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Some UFC champions are fighters who have exhibited title-winning potential since the early days of their promotional runs. It was clear, for example, to everyone who witnessed his UFC debut that Jon Jones was a future champion in the making. Several years later, 'Bones' has become an all-time great fighter.
Unfortunately, not every fighter who is initially predicted to be a future champion realizes their perceived potential. In some cases, fans and even the promotion itself eventually learned that some fighters never had the high ceiling they were thought to begin with.
With a new generation of fighters set to storm through the promotion, some have already carved out an image as future champions. Thus, this list takes a look at five UFC debutants who might join the likes of Khamzat Chimaev in being tipped as future champions in the promotion.
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#5. Jaqueline Amorim, UFC women's strawweight
Jaqueline Amorim is yet to make her UFC debut, but she is already a force to be reckoned with. An undefeated fighter with six wins, she is one of the most exciting prospects in women's MMA. Not only is her unbeaten record impressive, but the 27-year-old is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with an IBJJF world title.
The breadth of skills at her disposal has enabled her to defeat all six of her opponents either via submission or knockout. In a division that's sorely lacking in exciting grappling talents besides Mackenzie Dern, Jaqueline Amorim is in a very strong position once she tightens up her offensive wrestling.
The potential is there. Furthermore, youth as well as one of the greatest gyms in modern-day MMA, American Top Team, are on her side.
#4. Vitor Petrino, UFC light heavyweight
In the past, the UFC's 205 lbs weight class was a marquee division in the promotion. It once housed countless big stars ranging from Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to Forrest Griffin, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Chuck Liddell, and Tito Ortiz. Now, however, things are vastly different.
The overall skill level of the division seems to have declined, while athleticism is prioritized more than ever before. The reigning champion, Jamahal Hill, has achieved the success he has due largely to his athletic attributes. This bodes well for another power-punching athlete of freakish attributes.
Vitor Petrino is undefeated with seven wins, six of which came via knockout. As he's set to debut in the promotion, he is a force to be reckoned with in a division that's growing increasingly shallow.
#3. Raul Rosas Jr., UFC bantamweight
Jon Jones is the youngest UFC champion in the promotion's history. Raul Rosas Jr., however, is the youngest fighter to ever sign with the promotion. The 18-year-old grappling phenom earned significant attention due to his sky-high potential. Despite only being 18 years old, 'El Niño Problema' is an undefeated fighter.
With seven consecutive wins and no losses, the 10th Planet standout has finished all of his foes besides one. Additionally, he promised to dethrone Jon Jones as the youngest champion in the promotion's history. He made his official promotional debut at UFC 282 and defeated Jay Perrin within two minutes via submission.
Rosas Jr. is a tremendous athlete and, due to his youth, has ample time to absorb the deep reservoir of MMA knowledge through training and fighting.
#2. Sharaputdin Magomedov, UFC welterweight/middleweight
Sharaputdin Magomedov is the latest Dagestani sensation to sign with the UFC. Unlike other Dagestani fighters, 'Shara Bullet' operates mainly as a striker instead of relying on a suffocating grappling game. Despite the interest in Magomedov's career, it remains unknown whether he'll debut at 170 or 185 lbs.
Furthermore, his record as a professional fighter has been the subject of contention. Some sources credit him with a record of 11 wins and no losses, while other sources claim he has 17 wins and zero losses. Regardless, 'Shara Bullet' is an undefeated phenom with fearsome knockout power.
If he debuts at welterweight, Magomedov will be a dangerous threat to his foes due to his large size advantage and power. He has been dominant against every opponent he's faced and was once ranked as the top MMA fighter in Russia prior to signing with the promotion. He may very well be a champion in the making.
#1. Bo Nickal, UFC middleweight
Bo Nickal has been the subject of significant attention. The three-time NCAA Division I champion is an overpowering freestyle wrestler with an impregnable belief in his skills. The confidence he possesses is what allowed him to be as successful as he's been at wrestling.
Despite all of the hype surrounding him, 'The Allen Assassin' has only ever fought three times in professional MMA bouts. But it was the manner in which he dispatched his three foes that caught the attention of the MMA world. The most any opponent has ever spent in the cage with him is one minute and two seconds.
He finished all of his foes in a highly impressive fashion. As a middleweight, his exceptional wrestling skills are especially threatening. The middleweight division is devoid of strong wrestlers besides Derek Brunson. Thus, the striking-heavy division is quite possibly a sitting duck.
