Gymbo Knows

Sorry guys.  I went MIA for a while but I am back. I will once again give you my views on everything sports and a little extra.  I will continue to deliver my MMA Best Bets, Football Best Bets and all my upset specials.  I know I let a lot of people down with my disappearance but I’m ready to return to glory.

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Gymbo

Well here is a list of guys that have already made a little noise in the MMA world but they aren’t house hold names just yet. I know there are more quality prospects out there I’m not going to sit here and list everyone in the world. A lot of these guys have fought recently or have a fight coming up thats why they are fresh on my mind.

MMA Stars of the Future

Josh Grispi – Grispi has been on a tear lately through the 145lb division and currently holds a record of 13-1.  Grispi most recent victory comes against former world champion Jens Pulver in just 33 seconds.

Jose Aldo - If you didn’t see his 8 second flying knee KO victory over Cub Swanson then you need to go look it up.  Right now Aldo is one of the most exciting fighters in the 145lb division right now and he might be getting the next crack at 145lb king Mike Brown.

Joe Warren – Is currently 2-0 but holds wins over Chase Beebee (Former WEC Champ) and Kid Yamamoto (Former #1 Ranked featherweight King). Warren is currently in the semi-finals for the featherweight Dream Tourney.

Junior Dos Santos – Currently in the UFC and has two knock out wins in his last two fights.  One of the guys he knocked out was Werdum (Former Top 10 heavyweight). I’m not sure how well rounded he is but all I can say right now is that he’s got some heavy hands.  (8-1 overall 2-0 in the UFC)

Shane Carwin – Shane has dominated everyone they put in front of him so far in the UFC and he continues to work his way through the heavyweight rankings. Recently Knocked out former Top 10 heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga.  I know Gonzaga had him hurt and almost beat him but almost never won a race.. (11-0 overall 3-0 in the UFC)

Cain Velasquez – Another great heavyweight prospect in the UFC.  Cain has scary good wrestling skills and is dominating opponents at will.  Cain has recently defeated Cheick Kongo via unanimous decision at UFC 99. Cain wrestling ability might be the best in the heavyweight division.

Bobby Lashley - Bobby is a former WWE wrestler trying to make the conversion over to real fighting and so far he’s doing a fine job.  Bobby Lashley is taking his time fighting on smaller shows and wants to work his way up to the UFC.

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal – King Mo is known for his flashy entrances where he comes to the ring sporting the look of a King/Pimp and is normally escorted to the ring by beautiful Japenese women. His fighting style kind of reminds me of smaller Rampage Jackson.

Phil Davis – Great wrestler from Penn State trying to make a career in MMA like so many other wrestlers.  Phil is very talent and a dangerous opponent for anyone.  He is currently fighting in smaller shows but expect to hear his name more and more. 

Johny Hendricks – Johny Hendricks was the NCAA Division I wrestling champ 2005 and 2006 and is now making the transition over to MMA.  Mr. Hendricks is 5-0 and he will be making his Octagon Debut at UFC 101 in Philly against the always dangerous Amir Sadollah.

Top 10 Heavyweights

1. Fedor Emelianenko – Simply the best heavyweight fighter right now. He’s just levels above the heavyweight division.  Fedor will face Barnett in August which should make for an awesome fight.

2. Josh Barnett – Great fighter but we’ll see how good he really is when he meets up with Fedor in August. Barnett has the skills to beat Fedor but can he pull off the upset.  We shall see..

3. Frank Mir – Great performance against Nog to win the title.  Now must face Brock Lesnar in a rematch in UFC 100.  I doubt he’ll win the fight against Brock Lesnar this time. For now he’s ranked 3rd.

4. Brock Lesnar – Solid performance against Randy Couture.  He is getting better every fight and that is scary for the rest of the division.  I think he’s gonna rough up Frank Mir and become the official champion.

5. Randy Couture – Fought hard against Brock but was clipped by the very large hands of Brock Lesnar.  He faces off against Nog which fans have wanted to see for a while now.  I got a feeling Randy is going to take it to Nog and face the winner of Mir and Brock Lesnar.

6. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – Looked old against Mir but he will look to regroup against Randy Couture.  If he can beat Randy he’ll get a crack at either a rematch with Mir or a showdown with the big man Brock Lesnar.

7. Allistar Overeem – Possible bout with Brett Rogers on the horizion for the Strikeforce title.

8. Tim Sylvia – Tim will be testing his boxing skills against former heavyweight champ Ray Mercer on June 13th.  I don’t know if beating a 50 year old guy in boxing makes you a good boxer eh but what do I know.  Either way he’s got a good fight withPaul Buentello coming up on the Affliction card in August.

9. Brett Rogers – Some how got a fight with Andre Arlovski and then some how knocked him out in 22 seconds.  This guy saw a golden oppurtunity and didn’t let it go to waste.  I’m not sold on him completely but I want to see him fight more top fighters.

10. Andre Arlovski – I’m not sure what is next for Andre.  He was suppose to box June 23rd but that won’t happen since he was knocked out by Brett Rogers in 22 seconds.  Not only did Brett knock out Andre Arlovski but he put Andre’s pro boxing debut on hold.

Honorable mentions: Junior Dos Santos, Shane Carwin, Mirko Cro Cop, Aleksander Emelianenko, Jeff Monson, Ben Rothwell, Fabricio Werdum.

Related articles

• Fedor Emelianenko set to face Josh Barnett on Aug. 1 (sports.espn.go.com)