The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has been around for quite some time now, and has produced many talented fighters over the years. TUF debuted in 2005 and has been a pipeline for talented fighters and future champions.
Here is a list of fighters that I believe will attain UFC gold in the near future:
Ranking the likely future champions from TUF
A good amount of UFC champions got their MMA stardom by way of The Ultimate Fighter. The show has also produce some high-level talent for the organization, regardless of them holding a title. With 28 seasons under their belt, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the current fighters making a buzz and rank the likely future champions. Take a look at our list of the most dominant TUF winners still fighting today.
#5. Tony Ferguson
Dana White has mentioned that Ferguson will most likely get the next shot at the belt vs Khabib. The two have been scheduled to fight a number of times and Ferguson has shown he is a top contender. He won his last fight against Anthony Pettis, which was due to corner stoppage because Pettis broke his hand. I think without the injury, that Pettis would have won that fight, but a win is a win. The fight itself was incredible as well, both fighters were landing hard, and this ended up being fight of the year only going two full rounds! It will be hard to deny Ferguson a chance to win the undisputed belt when he was an interim champion, being scheduled to defend that belt before he had a freak accident knee injury. Ferguson should get an opportunity to fight for the belt before the year is over, and it would be a crime if he did not receive his shot.
#4. Michael Chiesa
Chiesa just recently made the move up to the welterweight division, and it proved to be a good choice. There is still much to prove in the striking department for Chiesa, but his ground game looks to be one of the best in the UFC. He stopped Carlos Condit with a one-armed kimura. There is no way that has ever been done before in the UFC. He looks strong and comfortable in the new division, it is clear the weight cut down to lightweight was too much for his body to handle. He is a couple fights away from getting his shot although the welterweight division is full of talent awaiting their turn for a shot at the belt. He should climb the ranks quickly and establish himself as a true contender with a few more fights.
#3. Kelvin Gastelum
Kelvin Gastelum has his title shot coming against Robert Whittaker on February 10th at UFC 234. Gastelum had a hard time making weight at welterweight and had to make the move up to middleweight, which appears to have served him well. The two of these fighters squared off as coaches on Season 28 of TUF, which is fitting since that was Gastelum's way into the UFC. Kelvin likes to stand and engage in striking affairs with many wins coming by way of TKO, but he is no slouch on the ground either. This fight looks to feature a large amount of striking as Whittaker also prefers to fight standing up.
#2. Kamaru Usman
Usman is currently riding a 13-fight win streak. He already has his title shot lined up for UFC 235 on March 2nd against Tyron Woodley, who will look to defend his title for the 5th time. Usman has shown he can go the distance and even go 5 rounds, with his most recent fight vs Rafael Dos Anjos in November that won him fight of the night honors. Usman uses his wrestling to amass takedown after takedown, where he successfully took down RDA 24 times in 5 rounds. Yes, 24 takedowns. Woodley is also an excellent wrestler which will make this a great fight and hard to choose who wins. Woodley claims to always have another trick up his sleeve and has proven so. You do not get to your 5th title defense without being a world class fighter, and Woodley is that. Either man could walk away with this fight with an emphatic win.
#1. Tatiana Suarez
Suarez is currently ranked #3 in the strawweight division and has made a serious case to be the next title contender. Rose Namajunas is scheduled to face Jessica Andrade at UFC 237, however, Suarez should be next in line after her recent victory over former champion, Carla Esparza, back in September. She is undefeated riding a 7-fight win streak, asserting herself as a dominant consistent presence in the division. If Andrade wins, does Rose get a rematch? This might slow down the process a little bit, but the title shot is inevitable. Suarez has shown the ability to take the fight where she wants to and has the gas tank to go a full 3 rounds. However, we have yet to see her in championship rounds in the UFC. She has shown she is a complete fighter and at the top of her class. Whoever has the belt when Suarez gets her shot, should be ready for a long night.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Hall
The only problem with Ryan Hall, is he’s way too good on the ground. In his most recent fight, he shot for a leg against BJ Penn, and in one swift motion secured a heel hook that made Penn tap almost instantly. He should have tapped earlier because it appeared he suffered an injury. How do you tap out earlier than instantaneously? For this reason, it is hard for Ryan Hall to get a fight. People do not want to fight him because he specializes in leg locks, and fighters do not want to get hurt the way Penn may have. If Hall has more fight opportunities, he should rise to the top of the division quickly.
Connor “Rags” Rogowsky is a The Scrap’s Co-Founder and a MMA writer during his free time. Rogowsky played football and track collegiately, and holds a Masters of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.
