Cruz at some point in the near future as their rivalry sits tied at 1-1.

Alexander Gustafsson

Let's be honest, no one really knew how good Alexander Gustafsson was until he emerged to scene in his victory over Matt Hamill at UFC 133.

And, despite hardly being recognized, Gustafsson has only lost one fight in his mixed martial arts career.

At just 24 years young, Gustafsson has posted a 4-1 record since entering the UFC and is destined for greatness.

Chad Mendes

Chad Mendes, who's never lost a fight in his mixed martial arts career, will get to prove he is worthy of greatness when he squares off with current Featherweight champion Jose Also at UFC 142.

While Mendes isn't exactly the most exciting fighter, he shares a similar fighting style with that of George St-Pierre.

Mendes could move into an elite category if he were to dethrone Aldo in his next fight.

Mark Munoz

Despite falling short in a split decision to Yushin Okami at UFC Live in August of 2010, Mark Munoz has been on an absolute tear to the top of the middleweight division.

Munoz will now headline UFC 138 where he will square off with the heavy hitting Chris Leben.

With a win, Munoz will have won his fourth consecutive fight and will inch closer to a potential title fight.

Joseph Benavidez

Joseph Benavidez has been considered by many to be the number two pound for pound best bantamweight in the world.

Since entering the sport of mixed martial arts, Benavidez has won 15 of his 17 career fights with both defeats coming by the hands of current champion, Dominick Cruz.

Fortunately for Benavidez, he is on the up-slope of his career having won three consecutive fights and moving closer towards a third fight with Cruz.

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