Last year was another big one for emerging prospects with the largest MMA promotions. Ben Askren, Evan Dunham, Cole Konrad, Phil Davis, Demetrious Johnson, Shane del Rosario and Michael MacDonald, just to name a few, all had big 2010's.
Heavy.com put together a list of fighters the UFC should be looking at in 2011. Some of the most intriguing young names are:
Vitor Vianna (MMA record: 10-1-1)
Vianna is the star pupil of MMA legend Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva. He is a two-time world Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and a six-time National jiu-jitsu champion in Brazil. In addition to his grappling prowess, Vianna is also a dangerous striker with vicious punching power similar to his mentor Silva.
Vianna tried out for The Ultimate Fighter 13 so there is a very good chance he will compete on the reality series, especially if Silva ends up coaching.
Yuri Villefort (MMA record: 6-0)
Villefort is another young prospect that could make waves in the UFC’s welterweight division. The American Top Team product is a truly refined mixed martial artist. His standup ability seems to be his strongest asset but he is also very capable on the ground and in the clinch. The unbeaten welterweight is improving at a rapid rate and would be a wise signing for the UFC.
Chris Weidman (MMA record: 4-0)
A product of the Serra-Longo fight team on Long Island, NY, Weidman is the most promising middleweight prospect in MMA entering 2011. A former wrestling coach at Hofstra University, Weidman was a former two-time NJCAA and two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler prior to entering the sport and holds a wrestling win over UFC light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader.
His phenomenal athleticism and superb wrestling base make him a handful for any fighter in the division. He could be a future champion and if he isn’t signed to a UFC contract this year he will get there with time.
The fighters are coming in droves and from all over the world. The 20-25-year-olds on the way, who've been training in all aspects of MMA from a young age, should be incredible over the next few years.
Helpful tip for MMA bloggers: Stop writing that any division is going to run out of contenders to fight for the title in the future.
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