Fighting is a crazy and unpredictable sport where anything can happen. Injuries, suspensions, and bad judging can change a fighters entire career. Despite this unpredictability, I will predict for you a future champion from (almost) every weight class and I will choose only fighters not yet in the top ten.
Flyweight (125)-None
The men’s flyweight division is too shallow for me to choose a future champion ranked below 10. The division stayed roughly the same for many years, and I believe it will continue to do so.
Bantamweight (135)-Sean O’Malley
Sean O’Malley has plenty of great qualities to propel him to a UFC belt. He’s long, powerful, has artistic striking, the best footwork in the division aside from Dominick Cruz, and the confidence of a (mentally) undefeated fighter. The UFC has pushed him hard from the jump (thanks to his marketable personality) and so as soon as they can reasonably give him a title shot, they will.
Featherweight (145)-Bryce Mitchell
This was a tough one for me. I think most people, like me, would predict that Zabit will be champion in the near future. However since he is ranked 3 in the featherweight division he doesn’t meet my criteria. I’m left with three choices: Arnold Allen, Bryce Mitchell, and Edson Barboza. Since Allen is technically ranked 10 and I want to avoid recency bias (he beat Sodiq Yusuff yesterday) that leaves Mitchell and Barboza. I picked Bryce over Edson Barboza primarily because of age. Barboza is reaching the end of his career in a stacked division while Bryce is only 26. Bryce Mitchell brings some of the craftiest Jiu Jitsu the sport has ever seen and with wins over Andre Fili and Charles Rosa, its obvious he’s the real deal. Not to mention, Thug Nasty is another guy the UFC would be more than happy to push towards a title.
Lightweight (155)-Islam Makhachev
This was the easiest one to predict. Barring injury or suspension, I think we will see the 11th ranked Daghestani wearing a gold belt within the next 3 years. Go watch his fight with Drew Dober. Honorable mention to the best fisherman in the UFC Gregor Gillespie. If he didn’t only fight once every two years, he might have made the list but to become a champion you have to win fights. To win fights you have to fight.
Welterweight (170)-Khamzat Chimaev
It’s simple brother. He smesh everyone. Assuming he recovers fully from COVID, Chimaev will be on the fast track to the 170 pound belt. I’m not saying he beats Usman, but Chimaev is only 26. Usman is 33. Father time is on the side of Chechen. There is however a dark horse in that division and his name is Sean Brady. He’s undefeated (14-0) and has already strangled two men the UFC put in front of him.
Middleweight (185)-Kevin Holland
I know what you’re thinking. “This dude just got wrestle-fucked in all of his last ten rounds”. But hear me out. Holland striking is legit and he has power (just ask Joaquin Buckley and Jacare Souza). His grappling is also good enough to not be submitted by Jacare. His problems are takedown defense and getting up from bottom but these things can be improved upon. In fact, these are things that the current 185 champion Adesanya improved upon on his way to the title. The thing that Holland really has going for him is the willingness to fight and fight often. The man who spins the slot machine 50 times has a much better chance of winning than the man who spins it twice. He’s willing to fight and the UFC will be equally willing to give him opportunities.
Light Heavyweight (205)-Jimmy Crute
I would love to choose the great Jiri Prochazka but unfortunately he does not fit the criteria. There is however something to be said for a 25 year old man who submitted Paul Craig and knocked out Modestas Bukauskas in the same year. He’s young and every fight I’ve seen him in since the contender series, he’s looked better. I think we will really see how good Jimmy Crute is after his fight with Anthony Smith.
Heavyweight (220-265)-Tom Aspinall
With some of the fastest hands at heavyweight that I have ever seen and real heavyweight power, Tom Aspinall is a problem for the fresh competition in the heavyweight division. The 28-year-old has yet to see the judges scorecards. 8 KO’s. 2 Submissions.
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