This season of “The Ulimate Fighter” had a lot of young prospects who hadn’t quite developed yet, all in a talented class like lightweight. Do you think many guys will drop to 145? It seems this show could really populate that division with some new faces. On a similar note, do you feel Mike Chiesa will be the fighter we really talk about from this season? His storybook ending was awesome to see, but I wonder what might happen if a fighter like Justin Lawrence cuts to 145 or what a fighter like Al Iaquinta could do with more experience on the mat. -- Huddy from Oklahoma City Mike Whitman, news editor: First off, Huddy, congratulations to your Thunder for making the NBA Finals. The team's wealth of young talent has guided the people of Oklahoma to a shot at the holiest of basketball holies. It was impressive to witness, even if everyone in the Sooner State is still drenched in Supersonic blood.
The way I see it, this is a four-dog race, be it at lightweight or featherweight. Certainly there are talented fringe guys like Vinc Pichel, Joe Proctor, Daron Cruickshank, John Cofer, Sam Sicilia and Andy Ogle who could earn a living in the Octagon with some necessary adjustments, but if I had to lay my money on a Top 4, I would go with Iaquinta, Lawrence, Chiesa and James Vick.
Yes, I know three of those four made it at least to the semifinals and the other one was the show's overall No. 1 pick. Sue me.
Obviously, all of those aforementioned fighters are projects, and they all need to add something significant to their games if they hope to thrive. I don't think there is a clear-cut favorite to be “the guy,” as they all bring different strengths to the table, even as they sport gaping holes in their various in-cage approaches. As you mentioned, Iaquinta needs to work on his ground game, while Chiesa absolutely must become less rigid while vertical if he hopes to find success in the ultra-deep waters of the UFC. How can you not love Chiesa's tenacity, mental toughness and mountain man beard, even if he does constantly leave his chin hanging out while trying to close the distance?
In regard to Vick, I tend to agree with Dominick Cruz. That kid could be a real noisemaker at 155 pounds, but it is imperative that he improves his takedown defense and develops at least some type of bottom game so he's not a doormat after being taken down.
That leaves Lawrence. No doubt this young man is an impressive prospect, but I do worry about him a little bit. At only 22 years old, he has plenty of time to further develop both his striking and submission defense, but neither of those are my biggest concerns. He looks like a million bucks when he is the hammer in the equation. When he's the nail? Not so much.
Technical aspects of the game appear to be engrained easier into a fighter than an intangible sense of resilience and defiance -- a quality much harder to teach than a proper right cross or a new guard pass. Truly great competitors almost always have it, regardless of their style, sport or whence they come.
Maybe Lawrence has it buried inside somewhere, too. It should be fun to find out.
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