BrianRClover

I like the threads about overrated and underrated fighters, and so they got me thinking about another factor.

I'm curious about fighters that you believe could be great, or at least much better than they are, but just don't seem to work hard enough at it to do so.

I'll start off with my top pick, then add another one later on.

For me, it's Chris Leben. I know a lot of people think he's a mid level fighter, or a gatekeeper at his best. And I can't deny that at the moment, but he truly does have some crazy skills. His striking is actually one of his least refined skills and the majority of his wins are by (T)KO based on his natural knockout power. When he isn't fighting world class wrestlers, which is few and far between anymore, his ground control is very impressive and his GnP is very active and agressive. He has wins over Patrick Cote, Jorge Santiago, and Alessio Sakara and yet sports some losses that really should have been victories (Starnes/MacDonald/Roscholt). But to me it seems like the guy that beat the first three mentioned hardly exist anymore.
I honestly think Silva broke his will back in 06. I could see a spark being relit in Chris if Anderson were to retire, or make a permanent move to a heavier weight class. Because despite skills that I think could keep him on par with most of the MWs in the world, he's not beating the Spider, ever.

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ramram22

I'm not trying to be mean, but I think Leben is a bad example.........but I would go with Vera, I'm sure theres much better examples though

Spec0688

I agree, Leben is a really bad example and I dont think he should be anywhere near this list, I think he will always be a mid-level fighter, but hey...thats what opinions are for

I would put put Jon "Bones" Jones at the top of the list, the man already looks good at the age of 22?? hes going to be a champ someday

Life B Ez

Probably won't ever know, the UFC isn't big on building prospects and allowing them to developed, one good fight and you get thrown to the wolves, than when you lose, you're a can.

If I had to pick one though, I might go Brandon Vera, good stiker, good ground game, people just don't seem to like him, I'm one of them, there is just something about the guy. So I think the UFC doesn't want to market him as a huge star. Clay Guida is another one, great cardio and good wrestling, if he got some striking his energy could really put him over the top.

Forrest Griffin too, he's a good fighter, but I think he could go a long way, possibly back to a title shot if he got some good head movement and learned to stop fighting purely on emotion when he gets hurt.

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"Discipline Hurts Less Than Regret"

K R Y

Absolutely! It's scary to think of Jones with alot of cage experience and another 5+ years of training behind him. He'll be a destroyer in a few years.

Ross Pearson is another, he looked spectacular against Aaron Riley, and leagues past where he was at against Andre Winner. I think he'll be a force in the LW division in 2 years or so. 1-2 more wins and I'd love to see him against a top 10 LW. However, he's a british fighter. And as we all know british wrestling is severely lacking, and the LW division is pumped full of top wrestlers.

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