Who's the next MMA fighter to hit the big time?

[MEB Boy]

There are many very talented MMA fighters and grapplers who've been training for years now and competing in local, smaller venue shows for awhile?
Who are some of the fighters that you feel are ready or able to make waves in the national or international world (ie UFC, PRIDE, etc) now? Or who is ready to make the leap?

Heath Herring and Josh Barnett are now A level fighters who made the leap in the last 2 yrs. BJ Penn is a grappling phenom who has taken the MMA world by storm this last year. I knew he was a world-class grappler, but I thought he would lose to Din Thomas in the MMA ring. Boy was I wrong. I look forward to a fight w/ him vs Rumina Sato.....that would be pure talent at it's best.

I think Rich Franklin is a heavyweight fighter (who's undeafeated), who is ready now to make a name for himself in the big-time MMA tournaments. He wins in impressive fashion, and I've only seen a few of his fights, including his vicious KO of Gary Meyers, but he keeps on winning.

I've read alot of good things about Sean Sherk, but I've never seen any of his fights, but it sounds like he needs to be in a main event in the UFC or PRIDE.

I look forward to the fight between Yves Edwards and Matt Serra. That should be good and the winner could go on to more UFC's down the road w/ other great fighters.

Does anyone know any other pertinent info on the above listed fighters? Am I on target or am I missing the boat?
Also, what other local or less well known fighters are now ready to do well in the big-time MMA shows?

Anderson Silva just shocked the world w/ his win over Sakurai. Damn, I haven't seen any of his fights yet, but I look forward to them. I hope the ADCC site is wrong though, and that he's not going to fight Matsui in the upcoming PRIDE. Matsui outweighs him by 30+ lbs.

So, who are the othe less-well known but highly talented MMA fighters who'll make their name known in the national/international tournaments this upcoming year?

MEB Boy

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

I personally would like more of the Shooto fighters come and fill the lower weight classes for the UFC. The 155 lbs division is stacked, but the divisions below are empty.

[MEB Boy]

Is there a weight division below 145 lbs in the UFC?
Who are some MMA fighters in the 130 lb range? I really can't think of any right now, but then I haven't reallly followed Shooto either.

MEB Boy

[fil]

Rich Franklin will be moving down to 205 pounds. Lots of potential.

Sherk a solid 170 contender, very fast takedowns.

No UFC 145 division, and they dont plan on adding any more weight divisions. The best 130 pounder would be shooto champ Mamoru.

Other prospects:
Fedor, heavyweight
Ronald Jhun 185
Joe Doerkson 185
Jason Black 170
Genki Sudo 155

[MEB Boy]

Hey fil,
I know I've heard the name Fedor, but I don't think I've seen any of his fights. Is he the guy the beat Leo Castello Branco by quick kneebar in the Rings Tournament? Who else has he fought?

I forgot about Ronald Jhun. I saw all of his fights in Superbrawl until I left HI in 2000. He really improved every fight he was in and really started to dominate every opponent. But Erik Paulsen did positionally dominate him for their whole 3 round fight. He was never caught in a sub, but Paulsen had him defending against them the entire fight. But that was awhile back and I would agree that he's ready for the time now. He would definately make a name in the 185 lb UFC weight bracket.

What about Ben Erwood (sp?)? He impressively won his weight division in Superbrawl awhile back and seems to have a pretty good track record. Is he ready for the top names in the 170 lb bracket?


MEB Boy

[fil]

Originally posted by MEB Boy
Hey fil,
I know I've heard the name Fedor, but I don't think I've seen any of his fights. Is he the guy the beat Leo Castello Branco by quick kneebar in the Rings Tournament? Who else has he fought?

That was old man Kypolov that beat Castello Branco. Fedor has wins over Arona and Babalu in RINGS.

I forgot about Ronald Jhun. I saw all of his fights in Superbrawl until I left HI in 2000. He really improved every fight he was in and really started to dominate every opponent. But Erik Paulsen did positionally dominate him for their whole 3 round fight. He was never caught in a sub, but Paulsen had him defending against them the entire fight. But that was awhile back and I would agree that he's ready for the time now. He would definately make a name in the 185 lb UFC weight bracket.

He has been fighting alot in the past year and seems to have made a significant improvement in his game, has a very solid win recently over very experienced and bigger fighter Dave Strasser. One thing I dont understand is why he doesnt take advantage of his weight which is usualy barely over 180 and either bulk up or cut down to 170 like many fighters do.

What about Ben Erwood (sp?)? He impressively won his weight division in Superbrawl awhile back and seems to have a pretty good track record. Is he ready for the top names in the 170 lb bracket?

Both he and Sherk already faught in previous UFC's (non televised preliminary fighter), I have never seen him fight but he is a fairly experienced fighter with two decision losses to Alessio and CJ Fernandez a while back. One of the problems with guys like Sherk and I believe Earwood is that the new UFC owners dont want two fighters managed by the same person in the UFC (Monte Cox is hurt bad by this guideline). So if Menne is in the 185 division then no Doerkson or Jermaine Andre and if Miletich is in the 170 division then no Sherk, Matt Hughes, Earwood, Jason Black, Cj Fernandez.

If you want to find out about a fighters record, a good source would be www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.cfm