UFC Rising Star Thread

[JWGunslinger]

I've decided to revive a thread idea I started up last year, a review of one of the hot young stars in the UFC and a choice for you decide whether they are a future contender, gatekeeper, journeyman or doomed to be cut. Also after your review of the initial fighter you may post a piece on a fighter you wish to talk about and the same judging will be applied. This time the star of our thread will be Stipe Miocic.

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Stipe Miocic
9-0 MMA/3-0 UFC
Former Golden Gloves Boxing Champ
NCAA Division 1 Wrestler
NAAFS Heavyweight Champion
UFC Bonuses: 1 Knockout Of The Night

Breakdown
Miocic is one of the hottest young stars in the UFC's boiling heavyweight division, he's got a fight against Stefan Struve coming up that will clear up the standings of the division a little more but let's see what he brings to the table so far.
Before MMA the Cleveland based Croatian had a very successful wrestling career at Cleavland state, ranking nationally among the likes of Ryan Bader and King Mo Lawal. He had a successful stint as a golden gloves boxer and then went on to mixed martial arts. There he went on a 6 fight win streak with all first and second round knock outs to win the NAAFS title before getting the call from the UFC.

His first UFC fight was against tough bruiser Joey Beltran where he battered the tough vet to win a decision, this would be the only time Stipe has gone into the third round and to the final bell. Then he got matched up with British submission specialist Phil De Fries and disposed of him in 43 seconds for a KOTN bonus. Most recently at UFC 146 he TKO'd dangerous striker Shane Del Rosario in a fight of the night worthy bout.

Verdict
This guy is definitely a contender in my book, he's taken the division by storm and has dominated everyone he has faced. He's gone to a decision only once in 9 fights and all his other fights have come by knock out or TKO. He'll have his biggest test against Stefan Struve and that will be very telling but I expect him to win there as well. He's an excellent striker, he does a very good job of using his wrestling to avoid being put on his back. He also does a very good job of throwing his opponent down with a single leg and immediately jumping on them with ground and pound. I think he's going to be in the UFC for a long time, he's going to continue to grow and improve and I could see him wear the belt one day, not anytime soon but some day. He's Cro Cop Jr and I expect great things from this young man. Contender

Now it's your turn, what does the future hold for Stipe Miocic and who else do you think deserves a mention as one of the UFC's rising stars?

 

[Infinity]

Well, he's getting (in my opinion) his first legitimate test in the Heavyweight division against Struve. Struve is a guy that a lot of people respect but has been a sort of gate keeper for the UFC. People that Struve defeats tend to disappear, and people that beat him seem to rise. That being said, Miocic will probably defeat struve.

But can he hang in there with the likes of Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos? To that I say no, but he's a rising star for sure. The thing with MMA, we just never really know. ie. Hector Lombard. I can honestly see him being ranked Top 5 Heavyweights within 18 months. That definitely makes him a contender in my eyes.


The person I'd like to throw out for discussion is Glover Teixeira. He's a bonafide veteran that Dana White has wanted in the UFC for a while, but couldn't get his visa to fight in the US. I'm afraid he'll be the next Hector Lombard, somebody with success outside of the UFC that filzzles with real competition... but unlike Lombard, he won his UFC debut pretty convincingly.

Dana is throwing him into the mix immediately with having him take on Rampage. I feel like Dana White is convinced that Glover is the real deal, and this is why he was more than happy to put him in a match with Rampage. After Shogun DUCKED Glover, (yes, straight up ducked him to fight Vera instead) Dana put him against Rampage. I know Dana is pissed at Rampage and he's begging Glover to give him a swift kick in the ass on his way out of the UFC.

Glover is 18-2 with a 16 fight win streak after starting his career 2-2, but to call this guy a contender we'd have to legitimately believe he'd be a threat to Jon Jones.... so, is he?

After watching his last 3 fights, Kingsbury in the UFC, Rico Rodriguez at some weird show, and Eastman at Shooto 25... I just don't see it. I don't see how he could beat Jon Jones right now. He reminds me of Shogun Rua... and Shogun couldn't do it either.

 

[JWGunslinger]

I agree on Miocic hanging with the big guys but not beating the JDS and Reem's, maybe some day but not any time soon.

Teixiera is another great one to talk about, I was at 146 when he made his debut and I gotta say the dude was scary. Super talented and super tough, everyone figured he'd beat Kyle pretty soundly but damn he didn't even give the guy the opportunity to land punches, he battered him with punches, smothered him on the ground and got a beautiful arm triangle.

As for how he'll do against tougher competition I think he'll be fine, I don't like when guys get super hyped but his is well deserved and didn't come in with the same build as Lombard considering barely anyone heard about it aside from the hardcore crew and his fight was I believe the second or third fight of the night. But he'll be good against Rampage, the guy has lost his fire and while he can always catch someone is not as dangerous as he once was. I don't think he'll beat Jones but then again I don't think anyone other than Henderson will have much of a chance at that, I say Glover beats just about everyone aside from maybe Jones, Machida and Rashad. Personally I'd love to see him mix it up with Gustaffson soon, that would be a great match and one that would be very telling in regards to who gets the shot after Machida. Considering that I think he'll be a very tough gatekeeper and will only fall to the very best at 205.

 

[Infinity]

It's funny, I said he reminds me of Shogun and then 2 days later they're talking about Shogun's next fight will likely be against either Glover or the guy you just mentioned... Gustaffson. I'd also love to see Glover take on Gusta but part of me doesn't want either fighter's star to stop rising yet, and putting them against each other will obviously cause one to at least stall.

I agree about Rampage. I'm sick of him. I've been sick of him. I lost a lot of respect for him during The Ultimate Fighter with him & Rashad. Rashad came off extremely professional and genuine. He cared greatly for his teammates, and at one point even consoled a Rampage team member after a loss when Jackson selfishly walked away from him. Then, of course, Rampage goes Hollywood. I hate how Rampage then starts bitching about Dana and the UFC when he's disrespected them and the fans first.

I digress... back to Glover and Gusta. Who do you think would win that fight? Personally, I'd be rooting for Glover but I don't think his power matches with Alex's. Glover's got a better ground game but I imagine Gustaffson's strength and athleticism would make it hard to keep him on his back. I could see him catching Glover right on the chin to buckle his knees and end the fight with strikes.

 

[JWGunslinger]

I would love to see Gustaffson face Shogun, I personally think if he survived Rua's early onslaught he would beat him and it would be a massive feather in his cap. As much as Alex vs Glover would be awesome I do agree that it would suck to see one of them take a loss right now so maybe have that one on hold for later, but as for who would win(love both of em) I think I'd have Gustaffson by Decision.
I imagine it would be alot like Alexander's last fight but Glover would probably have more offense to fight back with, but in the end Gustaffson's major improvements over the last few months and his utilizing his range would get him the win. I still stand by my statement that nobody has a clear chance against Jones than Hendo but I think he'll find his next toughest fight against The Mauler.