UFC Prospect Doesn’t Like Jon Jones Comparisons

Don’t compare one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prospect to Jon Jones. Jones is highly regarded for his skills inside the Octagon. While his antics outside of the sport of mixed martial arts have raised eyebrows, many consider Jones to be …

Don’t compare one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prospect to Jon Jones. Jones is highly regarded for his skills inside the Octagon. While his antics outside of the sport of mixed martial arts have raised eyebrows, many consider Jones to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Many have questioned “Bones’” credibility due to two […]

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Six Future Stars The UFC Can’t Afford To Miss On

Each year, a new class of prospects catch the attention of fight fans. With Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, the biggest stars of the past few years – and perhaps ever – now gone from the sport for the time being, the UFC is in a transitionary period as Endeavor attempts to build new dependable […]

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Each year, a new class of prospects catch the attention of fight fans.

With Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, the biggest stars of the past few years – and perhaps ever – now gone from the sport for the time being, the UFC is in a transitionary period as Endeavor attempts to build new dependable pay-per-view draws.

Fighters like Sage Northcutt and Paige VanZant initially made a big impact and the expectations were high, but not all prospects pan out in the cage. Those once-hyped prospects are still around, but they’ve given way to a new crop of potential future stars who are performing in the cage in addition to having their own highly marketable qualities.

So the UFC has potential stars in their midst, but with PPV sales slumping as the promotion seems to be waiting around for McGregor to return, the time is now for them to build for the future as they cannot afford more down years by failing to promote their best chances at box office success.

With the majority of a new year of MMA ahead of us, let’s take a look at six future stars the UFC simply can’t afford to miss promoting throughout this year.

Sean O'Malley
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

6. Sean O’Malley

O’Malley captured UFC president Dana White’s attention and the exec quickly signed him.

‘Sugar’ certainly has delivered thus far, winning both of his UFC fights with stylish striking and adept grappling.

He even won his last fight after severely damaging his leg in the third round. With his charisma and fighting style, it’s no wonder the company wants to push this kid into star territory.

As O’Malley works his way up the bantamweight division, he’s certainly a fighter to watch out for. At just 23 years old, the Montana native could be a star in a post-McGregor world.

But let’s see him against a step up in competition before the hype train really starts to start. A fight against Rob Font or Thomas Almeida is a perfect test to really see where O’Malley is at, and if he wins that, the UFC should seriously consider pushing his promotion into high gear.

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Rising UFC Prospect Details Backlash For Pretend ‘Peeing All Over The Octagon’

After battering Rob Wilkinson in his UFC debut at February 10’s UFC 221 from Australia, surging middleweight prospect Israel Adesanya celebrating like no other UFC fighter had before by pretending to pee in the corner of the Octagon. The undefeated Nigerian burst onto the scene making a splash in more ways than one, but apparently […]

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After battering Rob Wilkinson in his UFC debut at February 10’s UFC 221 from Australia, surging middleweight prospect Israel Adesanya celebrating like no other UFC fighter had before by pretending to pee in the corner of the Octagon.

The undefeated Nigerian burst onto the scene making a splash in more ways than one, but apparently didn’t please his employers in the process. Recently speaking to FloCombat (via MMA Mania), ‘The Last Stylebender’ revealed the UFC told his manager they weren’t happy with him shaking his fake genitalia on FOX Sports 1.

But to him, he was just marking his territory:

“‘They told my manager that, ‘We handle a lot of sponsors, millions of dollars in sponsors. So for him to pretend to be with his dick out and shaking it after he pees as well or whatever, it’s not really a good look.’ For me, how I see it is, fuck, what are the sponsors worried about: Me pretending to whip an imaginary dick out and pee everywhere to mark my territory or just watching me just beat the fuck out of a dude? I don’t know what kind of game these sponsors are playing or whatever, but for me, I just have to make a statement. Any top dog would do it. My stench is still there. Whenever I get back into the cage, I’m sure I’ll smell it.”

Yet they weren’t all too mad with their potential future star, as he was booked for a quick turnaround against Marvin Vettori at UFC on FOX 28 on April 14.

Finishing all 12 of his MMA bouts via T/KO, Adesanya will look to extend his impressive streak of knockout wins in Glendale, Ariz. next month.

We’ll just have to see if he tones down his post-fight celebration if he does.

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UFC 221 Bonuses: Hyped Middleweight Banks $50K In UFC Debut

UFC 221 went down tonight (Saturday, February 10, 2018) from the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, and was headlined by an interim middleweight title battle between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero. Romero would win by his trademark third-round TKO, but missing weight cost him the interim middleweight title and a bonus. Instead, Performance of the […]

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UFC 221 went down tonight (Saturday, February 10, 2018) from the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, and was headlined by an interim middleweight title battle between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero.

Romero would win by his trademark third-round TKO, but missing weight cost him the interim middleweight title and a bonus. Instead, Performance of the Night bonuses went to kickboxing newcomer Israel Adesanya and Jussier Formiga.

Adesanya took care of business against Rob Wilkinson. The former Glory kickboxer had to endure a tough first round in which Wilkinson pressed his wrestling advantage as much as he could. But he tired himself out in the process and failed to slow down “The Stylebender”. Adesanya went to work breaking Wilkinson down in round two with a barrage of close quarters strikes that eventually halted the contest. Adesanya will go home $50,000 richer for his efforts.

In the opening FS1 prelim of the evening, perennial contender Formiga turned back yet another promising flyweight prospect in Ben Nguyen. A back-and-forth fight played out over the first ten minutes that saw Nguyen enjoy success on the feet and Formiga have his moments on the mat. Formiga permanently turned the tide in round three when he floored Nguyen with a spinning back fist. The Brazilian jumped on the dazed Nguyen and cinched the rear-naked choke finish moments later. Formiga will take home an extra $50K for his efforts.

The Fight of the Night played out between Australian prospect Jake Matthews and action fighter extraordinaire Jingliang Li. The fight was marred by seemingly blatant first-round eye-gouge from Li as he tried to fend off a guillotine from Matthews. The referee failed to notice it and allowed the action to continue. Matthews scored with power punches and takedowns on the defensively suspect but ever-dangerous Li throughout their encounter and wound up on the right side of a unanimous decision. Both welterweights will wake up $50,000 richer for their efforts.

Keep it locked to LowKickMMA for all your UFC 221 post-fight news, notes, and analysis.

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