Who's going to be the next American champ?

[burningspear]

I honestly thought his talent level was fine. It was more so that he was gunshy. So it's a mental hurdle.

Stop him picking his own opponents, wrestlers historically cant finish and fold when punched in the face, we need to see adversity.

 

[HHJ]

wrestlers historically cant finish and fold when punched in the face

Wrestling is the strongest.

It not a question of wrestling, its a question of the man in the cage and if he's cut out for this.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Royval is really the only one who could seemingly get a title shot soon.

Strickland probably gets gifted a title shot if Khamzat beats DDP because the UFC will feel desperate for an American champ by the end of the year, especially if Shavkat wins.

I was tempted to pick Pico who is a long shot and not even in the company, but I could see him getting Chandler privilege. But that's a sign of how bad American MMA is right now.

Like half of the previous champs were American. You're greatly exaggerating.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

This dearth of good American fighters shouldn't be legal. I think it's time for some more Executive Orders

 

[sonhow]

125: Van (will be)
135: Mix or Batista (maybe)
145:Bryce (if he doesnt switch to full time nazi -probably not)
155: no one
170:Buckley (I give him a shot especially vs Belal)
185: Strickland (Dana loves him and thinks he has a huge fanbase, this wont be his last shot unless he goes on a bad run)
205: No one
265: No one

At the moment

 

[Koala]

In all seriousness, I think Sean Brady brings a lot of hurdles for the WWs of his generation and might have lost to his worst match-up in Belal Muhammad
Not sure how Ian Garry, Giacomo, Morales, Prates, Buckley can beat him, maybe Shaved Cat
Unfortunately, he's a decision machine and will need a 7 or 8-fight win streak to get a TS

 

[Guy LeDouche]

Honestly I don’t care.
I’m American, I love America, rock flag and eagle baby.

But these international champs are showing up and putting on great fights. Topuria and DDP are my two current favorite active fighters.

Also, everybody can cry all they want, But Jones is still the Heavyweight Champion

 

[TheMadHatter]

As "next" American champion? Like, we're not going to have another American champ until some guy who hasn't even started his MMA career gets into the UFC and gets the belt?

I said long shot, but I can not think of any top American mmartists currently. I don't follow wmma so I am excluding that entirely

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

I said long shot, but I can not think of any top American mmartists currently. I don't follow wmma so I am excluding that entirely

There are a number of ranked American fighters on streaks right now. I'm not a betting man, but I'd still put money down that Fluffy, Brendan Allen, Brady, Buckley, Bautistia, Royval or even Woodson have much more chance of being champ. Thinking of top American mmartists is one thing, but the only of those qualifications that Gable meets is that he's American.

 

[Meathead Jock]

I mean, it is bad, but there is no way it's bad enough to go pick a guy who isn't even in the sport, let alone the organization, let alone the rankings

Agreed, but Im still picking Pico who isnt in the Org. But should be in the next two months.

 

[Meathead Jock]

Like half of the previous champs were American. You're greatly exaggerating.

Alright who besides Royval, and Strickland is within 2 fights of a title?

 

[Ares Black]

Jacobe Smith in a few years perhaps. He's a beast.

 

[Ares Black]

Alright who besides Royval, and Strickland is within 2 fights of a title?

Sean Brady maybe?

If he won two more fights he would be 19-1 and on a 4-fight winning streak, and the current champion is his only loss. He is relatively close to a title shot and I would favour him in a rematch.
Other than him there really aren't many current contenders.

Kayla Harrison is the most likely next American champ, albeit in a very shallow division.

 

[joy2day]

Bo Nickel after 5 more years of development

He actually regressed in his last fight, so it might be more like 10 years. He needs 5 more years just to get going in the right direction.

That's the drawback with Gable- he may turn out to be another Bo.

 

[188912345]

He actually regressed in his last fight, so it might be more like 10 years. He needs 5 more years just to get going in the right direction.

That's the drawback with Gable- he may turn out to be another Bo.

I doubt Bo will ever get there, but we will know shortly. Guessing they will try to pick and choose good fights for him to try to get him in the title picture, given the PPV main cards they have invested in him.

I think Brady or Buckley seems pretty likely to fight for the title at WW.

 

[Wreckless]

For a country ranked 3rd in terms of population behind China and India, there sure aren't that many champions.

 

[PaddyO'malley]

lives in Connecticut an' Pantoja wid American Top Team usa still on top fam Merab from Georgia too

 

[Ares Black]

He actually regressed in his last fight

I dunno about that. It was a huge step up in competition.

, so it might be more like 10 years. He needs 5 more years just to get going in the right direction.

I really don't get the Bo skepticism tbh. He is clearly super talented.

That's the drawback with Gable- he may turn out to be another Bo.

At HW he should do fine.

 

[Ares Black]

125: Van (will be)

Agree

135: Mix or Batista (maybe)

Looking forward to seeing Mix in the mix

145:Bryce (if he doesnt switch to full time nazi -probably not)

lol no way

155: no one
170:Buckley (I give him a shot especially vs Belal)

I don't rate Buckley particularly highly. Sean Brady is a much better potential champion imo.

185: Strickland (Dana loves him and thinks he has a huge fanbase, this wont be his last shot unless he goes on a bad run)

No way. Strickland is done as a contender.

205: No one
265: No one

Unfortunately agree

At the moment

 

[joy2day]

I dunno about that. It was a huge step up in competition.

Right, but that's because he had a pulse lol, he was Bo's "tough" competition having lost 4 out of his last 5 before Bo.

Point taken that I overstated that a bit; I just really don't see the kind of noticeable improvement one would expect in a fighter with potential. He has what, a full career of high-level wrestling and close to 3 years in MMA training? He just hasn't shown signs of being a dynamic performer in the Octagon. Unless he's going to be like Charles Olives or Werdum and finally hit a peak in the mid to late thirties when their skills finally improved enough, lol