There’s no questioning the UFC’s dominance, but there are always crops of excellence springing up throughout the MMA fiefdom. Seeing as how trading on potential energy is always more exciting than simply acknowledging what’s in front of you, the hunt for those new crops will never wane.
This is a list of one fighter in each weight class who is currently employed by a lesser promotion, but who I believe has the talent and intangibles to become a star at MMA’s highest level.
This is not supposed to be a list of the No. 1 prospect in each division or some hardcore scouting report; this is just a list of guys I think are good fighters, and who I think have star potential. Got some ideas of your own? Feel free to air them in the comments.