Who will be the next Ultimate Fighter Champion?
After 12 seasons of The Ultimate fighter, 130 episodes and 12 fights for a championship belt fans have ask themselves who is next in line to wear the belt. Forrest Griffin (season one) and Rashad Evans (season two) are the only TUF alums to wear the UFC gold thus far.
MMA is evolving more as a sport and really gaining tons of young athletes who have the hunger to be the best in the world. With an exciting year wrapping up we have to look at whom from the multiple seasons of The Ultimate fighter will be the next to wear the gold.
The most probable outcome would have to be Gray Maynard (10-0 MMA) who looks to enter the cage against Frankie Edgar on January 1st. Maynard has already handed Frankie his sole loss with a unanimous decision win over him in 2008. Maynard proved that his wrestling was superior and put Edgar on his back constantly from bell to bell. He has some of the best wrestling in the Lightweight division and can once again work his skills to beat Edgar. While he has improved a lot since his last fight with Maynard, he is a smaller Lightweight which could ultimately be the deciding factor while grappling in the fight.
Rashad Evans (15-1 MMA) is also well on his way with a title shot coming early next year against Mauricio Rua. Shogun will be coming off another lay off and knee surgery, and after his last return from surgery did not perform well in his first fights back. Rashad has gone back to his wrestling and ground and pound roots that could be a huge factor if Rua is held on his back the whole fight.
Ryan Bader (12-0 MMA) also has a great chance to at least be fighting for the belt early next year if he passes a very tough test against Jon Jones. Ryan has a stronger wrestling pedigree and has defiantly defeated tough competition inside of the UFC, boosting his perfect record. He has power every where the fight goes and has the wrestling to be the first to put Bones on his back during the fight and deliver strong ground and pound. It’s a very interesting matchup and if he wins could be next in line for a title fight at light heavyweight.
Twelve seasons have delivered some of the best talent we see currently fighting in the UFC, and we look forward to see what next Ultimate Fighter contestant will fight for the belt and take home the gold.
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Category: MMA, UFC, Ultimate Fighter
About the Author (Author Profile)
A college student residing in Arizona, coming off of active duty and continuing to work for the government. I hold a black belt in Hapkido, and have high school wrestling experience paired with multiple grappling tournaments. I spent six months training Authentic Muay Thai and now I am currently enrolling in Gracie B.J.J/MMA this week. I plan on starting my amateur fighting Career sometime late this year to early next year and also plan on entering B.J.J. tournaments through the year.Subscribe
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