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MOORE: Top Ten Pound For Pound UK Fighters in the UFC (Part Two)
Mar 18, 2012 - 6:50:41 PM MOORE: Top Ten Pound For Pound UK Fighters in the UFC (Part Two)

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Contributor

Following on from Part One earlier this week, here is the second part of my top 10 list of current UFC fighters representing the United Kingdom:

10 - CHE MILLS
9 - JOHN MAGUIRE
8 - VAUGHAN LEE
7 - DAN HARDY
6 - PAUL SASS

5 - TERRY ETIM
Age: 26
Record: 15-4
Last Fight: Loss vs Edson Barboza (Round 3 KO)
Next Fight: TBD

My high hopes of Etim recording a high profile win over Edson Barboza were literally blown away in one mesmerizing moment back in January at UFC 142.  It was further proof that, despite his undoubted talent, Terry Etim still has plenty of work to do if he is to ever reach the upper echelons of the lightweight division. At only 26 years old, his experience is almost unrivaled compared to other British fighters. He has already fought 10 times in the UFC. It's just disappointing that any momentum he builds tends to end with him running into a brick wall, namely Brazilian ones named Rafael and Edson.

He has a great physique, which often gives him a height and reach advantage over opponents. His stand up game, although still a work in progress, is vastly improved. His ground game caused major problems for BJJ Black Belt Rafael dos Anjos, before eventually succumbing to a brutal armbar when they fought in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112. He's also tied for the most "Submission of the Night" bonuses, with four of them coming Etim's way. So what's he lacking? Confidence and a self belief that he can beat the best? He was very tentative against Barboza, even after losing the first two rounds, and bar a minute or so, was never ever dominant in that fight.

It's difficult to predict right now, who his next opponent might be. Most of the mid tier lightweights are already tied up in fights over the next few months. My personal preference would have been a bout against Anthony Njokuani, but with that not possible right now. How about Michael Johnson, or even Takanori Gomi. Johnson was easily submitted by Etim's team mate Paul Sass, and would be a good fight to get his groove back. Gomi, though, provides name value, and would afford Etim a competitive fight, on any Las Vegas undercard later this year. Joe Silva tries to avoid winners vs. losers from previous fights, but for just this once...

4 - BRAD PICKETT
Age: 33
Record: 20-6
Last Fight: Loss vs Renan Barao (Round 1 Submission)
Next Fight: vs Demacio Page at UFC on FUEL 2

Every diehard UFC fan sat in the LG arena last November, and knew deep down that Renan Barao would likely ruin Brad Pickett's UFC debut. No one anticipated him being that outclassed and dominated, though, from start to devastating finish. Often thought of as a top ten fighter, that defeat saw "One Punch" slip down the pecking order in the eyes of many. Previous WEC wins over Demetrious Johnson and Ivan Menjivar, sandwiched between a close loss to Scott Jorgensen had put Pickett a fight or two away from a shot at Dominick Cruz. Sadly that's unlikely to happen anytime soon, even in a Bantamweight division that lacks a depth in quality, and quantity.

Putting his disappointment aside, the experienced and charismatic Pickett will be fully focused on getting back to winning ways against Demacio Page in Stockholm next month. At 33, although still young in MMA terms, he doesn't have too much time to get back into the higher echelons of his division. He can certainly get himself a few solid wins, whilst remaining as entertaining as ever. But sadly, the chance of him ever being more than a potential gate keeper seems unlikely now. A quick, explosive, and decisive win over a tricky opponent like Page next month though, would be a good start to getting himself back on track.

3 - JOHN HATHAWAY
Age: 24
Record: 15-1
Last Fight: Win vs Kris McCray (Split Decision)
Next Fight: vs Pascal Krauss at UFC on FOX 3

In terms of his age, current experience, and pure talent, John Hathaway has every opportunity to make a real impact in the UFC's welterweight division over the next 10 years. Already six fights into his UFC career, his momentum has only been halted once, by the experienced Mike Pyle in London back in 2010. Previous wins over Rick Story, Paul Taylor and especially Diego Sanchez amongst others, saw Hathaway touted as a future contender and one to watch in the coming years. After the Pyle loss he bounced back a year ago, with a surprisingly close split decision win over Kris McCray, but any subsequent momentum gained was halted due to an enforced injury lay off.

Pascal Krauss will provide some very stern competition in his next stateside fight this May. They were originally scheduled to fight last November in Birmingham, but Krauss withdrew early due to injury (Hathaway later withdrew from a replacement bout against Matt Brown). Krauss brings an undefeated record with him, a judo black belt, and an ever evolving ground game, thanks to time spent with both Renzo and Cesar Gracie over the past few years. John Hathaway will need to be at the top of his game for this one. This is arguably a bigger test than when he faced an unmotivated Diego Sanchez. A win wouldn't necessarily shoot Hathaway up the ranking too much, but It would however, afford him the right to face a top 10-15 ranked opponent later this year.

2 - ROSS PEARSON
Age: 27
Record: 13-5
Last Fight: Win vs Junior Assuncao (Unanimous Decision)
Next Fight: TBD

Pearson moving down to the less congested Featherweight division was absolutely the right decision to make for the TUF 9 winner. Rematches after championship fights at 155 are almost inevitable now. Add a roster full of top quality contenders, and the road to a title shot at Lightweight would have been a very long one for the Team Rough House fighter. Pearson more than proved his worth against the very talented Edson Barboza at UFC 134 last summer, to the point I personally thought he narrowly won that fight. He followed up that close loss with a tricky decision win over Junior Assuncao in his first fight at featherweight.

A rematch with Dennis Siver was rumored for UFC on Fuel 2 next month, but that fight sadly never materialized. There are plenty of options for Pearson right now but my preference would be Cub Swanson later this year. Both are coming off a victory, and with all due respect to Swanson, this fight is very winnable whilst enabling Pearson to further settle into his new weight class without the fear of being rushed. Sure i'd love to see him face a Koch, Poirier or the Korean Zombie, but that should all come in good time. Pearson is only 27 years old and there is no need to rush him before he is ready. His alliance with Dominick Cruz out in San Diego is only going to lead to good things, and good things come to those who wait.

1 - MICHAEL BISPING
Age: 33
Record: 22-4
Last Fight: Loss vs Chael Sonnen (Unanimous Decision)
Next Fight: TBD

I don't think anyone will be surprised to see Michael Bisping at the top of this list. As a winner of TUF 3, Bisping's stock has risen almost in sync with the UFC's popularity overseas. Their union has been a perfect match whilst trying to crack the UK and European markets. Whilst Bisping is without doubt a top 10, maybe top five fighter, he still hasn't comprehensively defeated a top name without some form of controversy. His recent fight with Chael Sonnen did, however, enhance his credentials in the eyes of everyone and anyone who watches the sport.

For me 2011 wasn't a stand out year for Bisping, and It's a sad reality that a defeat to Sonnen this year did more for him than both his previous victories against Jorge Rivera and Jason Miller did combined. Bisping wants to, and needs to, fight around the same time as Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva do this June. A solid victory over a credible opponent and Bisping will be next in line to fight for the Middleweight title. Tim Boetsch or Mark Munoz seem the most likely opponents. If I were Bisping and had to pick one of these two, I'd be siding with the former choice. Yushin Okami picked apart Boetsch for the best part of 10 minutes, and for me, Bisping is far more capable than Okami in the standup. With superior cardio, and high quality boxing in the pocket. Bisping is too good, and too experienced to succumb to anything Tim Boetsch can throw at him.

Whether you like it or not, one more win and Michael Bisping will be fighting for the UFC Middleweight title later this year, or early 2013, and I'll be moving hell and earth to watch it live and in person.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter and share your opinions - @dannymoore5515

[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]