The Ultimate Fighter 9: Potential Superstars

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This season of The Ultimate Fighter has given yet another set of mixed martial artists the opportunities of a lifetime; an opportunity to compete for MMA stardom, a six figure contract with the UFC, and the opportunity to compete with the world’s elite.

This season has run its course, all the way to the finals. However, with the finale fast approaching, it has become clear who still has those opportunities available.

The lightweight division featured Ross Pearson vs. Jason Dent and Andre Winner vs. Cameron Dollar in the semifinals.

Team U.S.A. failed to represent the lightweight division in the finals as each of the Brits managed to vault themselves into the finals on June 20th.

However, while the lightweight division may have been played out to the final pair, the welterweight division still has some sorting out to do.

The first semifinals of the welterweights featured DaMarques Johnson and Nick Osipczak. Johnson, the American, managed to defeat Osipczak via Unanimous Decision in an exciting battle.

However, The second fight in the welterweight semifinals is yet to happen. In this fight, Frank Lester (Team U.S.) is set to face James Wilks (Team U.K.), leaving three guys in the welterweight division with the opportunity to be “The Ultimate Fighter”.

This leaves a total of five fighters who, at this point in time, still lay claim to the chance to become “The Ultimate Fighter”. However, there can only be one winner in each division. There can only be a select few with the potential to continue down the road to success in mixed martial arts. Only a select few will prove their worth to the elite organizations.

Team U.K. certainly has proven their worth, at least in the lightweight division.

The lightweight division saw Team U.K. winning four of the six fights between the two countries, leaving two of their own in the finals. These two fighters, Ross Pearson and Andre Winner, clearly have the most potential coming out of the lightweight division.

Pearson, entered this season of “The Ulimate Fighter” with a professional record of 8-3, winning seven of his last eight fights.

During his time on the show, Pearson has managed to win each of his bouts in a different manner. Pearson ended his first fight via knockout, his second via armbar submission, and his third via unanimous decision.

Pearson has managed to work through his last three opponents, and looks to the future and beyond. Andre Winner is his next step, but that will not be an easy step by any means.

However, regardless of the outcome in the lightweight finals, this Brit has shown he can roll with the punches. An impressive run in mixed martial arts is definitely a possibility, along with a potential tenure with the UFC.

Andre Winner, the other lightweight finalist, has put together an incredible run this season. Not once having gone to a decision, Winner has managed to gain victories via knockout, TKO, and submission. He has ended each of his last two fights in the first round.

However, while Winner’s professional record is 9-2-1, five of his victories have come via decision, leaving the question of whether or not he can finish fights at a professional level. Winner has done his best to answer this question through his last three fights.

Winner’s time on “The Ultimate Fighter” has been well spent. This Brit is clear to one day fight in the UFC. If he does in fact defeat Pearson in the finals, his tenure in the UFC will begin shortly. If Winner loses, it is still very likely a UFC contract will be waiting for him.

It is clear that both these fighters have immense potential as mixed martial artists. Winner definitely holds the edge at this point over Pearson, but both fighters hold the potential to find great success in this sport, while representing the United Kingdom along the way.

Regardless of the outcome of the finale, both of these fighters could one day be UFC worthy.

Aside from the two finalists, there are two other lightweights who could possibly make a run at stardom in mixed martial arts.

Jason Dent, Pearson’s latest victim, has already fought in the UFC, acquiring losses to Roger Huerta and Gleison Tibau. With 27 professional fights, this 28 year old definitely has the experience to move on to bigger and better things. Perhaps his time on “The Ultimate Fighter” will be enough to launch him towards success.

While a second contract with the UFC may still be several victories away for this karate black belt, an opportunity in a prominent organization is all but guaranteed

The other lightweight semi-finalist also shows great potential as a mixed martial artist. Cameron Dollar has only had a handful of professional fights, but has had a successful time on “The Ultimate Fighter”. This kid is young in a sport where youth is priceless. In the right hands, Dollar may blossom into a successful fighter.

While the UFC may not be jumping to sign this youngster, the UFC executives will be keeping their eye on this former Ultimate Fighter competitor. However, with the attention Dollar achieved through his comments and trash-talking, he may have caught the attention of the right executives to land a nice fight contract. Unfortunately, a run with a smaller organization is more likely.

The lightweights have shown their worth in season nine of “The Ultimate Fighter”. One lightweight will gain a UFC contract, while others may be only a few victories away from achieving one of their own.

However, the welterweights can make the same claim.

The three welterweights remaining include DaMarques Johnson (finalist) , Frank Lester, and James Wilks.

Frank Lester and James Wilks head into the semifinals with a six-figure contract on their minds.

Lester has hit a major streak of luck since his first loss to James Wilks. Not only did Dana White bring him back after his defeat, Lester won in the quarterfinals. And not only did he win in the quarterfinals, Lester has been given a rematch with James Wilks.

Lester held a professional record of 3-2 before entering “The Ultimate Fighter”. At 25 years of age, he is still quite young, and with only five fights, ring-wear is not an issue.

However, Lester has struggled throughout his career, and if it were not for the “grace” of Dana White, he would not even be in this position.

If Lester takes advantage of his situation and defeats Wilks, he will turn some heads. However, at this point Lester has the least potential out of any fighter still remaining. A big win next week is vital for him to be considered a quality fighter for the elite organizations.

James Wilks, however, has a magnificent amount of potential.

Wilks’ time on “The Ultimate Fighter” has included a handful of submissions, and the removal of several of Frank Lester’s teeth.

Aside from his time on the show, Wilks has managed to gain notoriety in the world of mixed martial arts, along with quality experience.

Wilks represents Combat Submission Wrestling and is coached by Erik Paulson. To go along with that, he previously was sparring partners with Renato Sobral, Josh Barnett, and Joe Stevenson. He also won the Gladiator Challenge Welterweight Title before his run on “The Ultimate Fighter”.

Perhaps Wilks’ only flaw is his age. At 31, a fighters potential would seem to be lessened. However, experience is the key in this case, and Wilks definitely has accumulated plenty of that.

With the experience Wilks brings into the octagon, he houses a lot of potential in mixed martial arts. He should gain a victory over Lester and a chance for a contract with the UFC. Whether or not things play out to his advantage, Wilks will undoubtedly have a place inside the octagon, or training with the sport’s elite.

The only finalist yet to be decided from the welterweight division is also the welterweight with the most potential.

DaMarques Johnson has plowed through the competition this season has thrown his way. Johnson won his first two fights by technical knockout and submission, respectively. His third came by way of unanimous decision in an absolute brawl with Britain’s Nick Osipczak.

While Johnson’s time on “The Ultimate Fighter” has been utterly impressive, his professional record does not scream dominance.

Johnson is 9-6 while fighting professionally, an unimpressive record for what he has shown on “The Ultimate Fighter”. However, it is clear that Johnson can compete with the elite, proving there is more to him as a fighter than the relatively weak record he currently owns.

Not only has Johnson been impressive through his time on “The Ultimate Fighter”, it is undeniable that he holds the most potential from this season. He has dominated his opponents, and defeated one of Britain’s best. The future holds bright things for this 26 year old.

However, to guarantee a contract with the UFC, Johnson must win on June 20th at the season finale. That being said, whether or not he wins, it is extremely likely he will be granted that contract. With the success Johnson has shown this season, a tenure with the UFC is more than likely just around the corner.

Johnson’s previous victim, Nick Osipczak, can anticipate a contract of his own.

While Nick Osipczak may be down and out of “The Ultimate Fighter”, his time spent on the show undoubtedly gained the attention he was looking for.

Osipczak won his first two fights on “The Ultimate Fighter” via knockout, including a brutal head kick that eliminated Mark Miller from possible contention, prior to being eliminated himself. Regardless of the outcome, Osipczak proved his worth as a mixed martial artists, something he had begun doing throughout his short career.

Before his time on the show, Osipczak amassed a 3-0 record as a professional mixed martial artist, none of his victories going to the judges’ scorecards.

Nick Osipczak may be out of contention on “The Ultimate Fighter”, but he has undeniably earned his spot in mixed martial arts.

This young Brit may not gain a UFC contract through his time on “The Ultimate Fighter”, but with the way he fought DaMarques Johnson, he definitely gained the attention of Dana White. While he does not have the opportunity to fight in this season’s finale, Nick Osipzcak easily has the potential to fight in a prominent organization, and before long, fight in the UFC.

The welterweights may have a clear favorite in DaMarques Johnson, but there are several other fighters accompanying him on the road to mixed martial arts success. Do not be surprised when several of these 185 pounders pop up in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom” has given 32 fighters the opportunity of a lifetime. Both the U.S. and the U.K. have displayed their mixed martial arts prowess through the last couple of months, as the welterweights and lightweights have battled for UFC gold. The potential this season’s cast has shown is undeniable.

While one American welterweight stands out, two British lightweights do as well, along with a handful of others featured on this season. Only time will tell how much potential these mixed martial artists actually hold, and which ones are capable of gaining a shot to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.